Deleting apps with parental controls depends on who set them up
If parental controls are on your iPad, you cannot delete an app unless the person who turned on parental controls allows it. The steps to delete an app change based on whether you set up the controls yourself or someone else did — usually a parent or guardian.
If you set up your own parental controls and forgot the restrictions, you will need to turn them off first. If someone else set them up, you need their permission or their Screen Time passcode to remove the restriction that blocks app deletion.
The actual deletion process is the same as on any iPad: press and hold the app icon, then tap "Remove App" and confirm. But parental controls sit between you and that step, so understanding which type of control is blocking you matters before you try anything.
Key Takeaways
- If you set up Screen Time yourself, go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits or Always Allowed to find which apps are restricted, then remove them from the list.
- If someone else set up Screen Time on your iPad, you need their Screen Time passcode to change app restrictions or delete apps.
- Deleting an app that is restricted requires removing it from the restricted list first — you cannot delete it while the restriction is active.
- If you do not know the Screen Time passcode and cannot contact the person who set it, you will need to reset your iPad, which erases everything on it.
How to delete an app when you set up parental controls
Open Settings and tap Screen Time. Look at the sections labeled "App Limits" and "Always Allowed" — these are the two places where apps get restricted. If the app you want to delete is listed in either section, tap it and remove it from the list.
Once the app is no longer in a restricted category, go to your home screen, press and hold the app icon, tap "Remove App," then tap "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App" depending on what you want to do. If you choose "Delete App," confirm by tapping "Delete" when the iPad asks if you are sure.
If the app does not appear in App Limits or Always Allowed, parental controls are not blocking its deletion. The app may straightforward not be installed, or it may be a built-in app that iPad does not allow you to delete.
How to delete an app when someone else set up parental controls
You will need the Screen Time passcode that the other person created. Ask them for it, then open Settings > Screen Time and enter the passcode when prompted. Once you are in, follow the same steps as above: find the app in App Limits or Always Allowed, remove it from the list, then delete the app from your home screen.
If the person who set up Screen Time is not available and you do not have the passcode, you cannot change the restrictions without resetting your iPad. A reset erases all data on the device, so this should be a last resort.
What to do if you forgot your own Screen Time passcode
If you created Screen Time but cannot remember the passcode, you can reset it using your Apple ID. Open Settings > Screen Time, tap "Change Screen Time Passcode," then tap "Forgot Passcode?" You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password. Once you do, you can create a new Screen Time passcode and then remove app restrictions.
This process only works if you remember your Apple ID password. If you do not, you will need to recover your Apple ID through Apple's account recovery process before you can reset Screen Time.
Understanding App Limits versus Always Allowed
Screen Time has two different ways to restrict apps. App Limits sets a daily time limit for a category of apps — for example, you might limit Social Media to one hour per day. Once the time runs out, the app becomes unusable until the next day. Always Allowed is a list of apps that work no matter what other restrictions are on.
If an app is in App Limits, removing it from that category does not delete it — it just stops the time limit. You still need to delete the app from your home screen afterward. If an app is in Always Allowed, removing it from that list just means it will be subject to other restrictions; it does not delete the app either.
Neither of these restrictions actually prevents you from deleting an app — they just control how you can use it. The real block to deletion comes from the Screen Time passcode itself, which you need to change any restrictions at all.
When iPad will not let you delete a built-in app
Some apps that come with iPad cannot be deleted, even without parental controls. These include Stocks, Reminders, Books, Podcasts, and a few others. If you press and hold one of these apps, the menu will show "Remove App" but tapping it only removes it from your home screen — it stays installed on the device.
If parental controls are on and you see no delete option at all, the restriction is the issue. If you see "Remove App" but not "Delete App," the app is a built-in app that iPad does not allow full deletion of. Check Apple's support pages if you are unsure whether a specific app can be deleted.
Resetting your iPad if you cannot access Screen Time
If you do not have the Screen Time passcode and cannot contact the person who set it up, your only option is to erase the iPad and set it up again. This deletes everything on the device, including all apps, photos, and files. Do this only if you have backed up your data to iCloud or a computer first.
To erase your iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked for your Apple ID password. Once you enter it, the iPad will erase itself and restart as if it were brand new. You can then restore your data from a backup if you have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an app if parental controls are on but I do not know the passcode?
No, not without the passcode or the Apple ID password associated with the account. You need one of these to change any Screen Time restrictions. If you have neither, resetting the iPad is the only way forward.
Does removing an app from App Limits delete it?
No. Removing an app from App Limits stops the time limit but leaves the app installed. You must then delete it from your home screen separately by pressing and holding the icon and tapping "Delete App."
What happens if I reset my iPad to delete an app?
Resetting erases everything — all apps, photos, files, and settings. The iPad restarts as new. You can restore from a backup afterward, but the parental controls will also be restored unless you remove them from the backup first.
Can the person who set up parental controls see when I delete an app?
They can see it if they check the Screen Time report, which shows app usage and deletions. However, they will not get a notification the moment you delete it.
Why does my app show "Remove App" but not "Delete App"?
That app is built into iPad and cannot be fully deleted. You can only remove it from your home screen. It will stay on the device taking up storage space, but you will not see it on your screen.