You can change parental controls in Settings under Screen Time, but the method depends on whether you know the Screen Time passcode

Parental controls on iPhone live inside the Screen Time feature, which limits app usage, restricts content, and controls what devices can communicate with each other. If you set up Screen Time yourself and remember the passcode, you can change any restriction in a few taps. If you forgot the passcode or inherited a device with Screen Time already active, the process is longer — you may need to reset the entire device or contact the person who set it up.

The fastest route depends on your situation: whether you are the parent changing your own rules, a teen whose parent gave you permission to adjust settings, or someone trying to regain access to a device you own but cannot unlock.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time passcodes are separate from your Apple ID password and cannot be recovered through Apple — you must reset the device or contact whoever set it.
  • If you know the Screen Time passcode, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap the category you want to change (App Limits, Content & Privacy, or Downtime).
  • Changing parental controls requires the Screen Time passcode even if you know your Apple ID password, because Screen Time is designed to prevent someone from disabling restrictions without permission.
  • If you are the device owner and forgot the passcode, you can erase the device and set it up fresh, which removes all Screen Time settings.

Changing restrictions when you know the Screen Time passcode

Open Settings on the iPhone. Scroll down and tap Screen Time. You will see four main categories: Downtime, App Limits, Always Allowed, and Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Each category controls a different part of how the phone works. Downtime blocks almost all apps during set hours — useful for bedtime or school. App Limits sets daily time caps on specific apps or categories (Social Media, Games, Entertainment). Always Allowed lists apps that work even during Downtime. Content & Privacy Restrictions controls what content can be viewed (movies, music, websites) and what device features can be used (camera, Siri, AirDrop).

Tap the category you want to change. When you make a change, the phone will ask for your Screen Time passcode — a four-digit code set up when Screen Time was first turned on. Enter it, and the change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart the phone.

Removing or turning off Screen Time entirely

If you want to turn off Screen Time completely rather than just adjust one setting, go to Settings > Screen Time and scroll to the bottom. Tap Turn Off Screen Time. The phone will ask for your Screen Time passcode. Once you enter it, all restrictions disappear and Screen Time stops tracking usage.

Turning off Screen Time is different from changing individual restrictions — it removes the entire system. If you are a parent, turning it off means your child can use the phone without any limits. If you are a teen and your parent set this up, you will not be able to turn it off without the passcode.

What to do if you forgot the Screen Time passcode

Apple does not have a way to recover a forgotten Screen Time passcode. You cannot reset it through your Apple ID, and Apple Support cannot retrieve it for you. Your options are to erase the device or contact the person who set it up.

If you are the device owner and want to erase it, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm (this is a security measure to prevent theft). Once you confirm, the device resets to factory settings and all Screen Time restrictions are removed. You will need to set up the phone again from scratch, which takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you restore.

If you are not the device owner — for example, if a parent set up Screen Time on your phone and you do not have permission to erase it — you will need to ask them for the passcode or ask them to change the settings for you.

Changing Screen Time settings on a child's device from your own phone

If you are a parent with your own iPhone, you can set up and manage Screen Time on your child's device through Family Sharing. This lets you change restrictions without needing to touch their phone.

On your own iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing > Parental Controls. Tap your child's name, then tap Screen Time. From here you can adjust Downtime, App Limits, and Content & Privacy settings. Any change you make appears on their phone within a few seconds. You do not need their Screen Time passcode because you are managing it from your account.

Family Sharing requires that your child's device is linked to your Apple ID through their own Apple ID account. If the device is not set up that way, you will need to set up Family Sharing first, which involves creating an Apple ID for your child if they do not have one.

Understanding the difference between Screen Time passcode and Apple ID password

These are two separate things, and confusion between them is the most common reason people get stuck. Your Apple ID password unlocks your account, lets you read apps, and backs up your data to iCloud. Your Screen Time passcode is a four-digit code that protects the restrictions themselves.

You can know your Apple ID password and still not be able to change Screen Time settings if you do not know the Screen Time passcode. This is intentional — it prevents someone from disabling parental controls just by guessing your Apple ID password. The two passcodes are completely independent.

When you set up Screen Time for the first time, the phone asks you to create a Screen Time passcode. If you set it up yourself, write it down somewhere safe. If someone else set it up on your device, only they know the code unless they told you.

Changing content restrictions for apps, websites, and media

Content & Privacy Restrictions is where you control what type of content can be viewed and what features can be used. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.

Inside this section you will see options for iTunes & App Store Purchases (which apps can be downloaded), Allowed Apps (which built-in apps like Camera or Siri can be used), Web Content (which websites can be visited), and Media (which movies, TV shows, and music can be played based on rating). You can also restrict changes to privacy settings, which prevents someone from turning on location sharing or changing microphone permissions.

Each option has a toggle or dropdown menu. For example, under Web Content you can choose Unrestricted, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only. If you choose Allowed Websites Only, you manually add each website that is permitted. This is the most restrictive option and is often used for young children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change Screen Time settings on someone else's iPhone without their passcode?

Only if you are their parent and have set up Family Sharing on your own device. Then you can manage their Screen Time from your phone without needing their passcode. If you are not set up through Family Sharing, you need the Screen Time passcode to make any changes.

What happens if I turn off Screen Time but my parent has Family Sharing set up?

You cannot turn it off. If your parent is managing your Screen Time through Family Sharing on their device, the restrictions stay active even if you try to disable Screen Time on your phone. Your parent would need to remove you from Family Sharing or turn off Screen Time management from their end.

Is there a way to reset the Screen Time passcode without erasing the phone?

No. Apple does not provide a passcode recovery option for Screen Time. If you forgot it and are the device owner, erasing the phone is the only way to remove the restrictions. If you are not the owner, you must contact whoever set it up.

Can I set different Screen Time rules for different times of day?

Downtime lets you set one block of time per day when most apps are unavailable. You cannot create multiple separate time blocks — for example, you cannot block apps from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the same rule. You can only set one continuous Downtime window.

Does Screen Time track what apps my child is using?

Yes. Screen Time shows you a detailed breakdown of which apps were used and for how long. You can see this on your own device through Family Sharing, or on the child's device under Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity. This data is stored on the device itself, not sent to Apple.