What parental controls do on iPad

Parental controls on iPad let you restrict what apps can be opened, what content can be viewed, and what settings can be changed. You set them up through a feature called Screen Time, which is built into every iPad. Once you turn it on and create a passcode that only you know, your child cannot disable the controls or change them without that passcode.

The controls work by limiting access to specific apps, blocking content by age rating, preventing in-app purchases, and restricting changes to system settings like location services or camera use. You can also set downtime — a window of hours when only certain apps work — and see a weekly report of how much time your child spends in each app.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is the built-in parental control system on iPad; you find it in Settings under Screen Time, not under a separate parental controls menu.
  • You must create a Screen Time passcode that is different from your iPad unlock code, because your child will not know this passcode and cannot change restrictions without it.
  • App limits let you set a daily time budget for specific apps or app categories, and downtime blocks most apps during hours you choose.
  • Content restrictions block apps, websites, and media by age rating, and you can also prevent purchases and require your approval for downloads.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you must erase the iPad and set it up again — there is no recovery option, so write it down somewhere safe.

How to turn on Screen Time and create a passcode

Open Settings on the iPad and tap Screen Time. If this is the first time you are setting it up, tap "Turn On Screen Time" or "Continue". The iPad will ask whether this is a parent's iPad or a child's iPad — choose "This is a child's iPad" if your child uses this device, or "This is my iPad" if you use it and want to control what your child can do when they use it.

Next, create a Screen Time passcode. This is a four-digit code that only you should know. Write it down and store it somewhere safe — if you forget it, the only way to regain control is to erase the entire iPad and set it up from scratch. Do not use your iPad unlock code; use a different number so your child cannot guess it from watching you unlock the device.

The iPad will ask for your Apple ID and password. This is so you can recover your Screen Time settings if you need to, and so Apple can verify your identity if you contact support. After you enter this information, Screen Time is active and you can begin setting restrictions.

Setting daily time limits on specific apps

In Screen Time settings, tap "App Limits". This section lets you set a daily time budget for individual apps or entire categories of apps. Tap "Add Limit" and choose which apps or categories you want to restrict — for example, you might limit Games to one hour per day, or Social Media to 30 minutes.

Once the time runs out, the app becomes unavailable until the next day at midnight. Your child will see a message saying the time limit has been reached. They cannot override this without your Screen Time passcode. You can set different limits for different days of the week if you want — for instance, a shorter limit on school days and a longer one on weekends.

If your child needs more time on a particular day, they can ask you to grant an extension. When they tap "Ask for More Time", a notification appears on your iPhone or iPad, and you can approve 15 more minutes or deny the request. This teaches negotiation without removing your control.

Using downtime to block most apps during certain hours

Downtime is a scheduled window of hours when only essential apps work — things like Phone, Messages, and Health. Everything else becomes unavailable. This is useful for bedtime, dinner, or homework time. Tap "Downtime" in Screen Time settings and turn it on, then set the start and end times.

You can set different downtime hours for different days. For example, downtime might run from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on school nights, but from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekends. During downtime, your child can still make emergency calls and use apps you have marked as "Always Allowed" in the settings below.

If your child tries to open a blocked app during downtime, they see a message saying the app is unavailable and asking if they want to request more time. Like app limits, this requires your approval through a notification on your device.

Blocking apps and content by age rating

Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" in Screen Time settings and turn this feature on. This opens a menu where you can block entire categories of content based on age. Under "Apps", you can prevent apps rated for older ages from being opened — for instance, you might block all apps rated 17+ or 12+.

Scroll down to "Web Content" and choose "Limit Adult Websites" to block sites with adult material, or select "Allowed Websites Only" to create a whitelist of sites your child can visit. You can add or remove specific websites from either list by tapping "Modify" under the option you chose.

Under "Movies" and "TV Shows", you can set a maximum rating — for example, allowing only G and PG movies, or blocking anything above PG-13. The same controls work for Books and Music. These restrictions prevent your child from opening content above the rating you set, even if the app is installed on the device.

Preventing purchases and requiring approval for downloads

Still in Content & Privacy Restrictions, scroll down to "iTunes & App Store Purchases". Here you can prevent your child from buying apps, making in-app purchases (like gems in games), or subscribing to services. Set each category to "Don't Allow" to block purchases entirely, or "Require Password" to make your child ask you before buying anything.

If you choose "Require Password", your child will need your Apple ID password to complete any purchase. This gives you a chance to say no before money is spent. You can also set "Free Downloads" to "Require Password" so your child cannot install free apps without your knowledge.

Under "Allowed Apps", you can prevent your child from deleting apps, changing privacy settings, or turning off location services. Tap each setting and choose whether to allow or restrict it. For most children, preventing app deletion stops them from removing parental controls by uninstalling the monitoring app.

Viewing your child's screen time report

At the top of the Screen Time settings page, you see a graph showing how much time your child spent on the iPad today and this week. Tap "See All Activity" to view a detailed breakdown by app and category. This report updates throughout the day and resets each week on Sunday.

The report shows which apps were used most, how many times the device was picked up, and how many notifications were received. This information helps you understand your child's habits and decide whether your current limits are working. You can use it to have a conversation about screen time without accusation — "I see you spent two hours in games this week; what do you think about that?"

If you have multiple children with their own Apple IDs on a family plan, you can view each child's report separately by tapping their name at the top of the Screen Time page. This requires you to have set up Family Sharing in your Apple ID settings.

What to do if you forget your Screen Time passcode

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, there is no way to reset it without erasing the iPad. Apple does not offer a recovery option or a way to bypass it, even with your Apple ID. Your only choice is to erase the device and set it up again from scratch.

To erase the iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will need your Apple ID password to confirm. After the erase completes, you can set up the iPad again and create a new Screen Time passcode. Any data stored in iCloud will restore, but apps and local files will be gone.

To avoid this situation, write your Screen Time passcode on paper and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager. Do not store it in your phone's notes app or anywhere your child might find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child see what Screen Time passcode I created?

No. Your child never sees the passcode you create. They only see it if they watch you type it, so enter it when they are not looking. If you are worried they have seen it, you can change it by going to Screen Time settings, tapping "Change Screen Time Passcode", and entering your current passcode followed by a new one.

What happens if my child asks for more time and I am not near my device?

The request sits in your notification center until you respond. Your child cannot proceed without your approval, so they will have to wait. If you want to grant time automatically, you can set longer app limits instead of relying on requests, or you can adjust limits in real time from your own device.

Can I set different restrictions for different times of day?

You can use downtime to block most apps during certain hours, and you can set app limits that vary by day of the week. You cannot set different app limits for morning versus afternoon on the same day, but downtime plus app limits together cover most scheduling needs.

Does Screen Time work if my child uses a different Apple ID?

Screen Time restrictions explore to the device itself, not to individual user accounts. If your child has their own Apple ID on the iPad, the restrictions you set still explore to them. However, if they use a different iPad with their own Apple ID, Screen Time on that device is separate and you would need to set it up there too.

What if my child deletes an app I want them to use?

In Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap "Allowed Apps" and make sure the app you want to keep is toggled on. Then go back and tap "Deleting Apps" and set it to "Don't Allow". Your child will no longer be able to delete any apps. If an app is already deleted, your child can reinstall it from the App Store as long as it is allowed in your content restrictions.