I wanted to change a few things on my iPhone, but I kept running into restrictions. It was frustrating. Every time I tried to open an app or adjust a setting, something was blocked. I didn’t remember setting these limits, but they were there. I needed to turn them off.
After searching through my settings, I found out that restrictions are part of Screen Time. That’s when I realized I needed a passcode. The problem? I didn’t remember it. I had to figure out how to remove these restrictions, with or without the passcode. Here’s what I learned.
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Off Restrictions
I was tired of my iPhone blocking things I needed. Here’s how I fixed it.
Open Settings
The first step was easy, but I had to start somewhere.
- I tapped the Settings app on my home screen.
- This took me to the main settings menu, where all the options live.
Access Screen Time
This is where Apple hides the restrictions. I had to find it.
- I scrolled down and tapped Screen Time.
- A new screen popped up with different controls for tracking phone usage.
Enter Screen Time Passcode
I needed this passcode to make any changes.
- If my phone asked for a passcode, I had to enter it.
- If I forgot it, I had to reset it using my Apple ID.
Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions
This was where the real problem was hiding.
- I tapped Content & Privacy Restrictions under the Screen Time menu.
- A switch at the top let me turn everything off with one tap.
Turn Off Screen Time
I decided to remove restrictions completely.
- I scrolled to the bottom and tapped Turn Off Screen Time.
- A confirmation popped up, and I tapped Turn Off Screen Time again.
That was it. My phone was finally back to normal.
What If I Forgot My Screen Time Passcode?
I’ve been there—stuck, locked out of my own settings. But there’s a fix.
Reset Using Apple ID
If I remembered my Apple ID, this was the fastest way.
- I opened Settings and went to Screen Time.
- I tapped Change Screen Time Passcode twice.
- A Forgot Passcode? option popped up, and I tapped it.
- I entered my Apple ID and password, then followed the steps to reset it.
Factory Reset
If nothing else worked, I had to start fresh.
- I opened Settings and tapped General.
- I scrolled down to Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- I tapped Erase All Content and Settings.
- After confirming, my iPhone reset completely.
This wiped everything, so I backed up my data first. It was my last resort, but it worked.
Turning Off Restrictions on Specific iPhone Models
I thought different iPhone models might have different settings. But they don’t.
- The steps for turning off restrictions are the same for iPhone 11, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14.
- I followed the exact process I used before, and it worked.
- No matter the model, I just went to Settings > Screen Time and turned off restrictions.
That was it. No extra steps, no complications.
Disabling Restrictions for Specific Apps
I didn’t want to remove all restrictions, just for certain apps.
- I opened Settings and tapped Screen Time.
- I selected Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- I tapped Allowed Apps to see a list of apps.
- I switched on the apps I wanted to use, like WhatsApp or the App Store.
After that, the apps worked without any problems.
Managing Restrictions with Family Sharing
My iPhone was part of Family Sharing, so someone else controlled my settings.
- I opened Settings and tapped [My Name].
- I selected Family Sharing and found my name.
- I tapped Screen Time and adjusted the settings.
If a parent managed my restrictions, they had to change them from their device.