Parental controls on an iPad are designed to help parents and guardians manage screen time, apps, websites, purchases, privacy settings, and other features. However, there may come a time when those restrictions are no longer needed or when a parent wants to change the settings.

If you’re wondering how to turn off parental controls on iPad, the process usually involves Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions. The exact steps depend on how the iPad was configured and whether it belongs to an adult or is managed as a child’s device through Family Sharing.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the different situations step by step. We’ll also explain what happens when the Screen Time passcode is forgotten, why some settings may appear unavailable, and how a parent or guardian can manage restrictions from their own device.

Important: If the iPad is managed by a parent or guardian through Family Sharing, the authorized parent or guardian needs to make the changes. This guide covers legitimate settings changes rather than bypassing parental controls.

Table of Contents

What Are Parental Controls on an iPad?

Apple’s parental controls are primarily managed through Screen Time and related restrictions.

Parents can use these controls to manage things such as:

App usage
Downtime
Website access
App downloads
Purchases
Explicit content
Communication
Privacy settings
Account changes
Location-related settings
Other device features

Apple allows parents and guardians to manage a child’s iPad through Family Sharing and Screen Time.

Think of parental controls as a set of adjustable boundaries rather than a single switch.

That’s important because turning off one restriction doesn’t necessarily remove every other limitation.

Before You Turn Off Parental Controls

Before changing anything, determine how the restrictions were created.

There are several common situations:

Situation	Where to Change Settings
Personal iPad	Directly on the iPad
Parent manages child’s iPad	Parent/guardian’s device
Family Sharing	Family organizer or parent/guardian
Content restrictions only	Screen Time settings
Forgotten Screen Time passcode	Authorized account/passcode recovery
School-managed iPad	May require administrator

This distinction can save you a lot of frustration.

If you don’t see an option you expect, the iPad may be managed through Family Sharing or by an organization.

How to Turn Off Parental Controls on iPad

The most straightforward situation is when you are authorized to manage the iPad and know the Screen Time passcode.

Step 1: Open Settings

Start by opening the Settings app on the iPad.

Settings is where Apple places Screen Time and its related restrictions.

Step 2: Open Screen Time

Scroll through Settings and tap Screen Time.

You’ll see the Screen Time settings associated with the current iPad or, depending on the setup, family members whose settings you are authorized to manage.

Apple’s current iPad instructions place child-specific Screen Time management under the child’s name in Family settings.

Step 3: Check Content & Privacy Restrictions

Look for Content & Privacy Restrictions.

If it is enabled, these restrictions may be controlling:

Apps
Purchases
Websites
Content ratings
Privacy settings
Account changes
Other device features

Apple’s current instructions show that these restrictions are managed from Screen Time.

Step 4: Turn Off Content & Privacy Restrictions

If your goal is to remove the content and privacy restrictions, open Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn the feature off.

If the iPad asks for the Screen Time passcode, enter the authorized passcode.

Once disabled, restrictions controlled by this section will no longer be enforced.

However, remember that other Screen Time features can remain active.

How to Turn Off the Screen Time Passcode

If you want to remove the Screen Time passcode itself, the process is slightly different.

On an iPad where you are authorized to make the change:

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode.
Tap Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
Enter the current Screen Time passcode if requested.

Apple’s current support documentation confirms that the Screen Time passcode can be removed from Screen Time settings.

The Screen Time passcode is separate from the normal passcode used to unlock the iPad.

Is the Screen Time Passcode the Same as the iPad Passcode?

No.

This is a common source of confusion.

Your iPad may have:

Device passcode:
Used to unlock the iPad.

Screen Time passcode:
Used to protect Screen Time settings and restrictions.

Apple specifically notes that these are different passcodes.

So knowing the device unlock passcode doesn’t necessarily give you permission to change Screen Time restrictions.

How to Turn Off Individual Parental Controls Instead

You don’t always need to disable every parental control.

Sometimes you only want to remove one restriction.

For example, perhaps a parent wants to:

Allow an app download
Permit a website
Allow account changes
Permit a specific app
Change an age rating
Allow purchases

In that situation, keeping Screen Time enabled while changing the specific restriction may be better.

Allow App Downloads and Purchases

Open:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases

Depending on the current iPadOS version and configuration, you can manage settings related to purchases, downloads, and redownloads there.

This can be preferable to completely removing parental controls.

How to Allow Apps That Are Restricted

If an app has been hidden or restricted, check:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allowed Apps & Features

Apple explains that disabling an allowed app or feature does not necessarily delete it; it can instead temporarily hide the app or feature from the Home Screen.

Turning the relevant feature back on can restore access.

How to Remove Website Restrictions

Website restrictions can also be managed through Screen Time.

Go to:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → App Store, Media, Web & Games → Web Content

From there, an authorized parent or guardian can choose the appropriate web-content setting.

