Frequently Asked Questions

Shelta is a parental control app that uses Apple’s FamilyControls framework to protect your child’s iPhone or iPad. It lets you block apps, set bedtime schedules, limit screen time, and control content ratings — all from a simple web dashboard. Shelta is not spyware. We don’t read messages, track browsing, or monitor activity. We set boundaries, not surveillance.

Shelta costs $4.99/month or $39.99/year (that’s about $3.33/month). Every plan starts with a free 7-day trial so you can make sure it works for your family before you pay anything. You can cancel anytime.

Shelta works with iPhones and iPads running iOS 17 or later. This includes most devices from the iPhone XS and iPad (7th generation) onwards. We don’t support Android devices at this time.

Yes. Your child needs their own Apple ID, and they must be part of your Apple Family Sharing group. This is how Apple verifies the parent-child relationship and allows Shelta to apply FamilyControls protections. If your child doesn’t have an Apple ID yet, you can create one for them through Family Sharing in just a few minutes.

No. Shelta’s protections are enforced through Apple’s FamilyControls framework, which can only be revoked with parental approval through Apple’s Family Sharing. Your child cannot uninstall the protections, disable them, or bypass them with a VPN. The only way to remove Shelta is with the parent’s Apple ID and explicit approval.

No, absolutely not. Shelta is a safety net, not a spy tool. We never read your child’s messages, monitor their calls, track their browsing history, access their photos, or record their screen. We only enforce the restrictions you set (like app blocks and screen time limits) and report when those restrictions are triggered — for example, if a blocked app is attempted.

Install the Shelta app on the new device, generate a new setup code from your dashboard, and enter it on the new device. Your child’s protection settings carry over automatically — you don’t need to reconfigure everything from scratch.

Yes. Each child has their own profile with completely independent settings. You can give your teenager more freedom than your younger child, set different bedtimes, or block different apps for each one. All managed from the same dashboard.

Use Travel Mode in Device Security on your dashboard to temporarily relax protections. This is handy for vacations, special occasions, or when your child needs access to something that’s normally blocked. Toggle it on when needed, and turn it off when you’re done to restore full protection.

Go to Settings → Billing in the Shelta dashboard at shelta.app. You can cancel your subscription anytime with no fees, no contracts, and no hassle. If you cancel, your child’s protections remain active until the end of your current billing period.

Yes. We take security very seriously — we’re protecting children, so we don’t cut corners. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We collect minimal data, never share it with third parties, and comply with COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act). You can read our full privacy policy at shelta.app/privacy for details on exactly what we collect and why.

Email us at support@shelta.app. We’re real people who care about helping families, and we typically respond within a few hours. You can also check our Troubleshooting guide and other Help Center articles for quick answers to common issues.