iOS SDK - Phosra Developer Docs

The PhosraSDK Swift package provides on-device child safety enforcement for iOS using Apple’s FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity frameworks.

Overview

The SDK has a two-layer architecture:

API Client — Communicates with the Phosra API to register devices, fetch compiled policies, submit enforcement reports, and acknowledge policy versions.
Enforcement Engine — Translates the compiled policy document into native Apple framework calls to enforce content filters, screen time limits, web filtering, purchase controls, and more.

API Client

Handles device registration, policy sync, and reporting via the Phosra REST API.

Enforcement Engine

Maps policy rules to FamilyControls, ManagedSettings, and DeviceActivity calls.

Requirements

Requirement	Version
iOS	16.0+
Swift	5.9+
Xcode	15+
FamilyControls Entitlement	Required (request here)

The FamilyControls entitlement must be approved by Apple before your app can enforce restrictions on-device. Request it early — approval typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Installation

The PhosraSDK Swift package is in private preview. Contact developers@phosra.com to receive the repository URL and access credentials. Once you have access, add it via Swift Package Manager:

Xcode

File > Add Package Dependencies
URL: <repo URL provided by Phosra>
Product: PhosraSDK

Quick Start

Device Registration

The registration flow requires parent authentication and produces a device-specific API key:

Parent App                    Phosra API                  Child Device
    │                             │                           │
    ├── POST /children/{id}/devices ──────────────────────>   │
    │   (Authorization: Bearer parentJWT)                     │
    │                             │                           │
    │   <── { device, api_key } ──┤                           │
    │                             │                           │
    │   ── Transfer api_key ──────────────────────────────>   │
    │                             │                           │ Store in Keychain
    │                             │                           │

The RegisterDeviceRequest includes device metadata and capability declarations:

RegisterDeviceRequest(
    deviceName: "Emma's iPad",
    deviceModel: "iPad Pro 11-inch",     // UIDevice.current.model
    osVersion: "17.4.1",                 // UIDevice.current.systemVersion
    appVersion: "1.0.0",                 // Bundle version
    capabilities: [
        "FamilyControls",               // Core entitlement
        "ManagedSettings",              // App/web blocking
        "DeviceActivity",               // Usage monitoring
        "WebContentFilter"              // Network extension filtering
    ],
    apnsToken: apnsDeviceToken           // Optional, for push-based sync
)

Policy Sync

Automatic Polling with PolicySyncManager

The PolicySyncManager handles periodic policy fetching with conditional requests:

class PolicySyncManager {
    private let client: PhosraAPIClient
    private let engine: EnforcementEngine
    private var currentVersion: Int = 0
    private var timer: Timer?

    /// Start polling for policy updates.
    /// Default interval: 5 minutes (300 seconds).
    func startPolling(interval: TimeInterval = 300) {
        timer = Timer.scheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: interval, repeats: true) { [weak self] _ in
            Task { await self?.sync() }
        }
    }

    func stopPolling() {
        timer?.invalidate()
        timer = nil
    }

    private func sync() async {
        do {
            // Conditional fetch -- returns nil on 304 Not Modified
            guard let policy = try await client.fetchPolicy(sinceVersion: currentVersion) else {
                return // No update
            }

            currentVersion = policy.version
            let results = try await engine.apply(policy)

            // Report enforcement results
            let report = DeviceReport(
                reportType: .enforcementStatus,
                payload: .enforcementStatus(EnforcementStatusPayload(
                    policyVersion: policy.version,
                    results: results
                ))
            )
            try await client.submitReport(report)
            try await client.ackPolicyVersion(policy.version)
        } catch {
            print("Policy sync failed: \(error)")
        }
    }
}

Push-Based Sync (APNs)

