# Do they still make cell phones that can only call certain numbers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2021, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761 "2021-08-30T07:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/1 "2021-08-30T07:55:31Z")
Looking for a cell phone for one of my very young nieces. Years back I recall there were some cell phones that could be set up so they could only text/call/receive to or from certain numbers, like 911, parents, etc… Do such phones still exist? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/2 "2021-08-30T09:22:20Z")
I’m pretty sure both Android and iOS support this. I know that iOS allows you to lock down pretty much everything. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/3 "2021-08-30T11:55:27Z")
My phone is IOS and doesn’t allow for that. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/4 "2021-08-30T12:09:36Z")
Yes it does: > **[Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT208982)** > > With Screen Time, you can access real-time reports showing how much time you spend on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can also set limits for what you want to manage. You can turn on and off apps, limit phone calls and FaceTime, and control the contact list. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/5 "2021-08-30T13:13:36Z")
Yep, if you have little loved ones using an iDevice, get to know Screen Time well. It’s got lots of tools to manage the child’s experience. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/6 "2021-08-30T14:21:50Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > Yes it does No, it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/7 "2021-08-30T14:25:48Z")
Have you tried this: [Can I restrict outgoing calls to certain … - Apple Community](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251941672#:~:text=Answer%3A%20A%3A-,Answer%3A%20A%3A,Time%20is%20already%20set%20here). ETA: More here: > **[The iPhone's new parental controls can limit who kids can call, text and...](https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/10/apples-new-parental-controls-can-limit-who-kids-can-call-text-and-facetime-and-when/)** > > An update to Apple’s iOS operating system, out today, will give parents a new set of tools to fight back against kids’ iPhone addiction. With the release of iOS 13.3, parents will for the first time be able to set limits over who kids can talk to and... ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/8 "2021-08-30T14:26:49Z")
Instead of a curt answer which offers us nothing in the way of helping you, can you explain what it is you need that you are unable to get via Screen Time? Are you unable to find that functionality? Are you running an older version of iOS perhaps? What is it? ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/9 "2021-08-30T14:42:59Z")
Which iPhone are you using? As @RitterSport linked to, this is supported in iOS 13 which runs on any device from an iPhone 6S upwards, so we are talking about a 6 year old phone. If you are still rocking an iPhone 6 or older, then you are correct it doesn’t support this functionality. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/10 "2021-08-30T16:58:38Z")
Verizon has a plan that allows that - Just Kids plan. I think up to 10 or 20 numbers and I think allowed unlimited data but not at full speed. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/11 "2021-08-30T17:07:23Z")
I think the OP is looking for some type of purpose-built device. Here’s one: [Relay](https://relaypro.com/families/) About the size of a big Post-It or an old beeper. No screen, water resistant, one button push-to-talk to a single number. Can be worn as a necklace or a watch. GPS tracking. Service costs about $10/month. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/12 "2021-08-30T21:52:20Z")
D’oh! My mistake. My business phone runs IOS. But my personal phone is KAIOS. And I know of no way to limit numbers on it. Looking for a cheap cell phone for a kid that can only call limited numbers. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-make-cell-phones-that-can-only-call-certain-numbers/949761/13 "2021-08-31T01:20:47Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I think the OP is looking for some type of purpose-built device. Here’s one: [Relay](https://relaypro.com/families/) Here’s another: [https://www.verizon.com/connected-smartwatches/verizon-gizmowatch-2/](https://www.verizon.com/connected-smartwatches/verizon-gizmowatch-2/)