watchOS 7 to Include Kids Mode That Shifts Focus of Activity Rings Away From Calories Burned

Apple's upcoming watchOS 7 update is expected to include a Kids Mode that's aimed at children who have an Apple Watch for activity tracking purposes, with parents able to control and manage their children's devices.

applewatchactivityrings
According to code found in iOS 14 by 9to5Mac, when placed in Kids Mode, an Apple Watch will have different Activity Ring labels and goals than an Apple Watch in a normal adult mode.

While adults see Activity Rings for active calories burned (red), minutes exercised (green), and hours with standing movement (blue), an Apple Watch in Kids Mode will not focus on calories burned.

Instead, the red Activity Ring will track move time alongside exercise time and hours spent with some stand activity. So, for example, the Apple Watch will track a movement goal of 90 minutes instead of 500 active calories burned, providing children with a healthy target to achieve that does not focus on body image.

The new Kids Mode, which will include parental controls limiting access to certain Apple Watch features during school hours, is expected to be included in the watchOS 7 and iOS 14 updates.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tag: 9to5Mac
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

Small White Car Avatar
69 months ago

WOW, just wow! How does failing a 'calories burned' goal hurt more than failing a 'movement' goal.

Please include a participation trophy, each day, just for putting your watch on... even if you didn't.
Having kids focus on diet and calories is a fast track towards developing eating disorders which, of course, can lead to either anorexia or over-eating, neither of which is healthy.

In other words, this change is targeted at making children healthier and developing good eating habits for the rest of their lives.

And yet both of the first replies to this article thinks that’s a bad idea!

Incredible.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheDailyApple Avatar
69 months ago
I’d like the option to shift focus away from calories for adults as well, not everyone needs to lose weight. I’d like to be able to shift focus to cardio and fitness training.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaswift Avatar
69 months ago
People buy Apple Watches for their kids? Nice. Anyone want to adopt me?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KrisLord Avatar
69 months ago
I’m hoping this means it doesn’t need to be connected to a child’s iPhone.

I would get my daughter an Apple Watch before I got her an iPhone.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joniz Avatar
69 months ago
The movement away from calories with kids is a good idea because, I don’t know how many of y’all actually have kids, but they don’t think in terms of calories.

It’s Run! Run! Run! Play! Play! Play!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
enu Avatar
69 months ago
Wonder if there'll be a way for app developers to see if a watch is in "Kids Mode" so that 3rd party apps can also produce kid-friendly versions of complications or app interfaces.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)