4 quick ways to turn off parental controls on iPhone with or without passcode

You cannot disable parental controls on an iPhone if you lack the correct PIN, password, or administrative access from the parent/organizer account. Apple Screen Time requires authorization or removal from the controlling adult’s profile to turn off.

Do parental controls on iPhone turn off at 18?

No, parental controls and Screen Time restrictions do not automatically turn off the day you turn 18. Even though an Apple ID updates to an adult account, restrictions managed through Family Sharing can often persist until they are manually disabled.

How to deactivate parental control on iPhone?

To completely turn off parental controls on your iPhone, head to Settings > Screen Time, tap Turn off Screen Time, and type in the 4-digit passcode to confirm.

1. Completely disable Screen Time (Removes all controls)

If you want to turn off all the parental controls on your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Turn Off Screen Time.
  3. Enter your passcode.

2. Turn off only specific controls

As a parent, you may want to only disable some specific parental controls like app limits, web filters, or purchase restrictions on your child’s iPhone, but want to keep tracking other usage. For this, the steps are a bit different: 

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Enter your Screen Time passcode.
  4. Toggle off Content & Privacy Restrictions at the top, or tap individual categories (like iTunes & App Store Purchases or Allowed Apps) to customize.

3. Use Family Sharing

If the parental controls are managed remotely through a parent’s iPhone or iPad, turn them off this way:

  1. Open the Settings app on the parent’s iPhone.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Scroll down to the Family section and tap your child’s name.
  4. Turn off Screen Time or individually adjust their content and privacy restrictions for different iOS apps and features. 

Note: You can also remove the child from Family Sharing to remove all parental restrictions on their iOS device.

How to turn off parental controls on iPhone without a passcode?

If you want to disable parental controls on your iPhone and you don’t know the 4-digit passcode anymore:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode > Change Screen Time Passcode again.
  3. Tap Forgot Passcode?
  4. Enter the Apple ID and password used to set up the passcode, then create a new one.
  5. Then, go back to Change Screen Time Passcode and select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
  6. Now type in your newly created password, save the changes, and you can then disable parental controls or content restrictions without needing a passcode.

Do parental controls turn off at 13 on iPhone or iPad?

No, parental controls do not turn off automatically at 13 on an iOS device. They remain active until the managing parent manually removes the restrictions or the child reaches legal adulthood. However, at this age (the digital age of consent in the U.S.), the dynamic of how these controls work changes significantly:

  • Google Accounts: Children gain the option to manage their own Google Account, but they cannot do it alone. They must send a request to their parents, and both must agree to update the account. If the child decides they want to manage their account independently, parents must approve the transition.
  • Apple Accounts: Apple’s Screen Time limits and Content & Privacy Restrictions do not automatically drop at 13. These restrictions remain in place until the parent physically turns them off, disables the Screen Time passcode, or removes the child from the Family Sharing group.
  • Social Media: Many platforms (like Instagram or TikTok) transition users aged 13-15 into default “Teen Accounts.” These features have stricter privacy limits (like private accounts by default), though they are still actively monitored by connected parental controls.

How to override parental controls on an iPhone?

To override parental controls (Screen Time) on an iPhone, you must have the designated 4-digit Screen Time passcode or the linked Apple ID credentials. Without these, the settings cannot be bypassed directly on the device without a full factory reset. 

Why am I not getting my child’s app requests on my iPhone?

If you aren’t getting “Ask to Buy” or any app requests on your iPhone, the issue is usually caused by disabled notifications, an active Focus/Do Not Disturb mode, or an iCloud account mismatch. 

Follow this quick, step-by-step checklist to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

  • Turn off Focus/Do Not Disturb: Swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the Control Center and temporarily disable any active Focus or Do Not Disturb modes. These modes can block time-sensitive notifications like app requests. 
  • Check Notification Settings: Go to Settings > Notifications > Screen Time and ensure notifications are allowed, including lock screen alerts and banners. 
  • Verify Apple IDs: Go to Settings > [Your Name] and ensure you are signed in with the same Apple Account (Apple ID) used as the Family Sharing organizer. You can verify this by tapping Family > [Your Name] > Purchases to check your linked Apple Account for purchases. 
  • Confirm “Ask to Buy” is Enabled: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Family > [Your Child’s Name] > Ask to Buy and ensure Require Purchase Approval is toggled on. 
  • Check Device Names: Surprisingly, a known Apple bug requires your iPhone and your child’s iPhone to have completely different names. Go to Settings > General > About > Name on both devices to rename them. 
  • Restart and Update: A simple reboot can fix stuck iCloud syncing. Turn both your phone and your child’s phone off and on again. Next, make sure both devices are on the newest version of iOS/iPadOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

How to disable hotspot on iPhone parental controls?

Apple’s built-in Screen Time settings do not natively feature a specific switch to block Personal Hotspot. However, you can effectively disable it by restricting cellular data changes.

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time on your child’s iPhone.
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, turn the feature on, and type in your passcode.
  3. Scroll down to the Allow Changes section and tap Cellular Data Changes.
  4. Set it to Don’t Allow.

However, the best way is to restrict the hotspot from the carrier’s side. Since it is an add-on service provisioned by your network provider, they can disable it at the account level. Call them and ask customer service to remove the Hotspot/Tethering feature from your child’s iPhone.

T. Ahmed

T. Ahmed writes for a wide range of topics, including technology troubleshooting, business, finance, automotive, home improvement, gardening, Photography, and every other niche. Through years of hands-on research and writing experience, he continues to publish reader-friendly articles that are all about clarity, accuracy, and real value for everyday users who want clear answers without confusing terms. Hire him now to escalate your content with the best and updated SEO practices and a human tone.