You cannot change the birthdate on an Apple ID created for a child under 13 without Apple's help, and the process depends on whether the account was set up through Family Sharing or created independently.

Apple locks the birthdate field on accounts created for children under 13 because of federal law (COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). This means you cannot straightforward edit the date yourself in Settings. When your child turns 13, you have two paths: request that Apple unlock the account so you can change it, or wait until your child can manage their own account and update it themselves.

The reason for this restriction matters: Apple is legally required to treat accounts differently based on age, and changing a birthdate without verification could let someone bypass those protections. Understanding which path applies to your situation will save you time and frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • Birthdates on child accounts are locked by Apple and cannot be edited through normal Settings—you must contact Apple Support to request a change.
  • If the account was created through Family Sharing, you can request the change as the family organizer, but Apple will ask you to verify your identity and your child's birthdate.
  • If your child created the account independently or you do not have Family Sharing set up, your child may need to request the change themselves once they turn 13.
  • Apple typically responds to these requests within a few business days, but the process is not automatic and requires you to contact them directly.
  • Once your child turns 13, they can eventually manage their own account independently, though they may still need parental permission to remove Family Sharing controls.

How Apple ID age restrictions work for children under 13

When an Apple ID is created for someone under 13, Apple applies special restrictions to protect the account. The birthdate cannot be edited in Settings, certain features are limited or turned off, and the account is tied to a parent or guardian through Family Sharing. These restrictions exist because of COPPA, a U.S. federal law that requires companies to get parental consent before collecting data from children under 13.

The locked birthdate is not a bug or a security measure you can bypass—it is intentional. Apple treats accounts differently based on age, and allowing someone to change their own birthdate would defeat the purpose of those protections. This is why you cannot straightforward open Settings, tap your child's name, and edit the date yourself.

Requesting a birthdate change through Family Sharing

If you set up your child's account through Family Sharing (the most common way), you are the family organizer and can request the change on their behalf. Start by opening the Settings app on your own device, tapping your name at the top, then selecting Family Sharing. Find your child's name in the list and tap it. You will see their account details, but you still cannot edit the birthdate directly—you have to contact Apple.

Go to Apple Support online or call Apple Support at 1-800-MY-APPLE. Tell them you need to update your child's birthdate because they have turned 13. Have ready: your child's full name, their Apple ID email address, their current birthdate on file, and their actual birthdate. Apple will ask you to verify your identity as the family organizer, usually by answering security questions or confirming recent purchases on your account.

Once Apple verifies you, they will unlock the birthdate field temporarily so you can change it. You will receive instructions via email or through your Apple account. The change usually takes effect within a few hours, though Apple may take a few business days to process the request.

What to do if your child does not have Family Sharing set up

If the account was created without Family Sharing—for example, if your child created it themselves or you set it up outside the Family Sharing system—the process is different. In this case, your child may need to request the change themselves once they turn 13, since Apple will not have you listed as the account manager.

Your child can contact Apple Support directly and explain that they have turned 13 and need their birthdate updated. Apple will ask them to verify their identity by answering security questions or confirming their recovery email. Once verified, Apple will unlock the field and let them change it. This usually takes a few business days.

If you want to avoid this step, you can try contacting Apple Support as the parent and explaining the situation. Bring proof of your relationship to your child (like a birth certificate or ID with the same address) and your child's account details. Apple may work with you, but they are not required to, so there is no may provide they will change it without your child's direct request.

What happens after the birthdate is updated

Once Apple changes the birthdate to 13 or older, the account restrictions begin to lift. Your child will gain access to features that were previously blocked, like certain apps, in-app purchases, and content that requires age verification. However, Family Sharing controls do not automatically disappear—your child remains part of your family group until you or they remove the account from Family Sharing.

If you want your child to have full independence from Family Sharing, that is a separate process. You can remove them from your family group through Settings, or they can request to leave once they are old enough. The exact age at which they can manage this varies by country, but in the U.S. it is typically 13 or older.

Common reasons the request gets delayed or denied

Apple may ask for additional information if the birthdate change seems unusual—for example, if you are requesting a change years after the account was created, or if the new birthdate does not match other information on file. Bring documentation if you have it: a birth certificate, school records, or a government ID showing your child's actual birthdate.

If Apple suspects fraud or account misuse, they may deny the request and ask you to verify ownership of the account in other ways. This is rare but can happen if the account has been flagged for suspicious activity. If this occurs, be honest with Apple about why you are requesting the change and provide as much documentation as you can.

Preventing problems before your child turns 13

If your child's account is still under 13 and you have not yet set up Family Sharing, do it now. This makes the birthdate change much simpler when the time comes, because you will be listed as the account manager and Apple will recognize your authority to request changes. You can set up Family Sharing through Settings on your own device in just a few minutes.

Keep your child's original birthdate written down somewhere safe. When you contact Apple, you will need to provide both the birthdate currently on file and the correct birthdate. Having this information ready will speed up the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Apple to change a child's birthdate?

Apple usually responds to birthdate change requests within a few business days. Once they verify your identity and unlock the field, the change takes effect within hours. The entire process from your first contact to the updated birthdate is typically three to five business days, though it can be faster if you reach Apple Support during peak hours.

Can my child change their own birthdate once they turn 13?

Not when ready. Even after turning 13, the birthdate field remains locked for a period of time. Your child will need to contact Apple Support themselves to request the change, just as you would. Apple will verify their identity before unlocking the field. Once unlocked, they can edit it themselves.

What if I do not remember my child's original birthdate on file?

Contact Apple Support and explain the situation. Have your child's Apple ID email address and your own identity verification ready. Apple can look up the birthdate on file in their system and help you confirm it before making any changes. You may need to answer security questions to prove you are the account manager.

Will changing the birthdate remove parental controls?

No. Updating the birthdate removes age-based restrictions on features and content, but Family Sharing controls remain in place. Your child will still be part of your family group and subject to any screen time limits, purchase approvals, or other controls you have set up. You must separately remove them from Family Sharing if you want them to have full independence.

Can I change my child's birthdate if they are already 13 but the account still says they are younger?

Yes, the process is the same. Contact Apple Support with your child's account details and your identity verification. Apple will update the birthdate regardless of how old your child actually is. This sometimes happens if the original account was created with an incorrect birthdate by mistake.