Where to find iPad restrictions and what they control

iPad restrictions live in Settings under Screen Time, not under a section called "Restrictions" the way older iPad models had them. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You will need the four-digit passcode you set up for Screen Time — this is separate from your iPad unlock code and protects these settings from being changed by someone else using the device.

Once you are in Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can control what apps appear on the home screen, what content can be purchased or downloaded, what websites load, and what features like the camera or Siri actually work. Each restriction toggles on or off independently, so you can allow FaceTime but block the App Store, or allow Safari but only to certain websites.

If you do not remember your Screen Time passcode, you will need to erase the iPad and set it up again — there is no bypass. Write down your passcode somewhere safe the first time you create it.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time restrictions are found in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, not in a separate Restrictions menu.
  • You need a four-digit Screen Time passcode to change any restriction, and this code is different from your iPad unlock passcode.
  • You can restrict apps, app purchases, websites, camera access, and other features individually without restricting everything at once.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, the only way to change restrictions is to erase the iPad and set it up from scratch.
  • Restrictions explore to anyone using the iPad unless they know the Screen Time passcode, making them useful for shared devices or parental controls.

Turning restrictions on for the first time

If you have never set up Screen Time before, open Settings and tap Screen Time. Tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose whether this iPad is yours or a child's device. If you choose "This is my iPad", you set a passcode for yourself. If you choose "This is a child's iPad", you set a passcode that only you know, and the child cannot change restrictions without it.

After you create your four-digit passcode, you will see options to set app limits, downtime, and content restrictions. You do not have to set all of these at once — you can skip to Content & Privacy Restrictions when ready if you only want to block certain apps or websites right now.

Once Screen Time is on, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it to on. Now you can start blocking specific apps, websites, or features. The restrictions will not take effect until you turn this toggle on.

Blocking or allowing specific apps

In Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Apps. You will see a list of every app installed on the iPad, with toggles next to each one. Turn off the toggle next to any app you want to hide from the home screen. The app is not deleted — it just does not appear unless someone enters the Screen Time passcode.

Some apps cannot be restricted this way because they are built into iPad. Mail, Safari, and Settings will always appear. If you want to block Safari entirely, use the Allowed Apps section instead, which lets you choose which built-in apps show up at all.

Apps you hide will still receive notifications and updates in the background unless you also turn off notifications for them in Settings > Notifications. Hiding an app from the home screen does not stop it from running or using data.

Restricting websites and web content

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Web Content. You have three choices: Unrestricted Access (no blocking), Limit Adult Websites (blocks known adult sites but allows most others), or Allowed Websites Only (blocks everything except a list you create).

If you choose Limit Adult Websites, you can add specific sites to a blocked list by tapping "Never Allow" and typing the web address. If you choose Allowed Websites Only, you start with a blank list and add only the sites you want to work — everything else is blocked. This second option is much more restrictive and useful if you want a child to access only educational sites.

These restrictions explore to Safari and to any other app that uses the iPad's web browser. They do not block websites accessed through other apps like YouTube or social media apps, which have their own content controls.

Controlling app purchases and downloads

In Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases. You can restrict the ability to install new apps, delete apps, or make in-app purchases separately. Turn off "Installing Apps" to prevent anyone without the passcode from downloading anything from the App Store. Turn off "Deleting Apps" to prevent accidental or intentional removal of apps you want to keep.

In-app purchases are transactions that happen inside an app — like buying coins in a game or a subscription to a service. If you turn off "In-App Purchases", users can still open the app but cannot spend money inside it. This is useful if children use the iPad and you want to prevent surprise charges.

These restrictions do not affect apps that were already installed before you turned on restrictions. A user can still open and use any app that was there when you set up Screen Time.

Blocking camera, microphone, and other hardware features

Scroll down in Content & Privacy Restrictions to find toggles for Camera, Microphone, Photos, and other hardware. Turn off Camera to prevent anyone from taking pictures or recording video. Turn off Microphone to block audio recording and voice calls. These restrictions explore to all apps — FaceTime, Zoom, and photo apps will not be able to use these features.

You can also restrict Siri, AirDrop, and the ability to connect to other devices via Bluetooth. Turning off Siri prevents voice commands but does not disable the physical buttons or keyboard input. Turning off AirDrop prevents the iPad from sending or receiving files wirelessly to other Apple devices nearby.

If you restrict the camera but want to allow FaceTime, you will need to turn the camera back on — there is no way to allow one app to use it while blocking others. The restriction applies device-wide.

Changing or removing restrictions later

To change any restriction after you have set it up, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your passcode. You can toggle individual restrictions on or off, add or remove apps from the blocked list, or change which websites are allowed.

To turn off all restrictions at once, go to Screen Time and tap "Turn Off Screen Time". You will need to enter your passcode. This removes all app limits, downtime, and content restrictions, but you can turn Screen Time back on later if you need it again.

If you want to change your Screen Time passcode, tap Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode. You will need to enter your current passcode first, then create a new one. If you forget the current passcode, you cannot change it without erasing the iPad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restrict apps on my iPad without restricting websites?

Yes. In Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can toggle apps on or off independently from web content. Turn off specific apps in the Apps section while leaving Web Content set to Unrestricted Access, or vice versa. Each restriction works separately.

What happens if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

You cannot change or remove restrictions without the passcode. Your only option is to erase the iPad and set it up again, which will delete all data unless you restore from a backup. There is no way to recover a forgotten Screen Time passcode.

Do restrictions stop someone from using an app that is already installed?

No. Restrictions only hide apps from the home screen or block new downloads. If an app was installed before you turned on restrictions, anyone can still open and use it. You would need to delete the app manually if you want to remove it entirely.

Can I restrict one app but allow another app to do the same thing?

No. Hardware restrictions like camera and microphone explore to the entire iPad. If you turn off the camera, no app can use it — you cannot allow FaceTime to use the camera while blocking other apps. You can only restrict the feature or allow it for all apps.

Will restrictions stop background app refresh or notifications?

No. Hiding an app or blocking its purchase does not stop it from running in the background or sending notifications. You need to turn off notifications separately in Settings > Notifications for each app if you want to stop alerts from appearing.