Apple provides options for controlling website access, including allowing or restricting particular websites.

If you’re a child or teen whose device is managed by a parent, the parent or guardian should make this change.

How to Remove App Time Limits

Sometimes what looks like a parental control is actually an App Limit.

For example, an app might stop working after a certain amount of daily usage.

To manage app limits:

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Open the relevant app-limit settings.
Select the limit you want to change or remove.
Confirm the change when prompted.

Screen Time allows parents to establish limits for particular apps or categories.

How to Turn Off Downtime

Downtime is another Screen Time feature that can restrict device use during scheduled periods.

If you are the authorized person managing the device:

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Open the Downtime settings.
Adjust or disable the schedule as appropriate.
Enter the Screen Time passcode if requested.

Parents can configure different Screen Time schedules for children, including different settings for different days.

How to Turn Off Parental Controls on a Child’s iPad

This situation is different from changing restrictions on your own personal iPad.

If the child’s iPad is managed through Family Sharing, the parent or guardian generally manages the child’s Screen Time from the family settings.

The parent should:

Open Settings on their own Apple device.
Open the family settings.
Select the child’s name.
Tap Screen Time.
Open the relevant restriction.
Make the authorized change.
Enter the required Screen Time passcode when prompted.

Apple states that when Family Sharing is used to manage a child’s Apple Account, the family organizer needs to manage the child’s Screen Time passcode on the organizer’s device.

This is an important distinction.

If you’re using a child’s iPad and the restrictions are controlled by a parent, changing settings directly on the iPad may not be possible.

What If the Screen Time Passcode Is Forgotten?

Don’t panic.

Apple provides a recovery process for forgotten Screen Time passcodes.

For a personal iPad, the authorized user can generally select the option to change the Screen Time passcode and use the Apple Account information associated with Screen Time passcode recovery.

Apple says the Apple Account used for recovery needs to be the same account that was used when Screen Time passcode recovery was configured.

Basic recovery process

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode.
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
Follow the onscreen recovery instructions.
Enter the Apple Account information requested.
Create a new Screen Time passcode.

This is an account-recovery process, not a method for bypassing someone else’s parental controls.

What If a Parent Manages the iPad Through Family Sharing?

If the iPad belongs to a child or teen in a Family Sharing group, the situation is different.

Apple states that when a parent or guardian manages Screen Time through Family Sharing, the parent or family organizer manages the child’s Screen Time settings from their own device.

In practical terms, this means:

Child’s iPad → Restrictions managed by parent → Parent changes settings

If you are the child using the iPad, ask the parent or guardian to make the change.

Why Is My Apple Account Grayed Out?

Another common issue is finding that your Apple Account name or account settings are unavailable.

Screen Time restrictions can prevent changes to account settings.

Apple recommends checking:

Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Allow Changes To → Accounts

If account changes are set to Don’t Allow, an authorized person can change the setting to Allow, subject to the Screen Time passcode.

This can solve situations where account settings appear locked.

How to Check Which Restrictions Are Active

If you’re unsure what is restricting the iPad, don’t immediately turn everything off.

Open:

Settings → Screen Time

Then review the available categories.

Look for:

Downtime
App Limits
Always Allowed
Communication Limits
Content & Privacy Restrictions
Content restrictions
Web content
Purchase restrictions
Privacy restrictions
Account restrictions

This lets you identify the actual cause of the limitation.

What Happens When You Turn Off Parental Controls?

The exact result depends on which feature you disable.

For example:

Setting Changed	Possible Result
Content & Privacy Restrictions	Content and privacy restrictions are removed
App Limit	Specific usage limit is removed
Downtime	Scheduled restrictions are changed
Website restrictions	More websites may become accessible
Purchase restrictions	Purchase permissions may change
Allowed Apps	Previously restricted apps/features may become available
Screen Time passcode	Protection for Screen Time settings is removed

That’s why it’s usually better to change only the restriction you actually want to modify.

Should You Completely Disable Parental Controls?

Not necessarily.

If a child or teen still benefits from some restrictions, parents can keep Screen Time enabled while adjusting individual settings.

For example, a parent might allow:

More daily app time
Additional educational apps
More websites
Different content ratings
Account changes when appropriate

while keeping other protections active.

Apple’s Screen Time system is designed to let parents customize individual restrictions rather than requiring an all-or-nothing approach.

Parental Controls vs. Guided Access

Don’t confuse parental controls with Guided Access.

Guided Access temporarily restricts an iPad to a single app. It is commonly used for focused tasks or when letting someone use the iPad for a particular activity.

If the iPad is stuck inside one app, parental controls may not be the problem.

Check:

Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access

This is a separate feature from Screen Time.

What If the iPad Belongs to a School?

A school-owned or organization-managed iPad may have additional restrictions.

