Create Child account error - Try again or check back later?

Question

Create Child account error - Try again or check back later?

I am trying to create a child account for my child. I fill out name, DOB, and hit continue. At this point I successfully faceID authenticate and get the message "Couldn't Complete Verification" "This action could not be completed because of an error. Try again or check back later."

I have restarted the phone

I have tried via cell network and 2 wireless networks (both secure)

I have signed out of my apple account and back in on the phone

Same message each time. If anyone could point me in the right direction or knows what I am doing wrong, please advise.

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Jul 28, 2026 8:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Chattanoogan

Level 8

38,036 points

Jul 31, 2026 3:56 AM in response to scared_panda_joe

You have to create a child’s account from YOUR own Apple Trusted Device. (i.e. a device belonging to the adult Family Organizer)

Once the account is created, you can THEN setup the child’s device(s).

Create an Apple Account for your child - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Jul 30, 2026 9:58 PM in response to scared_panda_joe

What finally worked when setting up my child’s iPhone

I first tried creating my child’s Apple Account on my Mac. I was able to create the email address and password, but I could not complete the process because Apple would not accept the phone number assigned to the new iPhone for verification.

I then restarted the setup directly on the new iPhone. During the setup prompts, I chose the option indicating that the phone was being set up for a child. When given the option, I signed in with my own Apple ID as the parent and family organizer.

I then entered the child’s Apple Account email address and password that I had created on the Mac. The child-account setup completed successfully.

I had also corrected a billing issue and updated my payment method, but I cannot confirm whether that affected the result. The step I can confirm worked was choosing to set up the iPhone for a child and signing in with my own Apple ID as the parent during setup on the child's device.

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Answer 3

Jul 31, 2026 3:49 AM in response to christiskingforever

Actually, I called Apple after a different, non - cryptic error popped up. I had created a "teen" iCloud account and was attempting to invite them to the family. The error I got was - "Cannot add teen to family, you need to confirm you're 18+ before adding a teen to your family". After calling Apple it was determined that this was happening to a lot of users in my region (Texas) due to a law change and a bug on Apple's side. As of now I am waiting for the fix to occur on their side. Thanks for the reply

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Answer 4

Jul 31, 2026 4:02 AM in response to Chattanoogan

understood. i can't because of the problem for texas users that currently exists. you get the failed verification message.

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