The fastest way to block apps on iPad is through Screen Time, Apple's built-in parental control tool

You can block individual apps, entire app categories, or all apps except the ones you choose to allow. Screen Time works on any iPad running iOS 12 or later. You set it up in Settings, create a four-digit passcode that only you know, and then configure which apps are restricted. The person using the iPad cannot remove these restrictions without that passcode.

The method you use depends on what you're trying to do: prevent accidental purchases, stop a child from accessing certain content, or limit screen time on specific apps. All three use the same Screen Time tool, but the setup steps differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is built into every iPad and lets you block apps, set time limits, or restrict content without installing anything extra.
  • You must create a Screen Time passcode before blocking apps — without it, you cannot enforce any restrictions.
  • Blocking apps for a child requires setting up a Family Sharing account and managing their restrictions from your own device.
  • Blocked apps remain on the home screen but cannot be opened; they do not delete themselves or reappear after updates.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you must reset your entire iPad to remove the restrictions.

How to block apps on your own iPad using Screen Time

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If this is your first time using Screen Time, tap "Turn On Screen Time" and choose "This is My iPad". You will see a prompt asking you to create a Screen Time passcode — this is a four-digit code that prevents anyone from changing your restrictions. Write this code down and store it somewhere safe, because Apple cannot retrieve it if you forget it.

Once your passcode is set, tap "App Limits" and then the plus sign to add a new limit. Select the app or category you want to restrict — for example, "Games" or "Social Networking" — and set a time limit. When the time runs out, the app will lock and require your passcode to open again. If you want to block an app entirely rather than limit its time, go back to the main Screen Time screen, tap "Restrictions", then "Allowed Apps", and toggle off any app you want to block.

Blocked apps will still appear on your home screen, but tapping them will show a message saying the app is restricted and ask for your Screen Time passcode. The app itself is not deleted and will not reappear on its own after an iPad update.

How to block apps on a child's iPad through Family Sharing

If the iPad belongs to a child, you manage their app restrictions from your own device using Family Sharing. First, make sure Family Sharing is set up: on your own iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then Family Sharing. If you have not set it up yet, tap "Create a Family" and add your child's Apple ID. Your child's iPad must be signed in with that same Apple ID.

Once Family Sharing is active, go to Settings on your own device, tap your name, then Family Sharing, then tap your child's name. Tap "Screen Time" and then "Turn On Screen Time". You will create a Screen Time passcode here — this is separate from your child's passcode and only you should know it. Then tap "Restrictions" and "Allowed Apps" to toggle off any apps you want to block on their device.

Your child will see these blocked apps on their home screen but cannot open them without your passcode. They cannot change these settings themselves because Screen Time is managed from your device, not theirs.

Blocking apps to prevent accidental purchases

If you want to stop someone from buying apps or making in-app purchases without permission, Screen Time is the tool for this as well. Set up Screen Time as described above, then go to Settings, tap Screen Time, and tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions". Turn on "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and enter your Screen Time passcode.

Scroll down to "iTunes & App Store Purchases" and tap "In-App Purchases". Choose "Don't Allow" to block all in-app purchases, or "Require Password" to require your passcode before any purchase goes through. You can also restrict app downloads entirely by going to "App Installation" and choosing "Don't Allow".

This method works whether you are restricting your own iPad or a child's device through Family Sharing. The person using the iPad will see a prompt asking for your Screen Time passcode whenever they try to make a purchase.

What happens when you block an app

A blocked app stays on the home screen and in the App Library. It does not delete itself, and it will not disappear after you update your iPad's software. When someone taps a blocked app, they see a message saying "This app is restricted" and a prompt to enter your Screen Time passcode. Without the correct code, the app will not open.

If you unblock an app later, it opens normally again with no data lost. Blocking an app does not affect any data stored inside it — photos, messages, or saved games remain intact. The app simply becomes inaccessible until you remove the restriction.

Removing or changing app blocks

To unblock an app, go back to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap "Restrictions", then "Allowed Apps". Find the app you blocked and toggle it back on. You will need to enter your Screen Time passcode to make this change. If you are managing a child's device through Family Sharing, make this change on your own device, not theirs.

To change a time limit instead of removing a block entirely, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap "App Limits", and tap the app or category you want to adjust. You can increase the time, decrease it, or delete the limit altogether. Again, your Screen Time passcode is required.

What to do if you forget your Screen Time passcode

Apple does not have a way to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode. Your only option is to erase your iPad completely and set it up again from scratch. This will remove all your data, apps, and settings unless you have a backup.

Before you erase, check whether you can restore from a backup made before you set the Screen Time passcode. Go to Settings, tap General, tap Transfer or Reset, and look for "Erase All Content and Settings". If you have an iCloud backup from before the passcode was created, you can restore from that backup after erasing. If all your backups include the passcode, you will have to erase and set up the iPad as new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove an app block without my passcode?

No. Once you set a Screen Time passcode, no one can unblock apps, change time limits, or disable Screen Time restrictions without entering that code. The only exception is if they erase the entire iPad and set it up again, which deletes all data on the device.

Will a blocked app still send notifications?

No. Blocked apps do not send notifications, and they do not run in the background. They are completely inaccessible until you unblock them.

Can I block apps on someone else's iPad without their knowledge?

Only if you are the parent or guardian managing their device through Family Sharing. If the iPad belongs to another adult, you cannot set up Screen Time restrictions without their permission and their Apple ID. Screen Time is designed for parental control, not for monitoring other adults.

What if my child knows my Screen Time passcode?

Change it. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap "Change Screen Time Passcode", enter your current code, and create a new one. Make sure to store the new code somewhere your child cannot find it.

Do app blocks stay in place after I update my iPad?

Yes. Screen Time restrictions remain active through software updates. The blocked apps stay blocked unless you manually unblock them using your Screen Time passcode.