How to delete parental controls depends on what device you are using and who set them up

Parental controls lock down what you can install, where you can browse, and what you can change on a device. If you set them yourself and forgot the PIN, or if someone else set them and you now have permission to remove them, the steps differ by operating system. On Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, you remove them through settings — but you will need the administrator password or PIN that was used to turn them on.

If you do not have that password or PIN, you have limited options that depend on whether you own the device and whether you can contact the person who set the controls. Resetting the device to factory settings will remove parental controls, but it will also erase everything on it. Some devices let you prove ownership through your account instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing parental controls requires the administrator password or PIN on Windows and macOS, or the Apple ID or Google account password on iOS and Android.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, select the account, and choose Remove to delete parental controls.
  • On macOS, open System Settings > General > Parental Controls, select the account, and click the lock icon to unlock and remove restrictions.
  • On Android, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls, tap the account, and select Remove to turn off controls.
  • On iOS, go to Settings > Screen Time, tap the account name, and choose Turn Off Screen Time if you know the passcode.

Removing parental controls on Windows

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, parental controls are managed through Family settings. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accounts > Family & other users. You will see a list of accounts on the device. Find the account that has parental controls turned on.

Click on that account, then look for a button that says Remove or Manage family settings. Windows will ask you to confirm, and you may need to enter the administrator password. Once you confirm, parental controls on that account are deleted. The account will have full access to the device again.

If you do not know the administrator password, you cannot remove parental controls through settings. Your only option is to reset Windows to factory settings, which erases all files and programs on the device. If the device is yours and you set the password yourself, you can reset it through your Microsoft account on the Windows sign-in screen.

Removing parental controls on macOS

On macOS, parental controls are called Parental Controls and are found in System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then go to General > Parental Controls. You will see a list of accounts with restrictions.

Select the account you want to remove controls from. You will see a lock icon in the bottom left corner of the window. Click it and enter the administrator password. Once unlocked, you can click the minus button to remove that account from parental controls entirely.

If you do not have the administrator password, you will not be able to unlock the settings. You can reset your Mac to factory settings through Recovery Mode, but this erases all data. To access Recovery Mode, restart your Mac and hold Command + R while it boots. If you own the Mac and have your Apple ID, you can reset the administrator password through your account.

Removing parental controls on Android

Android parental controls are managed through Digital Wellbeing & parental controls, which is built into most Android phones. Open Settings, scroll down to Digital Wellbeing & parental controls, and tap it. You will see options for Screen Time, App limits, and other restrictions.

If parental controls were set up on your account, you will see a Parental controls section with the account name listed. Tap on the account, then select Remove parental controls. Android will ask you to confirm and may ask for the Google account password that was used to set them up. Once you enter it, parental controls are deleted.

If you do not know the Google account password, you cannot remove parental controls through settings. You can reset your phone to factory settings, but this erases all data and apps. If the phone is yours, you can recover your Google account password through the Google account recovery page on a computer.

Removing parental controls on iOS

On iPhone and iPad, parental controls are called Screen Time. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap the account name at the top. You will see options for App Limits, Communication Limits, and Content & Privacy Restrictions.

To turn off Screen Time entirely, tap Turn Off Screen Time at the bottom of the screen. iOS will ask you to enter the Screen Time passcode — this is different from your device passcode. If you know it, enter it and Screen Time will be deleted. If you do not know the passcode, you cannot turn off Screen Time through settings.

If you do not have the Screen Time passcode, you can reset your iPhone or iPad to factory settings, but this erases all data. If the device is yours and you have your Apple ID, you can use Find My iPhone to erase it remotely and set it up again. You can also contact Apple Support with proof of purchase to reset the passcode.

What to do if you do not know the password or PIN

If someone else set up parental controls and you do not have the password or PIN, your options are limited. The first step is to contact the person who set them up and ask them to remove the controls or give you the password. This is the fastest and safest way.

If you cannot contact them or they refuse, you can reset the device to factory settings. This removes all parental controls but also erases all files, photos, apps, and settings. On most devices, you can do this through Settings > System > Reset or equivalent. On older devices, you may need to use a computer and software like iTunes for iOS or Android Debug Bridge for Android.

If the device is yours and you have your account credentials, you may be able to prove ownership. Apple and Google both have account recovery processes that can help you regain access. Contact their support with proof of purchase or account information.

Preventing parental controls from being set without your knowledge

Once you remove parental controls, you can prevent someone from setting them again by protecting your administrator password or account. On Windows and macOS, use a strong password that only you know. On Android and iOS, enable two-factor authentication on your Google or Apple account so that anyone trying to set parental controls will need a code sent to your phone or email.

You can also check your device settings regularly to see if parental controls have been turned on. On Windows, check Family & other users. On macOS, check Parental Controls. On Android, check Digital Wellbeing. On iOS, check Screen Time. If you see restrictions you did not set, change your account password when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove parental controls without the password?

No, not through settings. You will need to reset the device to factory settings, which erases everything. If the device is yours, you can use your account credentials to reset the administrator password on Windows or macOS, or use account recovery on Android or iOS.

What happens if I reset my device to remove parental controls?

Factory reset erases all files, photos, apps, and settings. Your device will be blank and you will need to set it up again from scratch. Back up your data first if possible, though parental controls may prevent you from doing so.

Can I remove parental controls from someone else's device?

Only if you have the administrator password or PIN, or if you have their account credentials. If you do not, you cannot remove them without their permission. Removing parental controls from a device you do not own without permission may be illegal.

Will removing parental controls affect anything else on my device?

No. Removing parental controls only removes the restrictions. All your files, apps, and settings stay the same. Your device will work exactly as it did before parental controls were turned on.

Can I turn off parental controls temporarily instead of deleting them?

On most devices, parental controls can only be fully removed, not paused. However, you can change the restrictions — for example, raising app limits or allowing blocked websites — without removing the controls entirely. This requires the administrator password or PIN.