Setup Guide
Takes about 30 minutes
Follow these steps to supervise your child's iPhone or iPad with Shelta. We'll walk you through everything. Even if you're not tech-savvy, you've got this!
Before You Start
Gather what you need and prepare your child's device
What You'll Need:
- A Mac or Windows computer
- A USB cable to connect the iPhone/iPad to your computer (the charging cable works!)
- WiFi connection for both devices
- About 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
Good News About Your Child's Stuff
The iPad will be set up fresh, but your child won't lose what matters most. Photos, contacts, and app purchases sync through iCloud automatically. After setup, just sign into their Apple ID and these come right back.
Before You Start: Check These Settings
On your child's device, go to Settings > [Name] > iCloud and make sure these are ON:
- Photos (so photos sync to iCloud)
- Contacts (so contacts sync to iCloud)
- Messages (optional, if you want to keep text messages)
Wait for syncing to finish before continuing. Check the Photos app to make sure all photos show the cloud icon.
Install Shelta on Your Computer
Get the free setup tool for your Mac or PC
Shelta runs on your Mac or Windows computer and communicates with your child's device through the USB cable. It's free to download and easy to install.
Download for your computer:
Installation Instructions:
On Mac:
Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag Shelta to your Applications folder. When you first open the app, you may need to go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway" if macOS asks.
On Windows:
Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. If Windows Defender shows a warning, click "More info" and then "Run anyway". This is normal for new software.
Sign In to Your Shelta Account
Connect Shelta on your computer to your account
When you open Shelta on your computer, you'll see a sign-in screen. Use the same email and password you used to create your account on shelta.app.
Don't have an account yet? Create one here. It only takes a minute. You'll need to verify your email address before you can use Shelta on your computer.
Once signed in, you'll see the main Shelta dashboard showing any devices you've already set up (or an empty list if this is your first time).
Connect Your Child's Device
Plug in the iPhone or iPad
Connect your child's iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable (the same cable you use to charge it).
You'll See a "Trust This Computer" Popup
When you connect the device, a popup will appear on the iPhone/iPad asking "Trust This Computer?" Tap "Trust" and enter the device passcode if prompted. This allows your computer to communicate with the device.
The Shelta app will automatically detect the connected device and show its name, model, and iOS version. You should see a green checkmark indicating the device is ready.
Trouble connecting? Try these tips:
- Make sure the device is unlocked
- Try a different USB cable or port
- On Windows, you may need to install iTunes first (it includes necessary drivers)
- Restart both the computer and the device
Start the Supervision Process
This is the magic step!
Click the "Supervise Device" button in the Shelta app. You'll see a confirmation screen reminding you that this will erase the device.
Last Backup Check
Before you click confirm, double-check that your iCloud backup completed successfully! Once you proceed, the device will be erased and restored to factory settings.
What happens during supervision:
- 1The device will restart and show the Apple logo
- 2Shelta communicates with the device to enable supervision
- 3The device restarts again and shows the "Hello" setup screen
- 4During setup, the Shelta management profile is automatically installed
This takes about 5-10 minutes. Keep the device connected and don't interrupt the process. You'll see progress updates in the Shelta app.
Complete Device Setup
Set up the device like new (but faster!)
Once supervision is complete, you'll see the familiar "Hello" screen on the iPhone/iPad. Now you'll set up the device again, but with one key difference: it's now supervised by Shelta!
Setup Steps:
- 1.Swipe up and select your language and region
- 2.Connect to WiFi
- 3.You may see a "Remote Management" screen. This is Shelta! Tap Next to accept
- 4.At the "Apps & Data" screen, choose "Set Up as New iPad"
- 5.Sign in with your child's Apple ID when prompted (this brings back photos and contacts)
- 6.Complete the remaining setup steps (Face ID, passcode, etc.)
Important: Do NOT Restore from iCloud Backup
Restoring from backup removes Shelta protection (this is an Apple limitation). Choose "Set Up as New iPad" instead. Your child's photos and contacts will sync back when they sign into their Apple ID, and apps can be re-downloaded free from the App Store.
Configure Parental Controls
Set up the rules that work for your family
Now for the fun part! Head to your Shelta dashboard at shelta.app/dashboard to configure the controls for your child's device.
Set daily time limits for the device or specific apps. Schedule "bedtime" hours when the device is locked.
Block adult websites, gambling, and other inappropriate content. Uses Apple's built-in web filter.
Block specific apps entirely, or restrict installing new apps without your approval.
Optional: See where your child's device is located. Useful for finding lost phones too!
Changes you make in the dashboard are sent to your child's device within seconds. You don't need to physically have the device. Everything is managed remotely.
You Did It!
Your child's device is now protected by Shelta. The parental controls you set up will stay in place even if your child tries to remove them. You can manage everything from your dashboard on any device: phone, tablet, or computer.
Remember: These controls are a tool to help you parent, not a replacement for conversations. We encourage you to talk with your child about why you've set these boundaries. It helps them understand and accept the rules.
Need Help?
If you run into any issues during setup, check our FAQ for common questions, or email us at support@shelta.app. We're real people who want to help you succeed!
Ready to Start?
Head to your dashboard to get Shelta for your computer and begin setting up your child's device.
Go to Dashboard