eSAFETY GUIDE

Apple ID

13+
Minimum age according to Apple (or younger with the permission of a parent or guardian)
13+ Minimum age according to Apple (or younger with the permission of a parent or guardian)

What is an Apple ID?

An Apple ID is a personal account used to access all Apple services and products, ensuring Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and computers function together seamlessly. This includes services such as the App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/facetime], Siri[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/siri] and many more. You sign up for an Apple ID with an email address and a secure password. Your account includes all the information you use to sign in, as well as the contact, payment and security details used across Apple services. It is recommended that you use two-factor authentication to secure your account and protect your personal information.

Family Sharing lets you and up to five other family members share access to Apple services. To access Family Sharing, each family member needs their own Apple ID. Children under the age of 13 need a parent or guardian to set up their Apple ID. Family sharing lets family members share subscriptions to music, film, TV and games and gives children access to Apple services, while also allowing parents and guardians to easily set age-based parental controls[https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls]. Apple IDs can be used to share your location and to track the location of linked devices. 

An in-app option allows Australians to report nude images directly to Apple, if they are flagged by the Communication Safety or Sensitive Content Warning feature. Communication Safety is switched on by default for the accounts of Australian children under 13 who are part of a Family SharingExternal link[https://www.apple.com/au/family-sharing/] group. Children who are 13 or older and adults can opt-in to Sensitive Content Warnings.

Apple does not share user or device usage data from Apple ID accounts with advertisers or third-party companies for advertising purposes.

Website: appleid.apple.comExternal link[https://appleid.apple.com/]

How do people use Apple IDs?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use online accounts like Apple IDs.

Apple IDs are used for: content sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/content-sharing], encrypted[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/encrypted], gaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/gaming], in-app purchasing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/in-app-purchasing], live streaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/live-streaming], location sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/location-sharing], messaging/online chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/messaging-online-chat], online relationships[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/online-relationships], photo/video sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/photo-video-sharing], screen capture[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/online-tools-and-features/screen-capture], video calling[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/video-calling], voice chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/voice-chat] and voice command.

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Apple ID:

These links are provided by Apple and Apple ID:

Last updated: 30/10/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parentsExternal link, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and appsExternal link and mental wellbeing resources for familiesExternal link.