For immediate policy refresh when a parent modifies rules, handle APNs silent push notifications:

func application(
    _ application: UIApplication,
    didReceiveRemoteNotification userInfo: [AnyHashable: Any]
) async -> UIBackgroundFetchResult {
    guard let phosra = userInfo["phosra"] as? [String: Any],
          let event = phosra["event"] as? String,
          event == "policy.updated",
          let newVersion = phosra["version"] as? Int else {
        return .noData
    }

    if newVersion > currentPolicyVersion {
        do {
            let policy = try await client.fetchPolicy()
            try await engine.apply(policy)
            try await client.ackPolicyVersion(policy.version)
            return .newData
        } catch {
            return .failed
        }
    }
    return .noData
}

The push notification payload:

{
  "aps": { "content-available": 1 },
  "phosra": {
    "event": "policy.updated",
    "version": 4
  }
}

Enforcement Engine

Each enforcer handles a specific policy section and maps it to the appropriate Apple framework.

Content Filter Enforcer

Uses ManagedSettings to control app access based on age ratings and block/allow lists.

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`contentFilter.ageRating`	ManagedSettings	`ManagedSettingsStore.application`
`contentFilter.blockedApps`	ManagedSettings	`blockedApplications`
`contentFilter.allowlistMode`	ManagedSettings	`denyAppInstallation`

Screen Time Enforcer

Uses DeviceActivity to monitor and limit screen time.

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`screenTime.dailyLimitMinutes`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`
`screenTime.perAppLimits`	DeviceActivity	Per-token schedule
`screenTime.downtimeWindows`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`
`screenTime.schedule`	DeviceActivity	`DateComponents` ranges

Web Filter Enforcer

Uses ManagedSettings web content filtering.

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`webFilter.safeSearch`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.autoFilter`
`webFilter.blockedDomains`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.blockedDomains`
`webFilter.allowedDomains`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.allowedDomains`
`webFilter.level`	ManagedSettings	`webContent` filter mode

Purchase Enforcer

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`purchases.requireApproval`	ManagedSettings	`appStore.requirePasswordForPurchases`
`purchases.blockIAP`	ManagedSettings	`appStore.denyInAppPurchases`
`purchases.spendingCapUSD`	None	Tracked via StoreKit observer

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`social.multiplayerMode`	ManagedSettings	`gameCenter.denyMultiplayerGaming`
`social.chatMode`	None	Block messaging apps via ManagedSettings
`social.dmRestriction`	None	Block messaging apps via ManagedSettings

Notification Enforcer

Policy Field	Apple Framework	API
`notifications.curfewStart/End`	ManagedSettings	`notification` (iOS 16.4+)
`notifications.usageTimerMinutes`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityMonitor` events

Reporting

The SDK submits two types of reports to the Phosra API:

Enforcement Status Report

Sent after applying a policy, contains per-category results:

DeviceReport(
    reportType: .enforcementStatus,
    payload: .enforcementStatus(EnforcementStatusPayload(
        policyVersion: 3,
        results: [
            CategoryEnforcementResult(
                category: "content_rating",
                status: "enforced",       // "enforced", "partial", "failed", "unsupported"
                framework: "ManagedSettings"
            ),
            CategoryEnforcementResult(
                category: "time_daily_limit",
                status: "enforced",
                framework: "DeviceActivity"
            )
        ]
    ))
)

Screen Time Report

Aggregated daily usage data:

DeviceReport(
    reportType: .screenTime,
    payload: .screenTime(ScreenTimePayload(
        byCategory: ["social-media": 45, "gaming": 30, "education": 60],
        topApps: ["com.burbn.instagram": 25, "com.google.ios.youtube": 20],
        totalMinutes: 135,
        date: "2026-02-23"
    ))
)

CompiledPolicy Structure

The compiled policy is fetched from GET /device/policy and contains all enforcement rules organized by section:

