What "restrictions" means and why they exist
Restrictions are settings that limit what you can do on a device or account. They can prevent you from installing apps, visiting certain websites, changing settings, or using specific features. On phones and computers, they're usually called parental controls, Screen Time, or Family Link. On work devices, they might be called Mobile Device Management or endpoint controls.
Restrictions are put in place by the device owner, your employer, your school, or a parent or guardian. They exist to prevent accidental damage, enforce company policy, or protect younger users. The method to disable them depends entirely on who set them up and what kind of device you're using.
If you own the device outright and set the restrictions yourself, you can turn them off. If someone else set them — a parent, employer, or school — you'll need their permission or their account credentials to remove them. This guide covers the technical steps for the most common scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Restrictions you set yourself can be turned off using your own password or biometric authentication on most devices.
- Restrictions set by a parent or guardian require either their permission or their account password to disable.
- Work and school devices often have restrictions you cannot remove without IT department involvement, even if you own the physical device.
- The steps differ significantly between iPhones, Android phones, Windows computers, and Macs — each has its own settings menu.
- If you forget your own password, you may need to reset the device or contact the manufacturer's support.
Disabling restrictions on an iPhone or iPad
On Apple devices, restrictions are called Screen Time. If you set them yourself, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode. You'll be asked to enter your current passcode, then you can create a new one or turn Screen Time off entirely by selecting "Turn Off Screen Time" at the bottom of that menu.
If a parent or guardian set Screen Time on your device, you cannot remove it without their passcode. Ask them to open Settings on their own device, go to Family Sharing, select your name, tap Screen Time, and either change the restrictions or remove you from Family Sharing entirely. If you don't have access to that person, you'll need to reset the device to factory settings, which erases everything on it — contact Apple Support for guidance on that process.
Screen Time restrictions include app limits, downtime schedules, and content filters. Each one is controlled separately in the Screen Time menu, so you may be able to turn off one type of restriction without touching others.
Disabling restrictions on Android phones and tablets
Android restrictions vary by manufacturer and which account set them up. If you set them yourself through Google Family Link, open the Family Link app on your own device, select your name, tap Controls on Google Play, and toggle off the restrictions you want to remove. If Google Play Protect is blocking apps, go to Settings, tap Apps and notifications, tap Advanced, then tap Google Play Protect, and turn it off.
If a parent set up Family Link on your device, you cannot remove it without their Google account password. They need to open the Family Link app on their own device, select your name, and either change the rules or remove your device from Family Link. If the device is managed by your school or employer through Google Workspace, contact your IT department — you won't be able to remove those restrictions yourself.
Some Android devices also have a separate Kids Space or Kids Mode. If that's enabled, go to Settings, search for "Kids Space," and tap it to turn it off. You may need your device password.
Disabling restrictions on Windows computers
Windows has two types of restrictions: parental controls tied to a Microsoft account, and administrator-level restrictions on the computer itself. If you set parental controls on your own account, go to Settings, tap Accounts, select Family & other users, find your name, and tap Manage family settings online. From there you can adjust or remove the restrictions.
If a parent set them up, they need to sign into their own Microsoft account on any device, go to account.microsoft.com, select Family, find your name, and change the restrictions or remove you from the family group. If you're on a work computer, the restrictions are likely set by your employer's IT department and cannot be removed without their involvement.
If you're the administrator of the computer but forgot your password, you can reset it using another administrator account, a Microsoft account recovery email, or a password reset disk if you created one previously. If none of those options work, you may need to reinstall Windows, which erases the device.
Disabling restrictions on Mac computers
On a Mac, parental controls are called Parental Controls or Screen Time depending on your macOS version. If you set them yourself, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Screen Time, and click Options. Enter your password, then click Turn Off to disable Screen Time entirely, or adjust individual restrictions like app limits or downtime.
If a parent set Screen Time on your account, you cannot remove it without their password. They need to go to System Preferences on their own Mac, click Screen Time, select your account from the sidebar, and either change the restrictions or remove your account from Screen Time monitoring.
If you're on a managed Mac through work or school, restrictions are enforced through Mobile Device Management and cannot be removed without IT department help. Contact your IT support for changes.
What to do if you forgot your own password
If you set restrictions yourself but forgot the password, your options depend on the device type. On iPhones and iPads, you can use your Apple ID to reset your Screen Time passcode — go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap Forgot Passcode, and follow the prompts. On Android, you can reset your Google account password at accounts.google.com from any web browser, then use the new password in Family Link.
On Windows, use your Microsoft account recovery email to reset your password at account.microsoft.com. On Mac, use your Apple ID to reset your account password in System Preferences. If you don't have access to the recovery email or phone number associated with your account, you may need to contact the device manufacturer's support team or reset the device to factory settings.
Restrictions set by your employer or school
Work and school devices often have restrictions you cannot remove yourself, even if you own the physical device. These are enforced through Mobile Device Management software that your organization installed. Common examples include blocking certain apps, preventing you from changing network settings, or restricting access to websites.
If you need a restriction removed, contact your IT department or help desk. Explain what you're trying to do and why you need access. They can either remove the restriction, grant you an exception, or explain why it's in place. Do not try to bypass these restrictions — doing so may violate your employment or enrollment agreement and could result in disciplinary action.
If you left the organization but the device still has restrictions, contact IT and ask them to remove the Mobile Device Management profile. You'll need to provide proof that you no longer work or study there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove restrictions without the password?
Not without consequences. If you set the restrictions yourself, you can reset your password using your account recovery email or phone number. If someone else set them, you need their password or permission. Attempting to bypass restrictions through factory resets or third-party tools will erase your data or violate your device's security.
What happens if I factory reset my device to remove restrictions?
A factory reset erases everything on the device — all photos, messages, apps, and files. You'll need to set up the device from scratch. If the restrictions were tied to a parent's account, you may not be able to use the device afterward without their permission to set it up again.
Why can't I remove restrictions my parent set?
Parental controls are designed so that a child cannot disable them without the parent's password. This is intentional — it prevents the restrictions from being bypassed. If you want the restrictions removed, you need to ask your parent or guardian directly and have them make the change from their own account.
Are there apps that can remove restrictions?
No legitimate app can remove restrictions set by the device manufacturer or your account holder. Any app claiming to do so is either a scam or malware. The only way to remove restrictions is through the official settings menu using the correct password or account credentials.
What if my school device has restrictions I need removed for a class?
Contact your school's IT department or help desk and explain what you need to access for your class. They can grant you temporary access, remove the restriction, or suggest an alternative way to complete the assignment. Most schools have a process for this — don't try to work around the restrictions on your own.