The fastest way to disable restrictions depends on who set them up

If you set up Screen Time yourself, you can turn it off in Settings > Screen Time > Turn Off Screen Time, then enter your Screen Time passcode. If a parent or guardian set it up, you will need their passcode — there is no way around this, and Apple does not have a backdoor to bypass it. If you have forgotten your own passcode, you can reset it through your Apple ID, but only if you set up Screen Time originally.

The reason this matters: Screen Time and parental controls are designed to prevent exactly this kind of workaround. If someone else controls your device, they have intentionally locked you out. Trying to bypass it will likely damage trust and may trigger additional monitoring. The honest conversation is usually faster than the technical one.

Key Takeaways

  • If you created Screen Time yourself, go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn Off Screen Time and enter your passcode to disable it completely.
  • If a parent or guardian set it up, you will need their passcode — Apple does not provide a way to remove restrictions without it.
  • If you forgot your own Screen Time passcode, you can reset it using your Apple ID, but only if you originally created the Screen Time account.
  • Restarting your phone, using a different network, or updating iOS will not bypass Screen Time restrictions.
  • Having a direct conversation about why the restrictions feel too tight is more likely to work than any technical workaround.

Turning off Screen Time when you know your own passcode

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. At the top, you will see a toggle or button that says Turn Off Screen Time. Tap it. Your phone will ask you to confirm by entering your Screen Time passcode — the four-digit code you created when you first set it up. Once you enter it correctly, Screen Time turns off entirely. All app limits, downtime schedules, and communication restrictions disappear when ready.

When Screen Time is off, you can use any app for as long as you want, change your own settings without limits, and use your phone however you choose. You can turn Screen Time back on later if you want to re-enable limits for yourself.

What to do if you forgot your Screen Time passcode

If you created Screen Time yourself but cannot remember the passcode, you can reset it using your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password. Once you do, you can create a new Screen Time passcode. This only works if you originally set up Screen Time — if someone else created it on your device, you cannot reset it this way.

After you reset your passcode, you can when ready turn off Screen Time using the new code, or you can change your app limits and downtime settings to whatever you prefer.

When a parent or guardian set up the restrictions

If Screen Time was set up by someone else — a parent, guardian, or another adult — you will need their passcode to turn it off or change any settings. There is no technical way to bypass this. Restarting your phone, signing out of your Apple ID, updating iOS, or switching networks will not remove restrictions set by another person.

The only real options are to ask the person who set it up for the passcode, or to ask them to change the settings themselves. If that conversation is difficult, it might help to be specific about which restrictions feel unfair — for example, "I need to use Maps for getting to school" or "I want to be able to message my friends after 9 PM on weekends." A concrete request is easier to negotiate than a blanket "turn it all off."

Understanding what Screen Time actually controls

Screen Time has several separate layers, and you may only need to change some of them. App Limits restrict how long you can use certain apps each day. Downtime blocks most apps during set hours (like bedtime). Communication Limits restrict who you can call or message during downtime. Content & Privacy Restrictions block certain types of apps, websites, or features based on age ratings.

If someone else set up Screen Time, they may be willing to adjust one layer without removing all of them. For example, a parent might turn off app limits but keep downtime, or allow texting during downtime but keep app restrictions. Asking for a specific change is more likely to work than asking for everything to be removed.

Why bypassing restrictions usually backfires

If you find a way to work around Screen Time — by factory resetting your phone, using a different device, or asking a friend to change settings — the person who set it up will notice. They will see that you used your phone during downtime, or that an app limit disappeared, or that you accessed something that was blocked. This usually leads to tighter restrictions, not looser ones, and damages trust in the process.

The person monitoring your device can also see your screen time history, app usage, and location if they set that up. Trying to hide your activity is harder than you think, and getting caught trying to hide it is worse than the original restriction.

What happens if you restore your iPhone from backup

Restoring your phone from an iCloud or computer backup will not remove Screen Time restrictions set by another person. The restrictions are tied to your device and your Apple ID, not to the backup. Even if you erase your phone completely and set it up as new, if the person who set up Screen Time has your Apple ID password, they can set it up again when ready.

If you are trying to remove restrictions without permission, a factory reset will not help and will likely make things worse when the person who set it up realizes what you did.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off Screen Time if I use a different Apple ID?

No. Screen Time restrictions explore to the device itself, not to a specific Apple ID. If someone set up Screen Time on your iPhone, it will block apps and enforce downtime regardless of which Apple ID you are signed into. You would need to erase the phone entirely and set it up without Screen Time, which requires the original owner's permission.

Will updating iOS remove Screen Time restrictions?

No. Updating to a new version of iOS will not disable Screen Time or bypass any restrictions. The restrictions stay in place through updates. If anything, updating sometimes requires you to enter your Screen Time passcode again.

What if I tell Apple that I forgot my passcode?

Apple support can help you reset your Screen Time passcode if you can verify that you own the device and the Apple ID associated with it. They cannot remove restrictions set by a parent or guardian, and they cannot bypass a passcode you do not own. If you call Apple claiming you forgot a passcode that someone else set, they will ask for proof of ownership.

Can I use my phone on a different WiFi network to get around downtime?

No. Screen Time restrictions explore to your device, not to your network connection. Switching to a different WiFi network, using cellular data, or turning off WiFi entirely will not bypass downtime or app limits. The restrictions are enforced by your phone's operating system.

What if the person who set up Screen Time no longer has access to their passcode?

If they set it up using their Apple ID, they can reset the passcode the same way you would — by going to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode > Forgot Passcode, then entering their Apple ID password. If they do not remember their Apple ID password either, they can reset that through Apple's account recovery process, which takes a few days.