{
  "version": 3,
  "child_id": "uuid",
  "child_age": 10,
  "age_group": "tween",
  "policy_id": "uuid",
  "status": "active",
  "generated_at": "2026-02-23T14:30:00Z",
  "content_filter": {
    "age_rating": "9+",
    "max_ratings": { "apple": "9+", "mpaa": "PG" },
    "blocked_apps": [],
    "allowed_apps": [],
    "allowlist_mode": false
  },
  "screen_time": {
    "daily_limit_minutes": 120,
    "per_app_limits": [],
    "downtime_windows": [
      { "days_of_week": ["monday","tuesday","wednesday","thursday","friday"],
        "start_time": "21:00", "end_time": "07:00" }
    ],
    "always_allowed_apps": ["com.apple.mobilephone", "com.apple.MobileSMS", "com.apple.Maps"],
    "schedule": { "weekday": { "start": "07:00", "end": "21:00" },
                  "weekend": { "start": "08:00", "end": "22:00" } }
  },
  "purchases": {
    "require_approval": true,
    "block_iap": false,
    "spending_cap_usd": 10.00
  },
  "privacy": {
    "location_sharing_enabled": true,
    "profile_visibility": "private",
    "account_creation_approval": true,
    "data_sharing_restricted": true
  },
  "social": {
    "chat_mode": "friends_only",
    "dm_restriction": "contacts_only",
    "multiplayer_mode": "friends_only"
  },
  "notifications": {
    "curfew_start": "21:00",
    "curfew_end": "07:00",
    "usage_timer_minutes": 30
  },
  "web_filter": {
    "level": "moderate",
    "safe_search": true,
    "blocked_domains": ["reddit.com"],
    "allowed_domains": ["khanacademy.org"],
    "blocked_categories": ["gambling", "adult"]
  }
}

Supported Rule Categories

The 45 OCSS rule categories the iOS SDK maps to native framework primitives (of the 123 categories in the OCSS rule registry; the remainder are policy-only or census-enforced and carry no client-side Apple verb):

Content Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`content_rating`	ManagedSettings	`ManagedSettingsStore.application`	16.0
`content_block_title`	ManagedSettings	`blockedApplications`	16.0
`content_allow_title`	ManagedSettings	`denyAppInstallation`	16.0
`content_allowlist_mode`	ManagedSettings	`denyAppInstallation`	16.0
`content_descriptor_block`	ManagedSettings	`ManagedSettingsStore.application`	16.0

Time Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`time_daily_limit`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`	16.0
`time_scheduled_hours`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`	16.0
`time_per_app_limit`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`	16.0
`time_downtime`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivitySchedule`	16.0

Purchase Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`purchase_approval`	ManagedSettings	`appStore.requirePasswordForPurchases`	16.0
`purchase_block_iap`	ManagedSettings	`appStore.denyInAppPurchases`	16.0
`purchase_spending_cap`	None	StoreKit observer (tracked in-app)	—

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`social_contacts`	FamilyControls	`AuthorizationCenter`	16.0
`social_chat_control`	None	Block messaging apps via ManagedSettings	—
`social_multiplayer`	ManagedSettings	`gameCenter.denyMultiplayerGaming`	16.0

Web Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`web_safesearch`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.autoFilter`	16.0
`web_category_block`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.blockedByFilter`	16.0
`web_custom_allowlist`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.allowedDomains`	16.0
`web_custom_blocklist`	ManagedSettings	`webContent.blockedDomains`	16.0
`web_filter_level`	ManagedSettings	`webContent`	16.0

Privacy Rules

Category	Apple Framework	Notes
`privacy_location`	None	CLLocationManager delegation in-app
`privacy_profile_visibility`	None	App-level concern
`privacy_data_sharing`	None	App-level logic; ATT covers ads only
`privacy_account_creation`	None	Gate via FamilyControls auth check

Monitoring Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`monitoring_activity`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityReport`	16.0
`monitoring_alerts`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityMonitor`	16.0

Engagement Rules

Category	Apple Framework	Notes
`algo_feed_control`	None	Block/limit social apps via ManagedSettings
`addictive_design_control`	None	Block offending apps via ManagedSettings

Notification Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`notification_curfew`	ManagedSettings	`notification`	16.4
`usage_timer_notification`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityMonitor`	16.0

