Frequently asked questions
The questions people actually ask before locking down an iPhone.
What do I need?
A Mac, a USB cable, and the iPhone. Windows support comes later
Does setup really erase the phone?
Yes, once. That is Apple's requirement for real supervision; the app walks you through a backup first
Can I undo everything?
Yes: plug into any computer, restore, and it is a normal iPhone again
Do you see my data?
No. Signed out, the app has no server and no account; the key stays on your Mac. Signing in stores your phones' settings for backup and the dashboard, and we never sell data (see /privacy)
What if my Mac dies?
The phone keeps working exactly as configured. The supervision key syncs to your other Macs through iCloud Keychain, so a new Mac picks up where the old one left off
Which iPhones work?
Anything that runs iOS 18 or newer (iPhone XS and later). The old iPhone in your drawer is usually perfect
Can the second phone carry my number?
With iOS 27, on carriers that support iPhone Handoff (T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are expected first), one number can live on two iPhones and move between them with a double click. The two-phone guide covers it: /guides/two-phones
Can my kid get around it?
Apps and the store are truly gone, and settings are locked. The one honest escape is a full factory reset from a computer, which wipes the phone and removes nothing quietly; you will know
More than one phone?
Free while in early access. The plan: free covers one phone, and plus (one-time, around $20) will cover as many as you like from one Mac
Android?
No, and no plans. Tinyphone is iPhone-only
Is there a subscription?
Only for Cloud, if you want it: monthly, to change phones from your iPhone or the web. Everything is free while in early access. The Mac app is free for one phone, and plus will be a one-time purchase