Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all! We designed Shelta for busy parents, not IT professionals. If you can plug in a USB cable and follow on-screen instructions, you can set up Shelta. Our setup guide walks you through every single step, and we're always here to help if you get stuck.

Shelta works with iPhones and iPads running iOS 15 or later. This includes most devices from the iPhone 7 and iPad (6th generation) onwards. We don't support Android devices at this time, but it's something we're exploring for the future.

Yes! You can add as many devices as you need to your Shelta account. Each device can have its own settings, so you can give your teenager more freedom than your younger child.

Yes, each child should have their own Apple ID. This allows them to have their own iCloud account, iMessage, and App Store purchases. If you haven't set one up yet, you can create a child Apple ID through Family Sharing.

Great question! Supervision is a special mode built into iOS by Apple. To prevent bad actors from taking over someone's phone, Apple only allows supervision to be enabled during the initial device setup (the "Hello" screen). This means the device needs to be reset first. Here's what your child keeps: • Photos and videos (synced through iCloud Photos) • Contacts (synced through iCloud) • App purchases (can re-download free from App Store) • Game progress (if the game uses cloud saves) The device will be set up fresh, then your child signs into their Apple ID to get their stuff back.

We wish you could! Unfortunately, restoring from an iCloud backup removes Shelta's protection. This is an Apple limitation that affects all parental control apps using supervision technology. The good news: most of what parents worry about (photos, contacts, app purchases) syncs through iCloud automatically, separate from backup. After setup, your child signs into their Apple ID and these sync right back. What might not come back: • App data stored only on the device (some games, some apps) • Text messages (unless iCloud Messages was turned on) • Specific app settings For most families, this isn't a big deal. But if there's specific data you're worried about, check if that app has cloud sync before starting setup.

The hands-on part takes about 15-20 minutes. After that, your child can sign into their Apple ID and re-download their apps from the App Store. Photos and contacts sync automatically once signed in. The whole process usually takes 30-45 minutes total.

The setup process is designed to be safe. If something interrupts it (like a power outage or disconnected cable), you can simply start over. If you're really stuck, email us at support@shelta.app and we'll help you through it.

Yes! That's the most common scenario. Here's what to do: 1. Make sure iCloud Photos and iCloud Contacts are ON (Settings > [Name] > iCloud) 2. If you want to keep text messages, turn on iCloud Messages 3. Wait for everything to finish syncing 4. Run through the Shelta setup process 5. When you see "Apps & Data", choose "Set Up as New iPad" (not restore) 6. Sign into your child's Apple ID when prompted Their photos and contacts will sync back. They can re-download their apps from the App Store for free (since they already own them).

Shelta is designed to resist removal. Unlike regular parental control apps that can simply be deleted, Shelta uses device supervision technology that makes removal much more difficult. However, we believe in transparency: on personally-owned devices, Apple does allow users to remove management profiles through Settings (this is an Apple platform requirement, not a Shelta limitation). Here's the important part: if your child attempts to remove Shelta, you'll be alerted immediately. The supervision itself also stays on the device even if the management profile is removed, meaning the device remains in a supervised state. Most kids won't know how to remove it, and those who try will trigger an alert to you.

No. Unlike content filtering apps that work at the network level (which VPNs can bypass), Shelta's restrictions are built into the device's operating system. Whether your child uses WiFi, cellular data, or a VPN, the restrictions stay in place.

No! You only need your computer for the one-time device setup. After that, you manage everything from your phone or any web browser at shelta.app.

You can reset your password using the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in page. As long as you have access to your email, you can always recover your account. We recommend using a password manager to keep track of your login.

Yes! You can create different schedules for school days and weekends. You can also set "bedtime" hours when the device is completely locked, which is great for ensuring kids aren't on their phones at 2 AM.

Yes. You can block specific apps entirely (like social media), or you can require approval for any new app installs. Some parents prefer to let their kids install apps freely but monitor which apps are being used.

Shelta uses Apple's built-in content filter, which blocks access to adult websites, gambling sites, and other inappropriate content in Safari and other apps. It's the same technology used by schools. You can also manually block or allow specific websites.

No, and that's intentional. Shelta is about setting boundaries, not surveillance. We believe kids deserve privacy in their personal conversations. If you're concerned about who your child is messaging, we recommend having a conversation with them rather than secretly monitoring.

During our beta period, Shelta is free! Once we launch officially, we'll offer affordable monthly and annual plans. Early users who sign up during beta will receive special discounts.

Yes, absolutely. There are no long-term contracts. If you decide to stop using Shelta, you can cancel your subscription at any time. You can also remove supervision from your child's device, though this will require a factory reset.

Yes. We take security very seriously. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We never sell your information to third parties. You can read our full privacy policy for details on exactly what we collect and why.

Currently, each Shelta account is individual. We're working on adding family sharing so multiple parents/guardians can manage devices together. This is one of our top priorities for future updates!

First, make sure you've tapped "Trust" on the device when prompted. If that doesn't work, try using a different USB cable or port. On Windows, you may need to install iTunes first (it includes the necessary drivers). Restarting both the computer and the device often helps too.

Changes usually apply within a few seconds, but sometimes it can take up to a few minutes. Make sure the device is connected to the internet. If changes still aren't applying after 10 minutes, try restarting the device.

After setup, your child can re-download their apps from the App Store: 1. Open the App Store 2. Tap your profile picture (top right) 3. Tap "Purchased" 4. Tap "Not on this iPad" 5. Tap the cloud icon next to any app to re-download All previously purchased apps can be re-downloaded for free. Game progress usually syncs back automatically if the game uses Game Center or cloud saves.

Don't panic! Take a screenshot of the error message and email it to support@shelta.app. Most errors can be resolved by simply trying again. Make sure your computer has a stable internet connection and the device is fully charged.