Legislation-Driven Rules

Category	Apple Framework	Notes
`targeted_ad_block`	None	ATT is per-prompt; no blanket block
`dm_restriction`	None	Block messaging apps as proxy
`age_gate`	None	Enforce in-app
`data_deletion_request`	None	App-level support flow
`geolocation_opt_in`	None	CLLocationManager per-app

Compliance Rules

Category	Apple Framework	Notes
`csam_reporting`	None	Apple handles via iCloud Photos
`library_filter_compliance`	ManagedSettings	Same as web content filtering
`ai_minor_interaction`	None	Block AI apps via ManagedSettings
`social_media_min_age`	None	Block social BundleIDs for underage
`image_rights_minor`	None	App-level enforcement

Parental / Legislative Rules

Category	Apple Framework	API Class	Min iOS
`parental_consent_gate`	FamilyControls	`AuthorizationCenter`	16.0
`parental_event_notification`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityMonitor`	16.0
`screen_time_report`	DeviceActivity	`DeviceActivityReport`	16.0
`commercial_data_ban`	None	App/server-level policy
`algorithmic_audit`	None	Platform transparency requirement

Troubleshooting

FamilyControls authorization fails

Ensure your app has the com.apple.developer.family-controls entitlement
The entitlement must be approved by Apple for distribution builds
For development, use the automatic provisioning profile in Xcode
Check that the device is not already managed by another FamilyControls app

ManagedSettingsStore changes not applying

Verify FamilyControls authorization status is .approved
ManagedSettingsStore changes are transactional; create a new store instance if the previous one has stale state
Check the device logs: log stream --predicate 'subsystem == "com.apple.ManagedSettings"'

DeviceActivity monitoring not starting

The DeviceActivityMonitor extension must be a separate target in your Xcode project
Verify the extension’s bundle ID matches the App Group
Maximum of 20 concurrent DeviceActivitySchedule instances per app

Policy fetch returns 304 Not Modified

This is expected behavior. When you pass sinceVersion, the server returns 304 if the policy has not changed. The SDK returns nil in this case — no action is needed.

Keychain errors on first launch

Ensure Keychain Sharing capability is enabled if using app extensions
Use kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly (the SDK default) for device keys
On simulator, Keychain behavior may differ from physical devices

App Store rejection for FamilyControls usage

Provide a detailed description of your child safety use case in App Store Connect
Include screenshots showing the parent consent flow
Reference applicable legislation (COPPA, KOSA, etc.) in your review notes
Ensure your privacy policy covers data collected from child devices

​Overview

API Client

Enforcement Engine

​Requirements

​Installation

​Quick Start

​Device Registration

​Policy Sync

​Automatic Polling with PolicySyncManager

​Push-Based Sync (APNs)

​Enforcement Engine

​Content Filter Enforcer

​Screen Time Enforcer

​Web Filter Enforcer

​Purchase Enforcer

​Social Enforcer

​Notification Enforcer

​Reporting

​Enforcement Status Report

​Screen Time Report

​CompiledPolicy Structure

​Supported Rule Categories

​Content Rules

​Time Rules

​Purchase Rules

​Social Rules

​Web Rules

​Privacy Rules

​Monitoring Rules

​Engagement Rules

​Notification Rules

​Legislation-Driven Rules

​Compliance Rules

​Parental / Legislative Rules

​Troubleshooting

Overview

Requirements

Installation

Quick Start

Device Registration

Policy Sync

Automatic Polling with PolicySyncManager

Push-Based Sync (APNs)

Enforcement Engine

Content Filter Enforcer

Screen Time Enforcer

Web Filter Enforcer

Purchase Enforcer

Social Enforcer

Notification Enforcer

Reporting

Enforcement Status Report

Screen Time Report

CompiledPolicy Structure

Supported Rule Categories

Content Rules

Time Rules

Purchase Rules

Social Rules

Web Rules

Privacy Rules

Monitoring Rules

Engagement Rules

Notification Rules

Legislation-Driven Rules

Compliance Rules

Parental / Legislative Rules

Troubleshooting