How to Turn on Restrictions and Enable iPad Parental Controls

This article explains how to customize parental controls on the iPad (iOS 12 and later) to disable features such as FaceTime, iMessage, and in-app purchases. You can also set time limits on the websites a child can visit and restrict downloads from the App Store to age-appropriate apps.

How to Turn On iPad Restrictions

Parental controls allow you to regulate what is available on the iPad. First, you need to set a parental controls passcode and turn on Content and Privacy Restrictions.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Screen Time.

3. To set a passcode, tap Use Screen Time Passcode and enter a four-digit code when prompted.

   To change or turn off parental controls, return to this screen, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, and follow the on-screen prompts.

4. To set restrictions, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

5. Enter the passcode, then turn on the Content & Privacy Restrictions.

6. When the iPad parental controls are enabled, you can set different restrictions and control the default applications that came with the iPad.

iPad Parental Control Settings

After you create a passcode, tailor the restrictions to your child's age and what areas of the iPad you want them to access. This includes selecting the type of movies (G, PG, or PG-13) and music available to the child, and limiting the device to certain websites.

Here are some of the settings and what they do:

• iTunes & App Store Purchases prevents people without the passcode from installing or deleting apps or making in-app purchases.
• Allowed apps permits or blocks access to programs. Restricted apps don't appear on the Home screen.
• Content Restrictions sets limits on the types of media others can play on the iPad. For example, block R-rated movies and TV shows with a TV-MA rating, podcasts with an Explicit rating, and web content. It's also possible to block books, music, and movies.

The items in the Privacy section modify how the iPad behaves and what features are allowed. For example, in the Photos section, restrict access to Photos or disable the ability to share photos on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

The items in the Allow Changes section set limits to sections of the iPad settings, for example, setting a passcode, the volume control, and changes to the Apple ID account linked to the device.

Other Screen Time Settings

The main Screen Time menu has a few more restriction options:

• Downtime locks the device between specific hours of the day that you set.
• App Limits sets timers on how long you and your family can use certain apps each day.
• Always Allowed bypasses these two settings for certain programs you want to access during Downtime, for example, Messages.