You need the Screen Time passcode to disable parental controls

Parental controls on iPhone live inside the Screen Time settings. To turn them off, you'll need the four-digit passcode that was set up when Screen Time was first enabled. If you know that passcode, you can disable the restrictions in about two minutes. If you don't know it, the process is longer and involves resetting your iPhone or contacting Apple Support.

The person who set up Screen Time — usually a parent or guardian — is the only one who can remove it without that passcode. If someone else set it up on your device, you'll need to ask them for the passcode before you proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the Screen Time passcode to turn off parental controls; without it, you'll have to reset your iPhone or contact Apple Support.
  • Screen Time settings are found in Settings > Screen Time, and the disable option appears once you enter the correct passcode.
  • If you've forgotten the passcode, you can reset it using your Apple ID, but this requires access to the email address tied to that account.
  • Resetting your iPhone erases all data unless you restore from a backup, so this should be your last option.

Disable Screen Time if you know the passcode

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Screen Time. You'll see a menu with options like App Limits, Downtime, and Content & Privacy Restrictions. At the bottom of this screen, tap Turn Off Screen Time. Your iPhone will ask you to enter the Screen Time passcode. Type in the four-digit code and tap Turn Off to confirm.

Once you enter the correct passcode, Screen Time and all its restrictions shut down immediately. Your app limits disappear, downtime ends, and content filters stop working. You'll have full access to your iPhone again.

Reset the Screen Time passcode using your Apple ID

If you've forgotten the Screen Time passcode, you can reset it without erasing your iPhone. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Turn Off Screen Time. When the passcode prompt appears, tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.

Your iPhone will ask you to enter the Apple ID and password associated with your device. Once you do, you'll be able to create a new Screen Time passcode or skip this step entirely and turn off Screen Time. This method works only if you remember your Apple ID password. If you don't, you'll need to reset your Apple ID password first through iforgot.apple.com or the Find My app.

Erase your iPhone if you can't access the passcode or Apple ID

If you don't know the Screen Time passcode and can't access the Apple ID that's tied to your device, your only option is to erase your iPhone and set it up again. This removes all data, photos, messages, and apps unless you restore from a backup. Before you do this, make sure you have a recent backup saved to iCloud or your computer.

To erase your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will restart and walk you through the setup process. When you restore from your backup, your data returns — but Screen Time will be gone. If you don't have a backup, you'll start with a blank iPhone.

Contact Apple Support if you're locked out of your Apple ID

If you can't remember your Apple ID password and can't reset it through iforgot.apple.com, Apple Support can help you regain access. Call Apple at 1-800-MY-APPLE or visit an Apple Store with a photo ID. They can verify your identity and help you reset your account.

This process usually takes longer than the other methods — sometimes several days if Apple needs to verify your identity through additional steps. Have your device serial number ready, which you can find in Settings > General > About. Apple Support can also help if you believe someone else set up Screen Time on your device without your knowledge.

Prevent someone from re-enabling Screen Time after you disable it

Once you've turned off Screen Time, the person who originally set it up can turn it back on if they have access to your iPhone. If you want to prevent this, change your iPhone passcode. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models) and tap Change Passcode. You'll need to enter your current passcode first, then create a new one that only you know.

Changing your device passcode doesn't affect Screen Time directly, but it prevents someone from accessing Settings to turn Screen Time back on. If the person who set up Screen Time also knows your device passcode, you'll need to have a conversation with them about removing the restrictions, or consider changing your Apple ID password as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Screen Time and parental controls?

Screen Time is Apple's built-in tool that includes parental controls. It manages app limits, downtime, and content restrictions all in one place. Parental controls are the specific restrictions within Screen Time — like blocking certain apps or preventing access to adult content. You can't have parental controls without Screen Time, but you can use Screen Time without setting parental restrictions.

Can I disable parental controls on just one app instead of turning off Screen Time completely?

No. Screen Time is all-or-nothing — you either turn it off entirely or keep all the restrictions it enforces. If you want to remove the limit on a single app, you have to turn off Screen Time first. Once it's off, you can turn it back on and set up new limits that don't include that app.

Will disabling Screen Time delete my app limit history?

Yes. When you turn off Screen Time, your usage reports and app limit history are erased. If you turn Screen Time back on later, it starts fresh with no record of your previous limits or usage data.

What if my child's iPhone has parental controls and I don't remember the passcode?

You'll need to use the Apple ID that's linked to the child's device to reset the passcode. If you don't remember that Apple ID password, reset it at iforgot.apple.com using the email address you used to create the account. If you can't access that email, contact Apple Support with proof of purchase or identity.

Can I disable parental controls remotely from another device?

No. You must disable Screen Time directly on the iPhone that has it enabled. You cannot turn it off from a computer, another phone, or through the Find My app. You have to have the device in your hands and either know the passcode or have access to the Apple ID password.