In that situation, some settings may be controlled through device management rather than ordinary Screen Time.

If you see restrictions that cannot be changed through normal Settings, the iPad may be managed by an organization.

You should contact the school or organization responsible for the device rather than attempting to circumvent its management.

Common Problems When Turning Off Parental Controls

Problem 1: The Option Is Missing

The setting may be controlled through Family Sharing or another management configuration.

Check whether the iPad is part of a family group and whether a parent or guardian manages Screen Time.

Problem 2: The iPad Requests a Passcode

That’s normal.

The Screen Time passcode is specifically designed to prevent unauthorized changes.

The person who manages Screen Time should enter the passcode.

Problem 3: You Forgot the Passcode

Use Apple’s official Screen Time recovery process if you are the authorized account holder.

Problem 4: The Apple Account Is Grayed Out

Check whether account changes are blocked under Content & Privacy Restrictions.

An authorized person can change the relevant setting when permitted.

Problem 5: Restrictions Keep Coming Back

If the iPad is managed through Family Sharing, the parent or guardian’s settings may continue to control the device.

Check the Family Sharing configuration rather than repeatedly changing settings on the iPad.

Tips Before Removing Parental Controls

Before making major changes, consider these tips:

Review the Current Settings

Know which restrictions are currently enabled.

Change One Setting at a Time

This makes troubleshooting easier.

Keep the Screen Time Passcode Secure

The passcode protects the restrictions.

Use Family Sharing Properly

If a child’s account is managed through Family Sharing, make changes from the authorized parent’s device.

Don’t Disable More Than Necessary

If you only need to install one approved app, there’s usually no reason to remove every restriction.

How Parents Can Gradually Adjust iPad Restrictions

Parents don’t necessarily have to choose between “fully restricted” and “completely unrestricted.”

A gradual approach can work better.

For example:

Stage 1: Strict Settings

Use stronger app, content, web, and purchase restrictions.

Stage 2: More Flexibility

Allow additional educational and entertainment apps.

Stage 3: Increased Responsibility

Increase app limits and allow more appropriate content.

Stage 4: Fewer Restrictions

As appropriate, reduce restrictions while continuing to discuss safe and responsible device use.

Screen Time allows parents to adjust many of these settings over time.

Quick Checklist: How to Turn Off Parental Controls on iPad

Here’s the short version:

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Determine whether you’re managing your own device or a child’s device.
Open Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Turn off the restrictions you no longer need.
Enter the Screen Time passcode if requested.
If necessary, manage App Limits or Downtime separately.
If the passcode is forgotten, use Apple’s authorized recovery process.
If Family Sharing manages the iPad, have the parent or guardian make the change.
Check the iPad afterward to confirm the intended settings changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off parental controls on an iPad without the Screen Time passcode?

If Screen Time is protected by a passcode, you generally need the authorized passcode or Apple’s supported account-recovery process. If a parent manages the device through Family Sharing, the parent or guardian needs to make the change.

How do I remove Screen Time restrictions from my own iPad?

Open Settings → Screen Time and manage the relevant Screen Time settings. If you want to remove the Screen Time passcode, use Change Screen Time Passcode → Turn Off Screen Time Passcode and authenticate as requested.

Can a child turn off parental controls themselves?

If a parent or guardian manages the child’s iPad through Family Sharing, the child generally cannot simply remove those controls independently. The parent or guardian manages the child’s Screen Time settings from their authorized device.

Why is my Apple Account grayed out on my iPad?

Screen Time’s Content & Privacy Restrictions can prevent account changes. An authorized person can check Allow Changes To → Accounts and change it to Allow when appropriate.

Will turning off Screen Time delete my apps or files?

Turning off Screen Time restrictions does not mean that your ordinary apps, photos, notes, or other personal files are automatically deleted. It changes the restrictions controlled by Screen Time. However, individual settings can have different effects, so review what you’re changing before confirming.

Conclusion

Learning how to turn off parental controls on iPad is relatively straightforward when you have the authorization and Screen Time credentials needed to manage the device.

For a personal iPad, start with Settings → Screen Time and review the active restrictions. If you want to remove content and privacy limitations, check Content & Privacy Restrictions. If you want to remove the Screen Time passcode itself, use the Screen Time passcode settings.

The situation is different when an iPad belongs to a child in a Family Sharing group. In that case, Apple places control with the authorized parent or guardian, who manages the child’s Screen Time settings from their own device.

If you’ve forgotten a Screen Time passcode, use Apple’s supported recovery process rather than trying to bypass the protection.

Finally, remember that you don’t always need to remove every parental control. In many cases, changing one specific restriction—such as an app limit, website setting, or purchase permission—is the better solution.

The goal should be to configure the iPad appropriately for the person using it while keeping the device secure and manageable.