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

Parental controls lock down what you can do on a device — which apps you can install, which websites you can visit, what time you can use the device. To remove them, you need either the PIN or password the person who set them created, or you need to reset the device to factory settings and lose everything on it. The fastest route is asking the person who installed them for the PIN. If that's not possible, the steps differ between Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

If someone else set up parental controls on a device you own, you have a legitimate reason to remove them. This guide covers the technical steps for each major operating system. It does not cover bypassing controls on a device you do not own or that someone else has the legal right to manage.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing parental controls requires the PIN or password set by whoever installed them, or a factory reset that erases the device.
  • On Windows, parental controls live in Settings under Family; on Mac, they are in System Settings under Parental Controls.
  • On iPhone and iPad, parental controls are called Screen Time and sit in Settings; removing them requires the Screen Time passcode.
  • On Android, parental controls are usually in Google Play Store settings or a separate app like Google Family Link; you need the parent account password to remove them.
  • If you have forgotten the PIN or password, a factory reset will remove parental controls but will erase all data on the device.

Removing parental controls on Windows

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, parental controls are managed through the Family settings. Open Settings, then select Accounts on the left side. Click Family and other users. You will see a list of accounts on the device. If parental controls are active on your account, it will show "Family" next to your name with a note that parental controls are on.

To remove them, you need to sign in with the adult account that set them up. That person can go to Settings, Accounts, Family and other users, find your account, and click Remove. If you do not have access to the adult account, you will need to reset Windows. This erases everything on the device, so back up your files first if possible. Restart your computer and press the Windows key repeatedly during startup to enter recovery mode, then select Reset this PC and choose Remove everything.

Removing parental controls on Mac

On macOS, parental controls are called Parental Controls and live in System Settings. Click the Apple menu, then System Settings. Scroll down and click General, then select Parental Controls. You will see a list of accounts with restrictions. To remove parental controls from an account, click the lock icon at the bottom left, enter the administrator password, then select the restricted account and click the minus button.

If you do not know the administrator password, you will need to reset macOS. This is more involved than Windows. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities, then Terminal. Type resetpassword and press Enter. This opens a password reset tool that lets you create a new administrator account. Once you have access, you can remove parental controls through System Settings as described above.

Removing Screen Time on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, parental controls are called Screen Time. Open Settings, scroll down to Screen Time, and tap it. If Screen Time is on, you will see options to manage app limits, downtime, and content restrictions. To turn off Screen Time entirely, tap Turn Off Screen Time at the bottom. The device will ask for the Screen Time passcode — this is the PIN the person who set it up created.

If you know the passcode, enter it and Screen Time will turn off. If you do not know it, you have two options. First, try the Apple ID password associated with the device — sometimes that works as a backup. If that fails, you will need to erase the device and set it up as new. Go to Settings, General, Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings. This removes Screen Time but erases everything else on the phone or tablet. You can restore from a backup afterward if you have one saved to iCloud.

Removing parental controls on Android

Android parental controls are usually managed through Google Play Store or a separate app like Google Family Link. Open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then select Settings. Scroll down to Family and tap Parental controls. If parental controls are on, toggle them off. You may need to enter a PIN.

If parental controls are managed through Google Family Link instead, the process is different. Family Link is a separate app that one account uses to control another. If you are the child account, you cannot remove Family Link yourself — the parent account must do it through their own device or the Family Link website. If you are the parent account and want to remove Family Link from a child's device, open the Family Link app, select the child's account, tap Settings, scroll to the bottom, and select Remove account. If you have forgotten the PIN for Play Store parental controls, go to Settings, Apps, Google Play Store, Storage, and tap Clear Data. This resets the parental controls settings, though it may also clear your Play Store preferences.

What to do if you have forgotten the PIN or password

If the person who set up parental controls is not available and you do not remember the PIN or password, your only option is a factory reset. This erases everything on the device — all apps, photos, documents, and settings. Before you do this, back up any files you want to keep. On most devices, you can back up to cloud storage like Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive.

A factory reset is the nuclear option, but it works on every device and every operating system. The steps vary slightly by device, but the general process is: go to Settings, find Reset or Erase, select Factory Reset or Erase All Content and Settings, and confirm. The device will restart and ask you to set it up as new. Once setup is complete, parental controls will be gone. You can then restore your backed-up files if you have them.

Why parental controls exist and when you might need them

Parental controls are designed to let parents manage what children can do on shared or personal devices. They can limit app installation, block websites, set screen time limits, and prevent purchases. If you are a parent setting up controls on a child's device, write down the PIN somewhere safe — if you lose it, you will face the same problem described above.

If you are an adult whose device has parental controls set by someone else, the fastest solution is a conversation with that person. If that is not possible and the device is yours, a factory reset removes the controls completely. If the device belongs to someone else, removing parental controls without permission is not something this guide covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove parental controls without the PIN?

Not without erasing the device. A factory reset removes parental controls but deletes everything on the device. If you have backed up your files to cloud storage, you can restore them after the reset is complete.

What if I am the parent and forgot my own PIN?

You can reset it using the account you used to set up parental controls. On Windows, use your Microsoft account password. On Mac, use your administrator password. On iPhone, use your Apple ID. On Android, use your Google account. If you have forgotten those passwords, you will need to recover them through the company's account recovery process before you can reset parental controls.

Will removing parental controls delete my apps and files?

No, unless you do a factory reset. If you have the PIN or password, removing parental controls leaves everything on the device intact. Only a factory reset erases data.

Can parental controls be removed remotely?

On some devices, yes. If parental controls are managed through a cloud account like Google Family Link or Apple's Family Sharing, the parent can remove them from another device by signing into that account. If controls are set locally with just a PIN, they cannot be removed remotely.

What happens if I reset my device but still have parental controls?

A factory reset removes parental controls completely. If you still see parental controls after a reset, it means they are being managed through a cloud account (like Google Family Link or Apple's Family Sharing) and the parent account is still active. You will need the parent to remove the device from their account.