Open Settings and navigate to Screen Time

Parental controls on iPad live inside the Screen Time settings, not in a separate app. Open Settings on the iPad you want to control, then tap Screen Time in the left menu. If this is the first time you are setting it up, tap Turn On Screen Time.

You will see a choice: "This is My iPad" or "This is My Child's iPad". Choose the second option if you are the parent setting controls on a child's device. If you are setting controls on your own iPad to manage your own usage, choose the first option — the steps are the same, but you will use your own passcode instead of creating a separate one.

iOS will ask whether you want to use your Apple ID or create a Screen Time passcode. Using your Apple ID is simpler because you can reset it if you forget it. A separate passcode is more find if you want to prevent someone from disabling Screen Time by changing your Apple ID password. Either choice works; pick based on what matters more to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time controls are built into iPad Settings and require a passcode or Apple ID to change — without it, a child cannot disable the restrictions.
  • App Limits let you set daily time caps for specific apps or categories, and the iPad will block access when the time runs out.
  • Downtime blocks all apps except phone, messages, and emergency contacts during hours you choose — useful for bedtime or homework time.
  • Content & Privacy Restrictions control what apps can be installed, what movies and books appear, and whether Siri can search the web.
  • You can see detailed reports of screen time and app usage by day or week, updated in real time.

Set up App Limits to cap daily usage

Once Screen Time is on, tap App Limits to set daily time caps for specific apps or app categories. Tap Add Limit and choose which apps or categories you want to restrict — for example, Games, Social Media, or Entertainment. You can also select individual apps like YouTube or TikTok.

Set the amount of time allowed per day. The iPad will count down as the app is used, and when time runs out, the app will lock. The user can request more time, which sends a notification to the parent's device if you have Family Sharing set up. If you do not have Family Sharing, the request appears on the same iPad and you can approve or deny it in person.

App Limits are soft blocks — they can be extended by the user if they ask. If you want a hard block that cannot be overridden, use Downtime instead.

Use Downtime to block all apps during specific hours

Downtime is a scheduled block that prevents access to most apps during hours you choose. Tap Downtime in Screen Time settings, turn it on, and set a start and end time. During Downtime, only the Phone app, Messages, and emergency contacts remain available. Everything else is locked until Downtime ends.

Downtime is useful for bedtime, school hours, or family dinner time. Unlike App Limits, users cannot request more time — the block is absolute until the scheduled end time arrives or you manually turn off Downtime from your own device.

You can set different Downtime schedules for weekdays and weekends. For example, you might set Downtime from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on school nights, but 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Control what apps and content can be installed or viewed

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time to control what the iPad can access. Turn on the toggle, then set a passcode if you have not already. This passcode is separate from the Screen Time passcode and controls only these restrictions.

Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, you can prevent the installation of new apps, prevent app deletion, and require a passcode before any purchase. Set Allowed Apps to choose which built-in apps appear on the home screen — you can hide Camera, FaceTime, Mail, or others entirely.

Under Content Restrictions, set age ratings for movies, TV shows, books, and apps. For example, you can allow only G-rated movies or apps rated 4+. You can also restrict web content to adult sites only, or block specific websites by URL. Siri can be turned off entirely or prevented from searching the web.

Review screen time reports and adjust limits

The Screen Time dashboard shows a graph of total usage by day or week. Tap See All Activity to view a breakdown by app — you will see exactly how much time was spent in each app, which apps were used most, and when they were used.

Use this data to decide whether your limits are working. If a child is hitting the App Limit for Games every day and requesting extensions, you might lower the limit or move it to a different time. If Downtime is causing conflict, you might adjust the hours or add exceptions for specific apps.

Screen Time reports update in real time, so you can check usage throughout the day. On a parent's device with Family Sharing, you can see reports for each child's iPad separately.

Set up Family Sharing to manage multiple devices

If you have multiple children or devices, Family Sharing lets you manage all of them from your own iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings, tap your name, then Family Sharing. Add family members and assign them to their devices.

Once Family Sharing is set up, you can approve or deny app purchases and app installations from your own device without touching the child's iPad. You can also see screen time reports for each family member and adjust their limits remotely. If a child requests more time during App Limits, you get a notification on your device and can approve or deny it when ready.

Family Sharing requires an Apple ID for each family member and works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is optional — you can manage Screen Time on a single iPad without it, but Family Sharing makes managing multiple devices much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child turn off Screen Time if they know the passcode?

No. Even with the passcode, Screen Time cannot be turned off — only adjusted. The passcode is needed to change limits, add apps to the allowed list, or disable Downtime. To prevent a child from guessing the passcode, use a number combination that is not a birthday or other obvious date.

What happens if the iPad runs out of battery during Downtime?

When the iPad turns back on, Downtime restrictions are still active until the scheduled end time. The timer does not pause or reset. If you need to end Downtime early, you must do it manually from Settings on that iPad or from a parent device with Family Sharing.

Can I set different Screen Time rules for different apps?

Yes. App Limits let you set different daily caps for different apps or categories. You can give Games a 1-hour limit and Social Media a 2-hour limit on the same day. Downtime applies to all apps at once, but you can add specific apps to an exception list so they remain available during Downtime.

Does Screen Time track location or see what the child is doing in each app?

No. Screen Time only tracks how much time is spent in each app and when. It does not show what websites were visited, what messages were sent, or where the device is located. For location tracking, use Find My. For content monitoring, you need a separate parental control app.

What if I forget the Screen Time passcode?

If you used your Apple ID instead of a separate passcode, you can reset it by signing out and back into your Apple ID in Settings. If you created a separate Screen Time passcode and forgot it, you will need to erase the iPad and set it up again — there is no recovery option for a forgotten Screen Time passcode.