The basic steps depend on what device and which parental control system you're using

Parental controls lock down what a device can do — which apps open, which websites load, what time the device shuts down. To turn them off, you need the PIN or password that was set when they were turned on. If you set them yourself, you already have it. If someone else set them, you'll need to ask them for it, or use the account recovery process for that device or service.

The exact steps change depending on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, Mac, or a gaming console. Each one has its own settings menu and its own way of removing restrictions. Some parental controls live in the device itself. Others live in an account (like Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time) and control multiple devices from one place.

If you've forgotten the PIN or the person who set it won't give it to you, there are ways forward — but they take longer and sometimes require proof of ownership or identity.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the PIN or password to turn off parental controls; if you don't have it, you'll need to use account recovery or contact the person who set it.
  • iPhone parental controls live in Settings under Screen Time; Android controls are in Google Family Link or Samsung Kids; Windows uses Family options in Settings.
  • If parental controls are linked to someone else's account (like a parent's Apple ID), you cannot remove them without that person's password or approval.
  • Resetting a device to factory settings will remove parental controls, but it also erases everything on the device and requires proof of ownership to reactivate.

iPhone and iPad: Removing Screen Time restrictions

On Apple devices, parental controls are called Screen Time. To turn them off, go to Settings, then Screen Time. At the top, tap your name or "Family" if it's a family member's device. Then tap "Turn Off Screen Time" at the bottom of the screen. You'll be asked for the Screen Time PIN.

If you set the PIN yourself and remember it, enter it and you're done. If you don't remember the PIN, tap "Forgot Passcode?" and Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your Apple ID password. You'll need access to the email address or phone number linked to that Apple ID.

If the Screen Time is controlled by a parent or guardian through Family Sharing, you cannot turn it off yourself — the parent has to do it from their device, or you need their Apple ID password. There is no way around this without their involvement.

Android phones: Removing Google Family Link or Samsung Kids

Android parental controls usually run through Google Family Link (Google's system) or Samsung Kids (on Samsung phones). These are account-based, which means they control the device from a parent's account.

If you're the child account holder, you cannot remove Family Link yourself — the parent has to remove it from their own device or account. The parent opens the Family Link app, selects your account, and taps the menu to remove the child account. If you're the parent and you set it up, open Family Link, select the device, and tap "Remove account."

For Samsung Kids, go to Settings, then Apps, then Samsung Kids. Tap "Uninstall" or "Turn off." You may be asked for a PIN. If you don't remember it, you can reset it using your Samsung account password.

Windows computers: Disabling Family options

Windows parental controls are called Family options (on older Windows) or Family safety (on Windows 11). Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Family & other users. Find the account with restrictions, and click "Remove." You'll need the administrator password for the computer.

If the restrictions are linked to a Microsoft account (not just the local computer), you need the password to that Microsoft account. If you don't have it, you can reset it at account.microsoft.com using your recovery email or phone number.

If you're the child account and a parent set this up, they need to remove it themselves from their administrator account, or you need their Microsoft password.

Mac computers: Turning off Parental Controls

On a Mac, parental controls are in System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions). Click the Apple menu, then System Preferences or System Settings. Look for "Parental Controls" or "Screen Time." Select your account and click the lock icon to unlock it — you'll need the administrator password. Then click "Turn Off Parental Controls."

If you don't know the administrator password, you can reset it using your Apple ID. Restart the Mac and hold Command-Q at the login screen to open password reset options.

Gaming consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo

On PlayStation 5, go to Settings, then Parental Controls/Family Management, then Parental Controls. Select your account and enter the PIN. On Xbox Series X/S, go to Settings, then Account, then Family settings, then Manage family members, and select the account. On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, then Parental Controls, then Change Settings.

Each console asks for a PIN to change restrictions. If you set it and remember it, enter it. If you don't remember it, you'll need to use the account recovery process for that console, which usually requires a linked email address or phone number.

If you don't have the PIN and can't recover it

If you've forgotten the PIN and don't have access to the recovery email or phone number, your last option is to reset the device to factory settings. This erases everything on it — all apps, photos, messages, and files. After the reset, you'll need to set up the device again from scratch.

On iPhone, you can erase it through Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. On Android, go to Settings, then System, then Reset options, then Erase all data. On Windows, go to Settings, then System, then Recovery, then Reset this PC. On Mac, restart and hold Command-R to enter Recovery mode, then use Erase Mac.

After a factory reset, you'll be asked to sign back into your account (Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account, or Samsung account). If the device was originally set up with someone else's account, you may not be able to reactivate it without their password — this is an anti-theft feature. Contact the original account holder or the device manufacturer's support line with proof of purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove parental controls if my parent set them up?

Not without their password or PIN. Parental controls are designed to prevent exactly this. You'll need to ask them to remove it, or use the account recovery process if you have access to the recovery email or phone number. If you're in a situation where you feel the restrictions are unfair, talking to the parent or guardian is the only real path forward.

What happens if I reset my device to factory settings?

Everything on the device gets erased — all photos, messages, apps, and files. The parental controls will be gone, but you'll have to set up the device again from scratch. If the device was originally set up with someone else's account, you may not be able to use it afterward without their password, because of anti-theft protections.

Can I remove parental controls from someone else's device?

No. You need either the PIN or the password to the account that set them up. If you don't have either, you cannot remove them without the original account holder's help or a factory reset (which erases the device).

What if I have the PIN but forgot which device I set it on?

The PIN is specific to each device or account. If you remember the PIN but not which device you used it on, try it on each device. If it doesn't work, use that device's account recovery process (Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account, or Samsung account) to reset it.

Do I lose my data if I turn off parental controls?

No. Turning off parental controls through the normal settings menu removes the restrictions but keeps all your data, apps, and files. You only lose data if you do a factory reset, which is a different process.