The quickest way to switch an iPad from child to adult mode

If you set up an iPad with Screen Time parental controls or a child Apple ID, you can remove those restrictions by turning off Screen Time, changing the Apple ID to an adult account, or both. The exact steps depend on whether the iPad is linked to a parent's account through Family Sharing or set up entirely under a child's Apple ID.

The fastest route is usually to turn off Screen Time in Settings, which removes app limits and content restrictions without touching the Apple ID. If the iPad has a child Apple ID and you want to use it as an adult device, you will need to sign out of that account and sign in with an adult Apple ID instead — this is a separate step from disabling Screen Time.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time controls can be turned off in Settings without changing the Apple ID, which takes about two minutes.
  • If the iPad uses a child Apple ID, you must sign out and sign in with an adult account to fully convert it to an adult device.
  • Turning off Screen Time requires the Screen Time passcode, which is different from the device passcode.
  • Removing a child Apple ID from Family Sharing requires the parent's account and password to confirm the change.
  • All content on the iPad stays in place when you disable Screen Time or change the Apple ID.

How to turn off Screen Time parental controls

Open Settings and tap Screen Time. If Screen Time is on, you will see a green toggle at the top. Tap it to turn Screen Time off. You will be asked to enter the Screen Time passcode — this is the four-digit code set when parental controls were first turned on, not the device passcode.

If you do not know the Screen Time passcode, you will need to reset it. On the same Screen Time settings page, scroll down and tap Change Screen Time Passcode. You will be asked to verify your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once verified, you can create a new passcode or turn off Screen Time entirely.

After Screen Time is off, all app limits, content restrictions, and downtime schedules disappear. The iPad will function as an unrestricted device. This step alone is usually enough if the iPad already has an adult Apple ID on it.

How to change the Apple ID from child to adult

If the iPad is signed in with a child Apple ID, you need to sign out of that account and sign in with an adult one. Open Settings, tap the name at the top, then scroll down and tap Sign Out. You will be asked to enter the child Apple ID password. After signing out, tap Sign In and enter an adult Apple ID and password.

If the child Apple ID is part of Family Sharing, signing out will remove the iPad from that family group. The parent account holder will see the device disappear from their Family Sharing settings. This is normal and cannot be undone from the child's side — the parent must confirm the removal or the device will stay linked to the family account.

Once you sign in with an adult Apple ID, the iPad is no longer subject to parental controls tied to that family group. You can now read any app, change settings freely, and manage the device as an adult user would.

What happens to apps, photos, and data when you make the change

Apps, photos, messages, and all other content on the iPad remain in place when you turn off Screen Time or change the Apple ID. Turning off Screen Time does not delete anything — it only removes the restrictions on what can be accessed or used.

Changing the Apple ID is different. When you sign out of a child Apple ID and sign in with an adult one, apps purchased under the child account will still be on the device and will still work. However, future app updates and new app purchases will be tied to the adult Apple ID. If you want to remove apps that were purchased under the child account, you can delete them manually from the home screen.

Photos, notes, reminders, and other data stored locally on the iPad are not affected by either change. Data synced to iCloud through the child account (such as photos in iCloud Photo Library or notes in iCloud) will stop syncing once you sign out, but the files themselves remain on the device.

Removing the iPad from Family Sharing

If the child Apple ID is part of a Family Sharing group, the parent account holder can remove the iPad from that group through their own device. The parent opens Settings, taps their name, then Family Sharing, then the child's name, then the iPad name, and selects Remove from Family Sharing. This action must be confirmed with the parent's Apple ID password.

Once removed, the child Apple ID is no longer managed by parental controls through that family group. However, the child account itself still exists — it is just no longer linked to the parent's account. If you want to fully convert the iPad to an adult device, you still need to sign out of the child Apple ID and sign in with an adult one.

If you do not have access to the parent account, you cannot remove the iPad from Family Sharing yourself. You will need the parent to do it, or you can proceed with signing out of the child account and signing in with an adult account — the device will function as an adult iPad, but the old child account will remain in the Family Sharing group until the parent removes it.

Resetting the Screen Time passcode if you forgot it

If you do not remember the Screen Time passcode, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode. The system will ask you to verify your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once you verify, you can set a new passcode or disable Screen Time without entering the old one.

If you cannot verify your identity because you do not know the Apple ID password either, you will need to reset the Apple ID password through the Apple ID website or through another Apple device. Once the password is reset, you can use it to verify your identity and change the Screen Time passcode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing from child to adult settings delete everything on the iPad?

No. Turning off Screen Time and changing the Apple ID both leave all apps, photos, messages, and files on the device. Apps purchased under the child account will continue to work, though future updates will be tied to the adult account. You can delete old apps manually if you want.

Can I turn off Screen Time without knowing the passcode?

Yes. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Change Screen Time Passcode, and verify your identity with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once verified, you can set a new passcode or turn off Screen Time entirely without entering the old code.

What happens to the child Apple ID after I sign out?

The child Apple ID still exists and can be used on other devices. If it was part of Family Sharing, it remains in that group until the parent removes it. Signing out of the account on the iPad does not delete the account itself.

Do I need to do both steps, or just one?

If the iPad already has an adult Apple ID on it, you only need to turn off Screen Time. If it has a child Apple ID, you should do both: turn off Screen Time and sign in with an adult Apple ID. Doing both ensures the device is fully converted to adult use.

Can the parent still see the iPad after I change it to an adult account?

Once you sign out of the child Apple ID and sign in with an adult one, the iPad is no longer visible in the parent's Family Sharing settings. The parent can no longer track location, set app limits, or view screen time for that device.