A Kidslox alternative for iPhone, built on Apple’s Screen Time
SteadyBounds is a parental control app for iPhone and iPad where kids earn extra screen time through learning lessons and chores their parents approve. It runs on Apple’s own Screen Time, so there’s no VPN to manage and no computer to set up.
1. What parents say about Kidslox
These are real reviews from Kidslox’s U.S. App Store page. Some parents report these problems; they aren’t every family’s experience. Under each one is how SteadyBounds handles it.
Setup needs a desktop computer
“We spent 2 days trying to connect it for the advanced features which by the way need to be done from a desktop computer. I don’t understand why the app can’t be managed only from a device.”
A parent on the App Store, August 2026
How SteadyBounds handles it: you set up SteadyBounds on your phone and your child’s iPhone or iPad, and every feature works without a computer. Your child needs their own Apple Account in your Family Sharing group, and you approve Apple’s Screen Time permission on their device.
The VPN gets in the way of the internet
“Multiple times a day I have to turn off the VPN setting and connect their device to the internet before the VPN turns back on.”
A parent on the App Store, July 2026
How SteadyBounds handles it: SteadyBounds doesn’t use a VPN. It locks apps through Apple’s own Screen Time, so your child’s internet connection is left alone. When time is up, the apps you choose, like school apps, stay open.
Apps get rearranged
“Switching from Child to Lock mode takes all apps out of the groups and rearranges them.”
A parent on the App Store, January 2026
How SteadyBounds handles it: your child’s Home Screen stays just as they set it up. When time is up, apps stay in place and show a lock screen that names the rule holding them. Nothing is moved or hidden.
Each device keeps its own time
“Devices are separate so you can’t manage time across both.”
A parent on the App Store, June 2026
How SteadyBounds handles it: your child’s iPhone and iPad share one daily allowance. Time used on one counts on the other, so an hour means an hour, however many devices your child uses.
Hard to remove
“I can’t remove the app, nor the VPN from my son’s device.”
A parent on the App Store, June 2026
How SteadyBounds handles it: there’s no VPN to remove. You can take SteadyBounds off whenever you like, with or without a subscription. On your phone, tap your profile picture on Home to open Settings, tap Remove a child or device, then Devices & Removal, then Disconnect Device. SteadyBounds takes its limits off that device. If the device can’t get online, tap Parent Help on its disconnecting screen and enter your parent PIN. A parent or guardian in your Family Sharing group can also turn off SteadyBounds’s access in Apple’s Screen Time settings. See the steps.
2. What you get with SteadyBounds
Each row is something SteadyBounds gives you, next to what Kidslox’s own pages say.
| Feature | SteadyBounds | Kidslox |
|---|---|---|
| Every feature without a computer | Yes. Set up on your phone and your child’s device | Kidslox’s guide says its Advanced features on iPhone and iPad are set up with its desktop app, with the device plugged into a computer |
| Lock any app with no extra setup | Yes | Kidslox’s guide says blocking all apps on iPhone and iPad needs those Advanced features |
| No device management profile | Yes. Uses Apple’s Screen Time permission | Kidslox’s guide says it installs a Mobile Device Management profile on iPhone and iPad |
| Every Screen Time control free | Yes, for every child and device | Kidslox’s App Store page says features need a subscription after a 3-day free trial |
| Every child and device included | Yes. No per-child or per-device fees | Kidslox says one paid account covers up to 10 devices |
| One daily allowance shared across iPhone and iPad | Yes | Not in Kidslox’s feature list |
| Kids earn time with learning lessons | Yes. Coding, math, science and building | Not in Kidslox’s feature list |
| Family chat between parents and kids | Yes, with Premium. Kids can’t message each other | Not in Kidslox’s feature list |
“Not in Kidslox’s feature list” means we didn’t find it on Kidslox’s home page, feature pages or App Store page on October 19, 2026.
3. Price
SteadyBounds: every Screen Time control is free, for every child and device. That includes limits, bedtimes, school hours, breaks, app and website rules, pausing apps, requests, extra time, Time Bank and reports.
SteadyBounds Premium is optional: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with a 14-day free trial on the yearly plan for eligible new subscribers. It adds the full lesson library, Learn first, family chat and groups, chore routines, bedtime activity alerts, places and arrival alerts, widgets, animated scenes and learning progress reports. If Premium ends, your Screen Time controls keep working.
Kidslox, on October 19, 2026: free to download, with a 3-day free trial of all Premium features. After the trial, features need a subscription. Kidslox’s U.S. App Store page lists in-app purchases from $2.99 to $79.99, including one-month plans from $3.99 to $7.99 and 12-month plans at $49.99 and $79.99. One paid account covers up to 10 devices. Prices are in U.S. dollars.
4. Get started free
Download SteadyBounds, connect your child’s iPhone or iPad from your phone, and set your first limit. Every Screen Time control is free, and you can remove it anytime.
Get SteadyBounds on the App Store
Comparing other apps too? See all our comparisons, or read the SteadyBounds FAQ.
5. Questions parents ask
Is SteadyBounds a good Kidslox alternative for iPhone?
Yes, if your children use iPhones and iPads. SteadyBounds sets daily limits, bedtimes, school hours and app rules through Apple’s own Screen Time, with no VPN and no computer setup. Your child’s iPhone and iPad share one daily allowance, and kids can earn extra time with learning lessons and chores you approve.
Does SteadyBounds use a VPN?
No. SteadyBounds works through Apple’s Screen Time, so no VPN, profile or computer is needed. Your child needs their own Apple Account in your Family Sharing group, on iOS or iPadOS 17.4 or later. During setup, you approve Apple’s Screen Time permission on their device.
Is SteadyBounds free?
Yes. Every Screen Time control is free, for every child and device: limits, bedtimes, school hours, breaks, app and website rules, pausing apps, requests, extra time, Time Bank and reports. Premium is optional. It costs $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year and adds the full lesson library, Learn first, family chat, widgets and more.
6. Sources
Everything we say about Kidslox comes from Kidslox’s own website, guides or App Store page. If something has changed, please tell us at hello@steadybounds.com and we will fix it.
- Kidslox home page (features, 10 devices, 3-day free trial)
- Kidslox, How does Kidslox work? (device management profile, Advanced features set up from a computer)
- Kidslox, screen time limits (daily limits, requests, Time Rewards)
- Kidslox pricing page
- Kidslox on the U.S. App Store (in-app purchase prices, free trial, 10 devices)
- Parent reviews: Kidslox reviews on the U.S. App Store
Kidslox is a trademark of its owner. SteadyBounds is not made by, connected to or endorsed by Kidslox.