Where to find iPhone Restrictions and what they control

iPhone Restrictions (now called Screen Time on newer models) live in Settings under Screen Time, not under a folder called Restrictions. On iPhones running iOS 12 and later, Apple moved the feature and renamed it, but the function is the same: you set limits on app usage, content types, and device features.

The controls let you block specific apps, prevent purchases, restrict web content by rating, turn off location services for certain apps, and set downtime periods when only essential apps work. You can also require a password to change these settings once they are in place.

If you are the device owner and you set up Screen Time yourself, you can change or remove restrictions at any time. If someone else set them up and you do not know the Screen Time passcode, the process is longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time is the current name for iPhone Restrictions and is found in Settings, not in a separate Restrictions folder.
  • You can change app limits, content filters, and downtime schedules by opening Screen Time and tapping the setting you want to adjust.
  • If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, you must sign in with your Apple ID to reset it, or erase the device and set it up again.
  • Removing all restrictions takes seconds if you know the passcode, but requires account recovery if you do not.

Changing app limits and downtime on your own device

Open Settings, then tap Screen Time. If Screen Time is already on, you will see your current usage and a list of options below it. Tap App Limits to adjust how long you can use specific apps or app categories before they lock. Tap the app or category, set the time in hours and minutes, and tap Add.

To change Downtime (the period when only calls and messages work), tap Downtime, toggle it on if it is off, then set your start and end times. The device will enforce these times every day unless you manually override them for that day.

To block a specific app entirely, go to App Limits, tap Add Limit, choose the app, and set the limit to zero minutes. The app will not appear on your home screen during downtime and will show a lock icon if you try to open it outside downtime.

Changing content and privacy restrictions

In Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and toggle it on. This section controls what types of content can be viewed, what apps can be installed, and whether certain device features work.

Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases to block app downloads, in-app purchases, or deletions. Tap Allowed Apps to turn off access to built-in apps like Camera, Siri, or AirDrop. Tap Content Restrictions to set age ratings for movies, TV shows, books, and apps, or to block explicit music and podcasts.

Each setting takes effect when ready. If you turn off Camera, for example, the Camera app disappears from the home screen and cannot be opened until you turn the restriction back on.

Removing restrictions if you know the Screen Time passcode

Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Screen Time Passcode. Enter your four-digit passcode. Tap Turn Off Screen Time and confirm. The device will ask you to enter the passcode one more time, then all restrictions will be removed.

If you want to keep Screen Time on but remove only specific restrictions, you do not need to turn off the whole feature. Instead, go to the individual setting (App Limits, Downtime, or Content & Privacy Restrictions) and toggle it off or delete the limit.

Resetting Screen Time if you forgot the passcode

If you do not remember your Screen Time passcode, you cannot change or remove restrictions without signing in with your Apple ID. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Screen Time Passcode. Tap Forgot Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode again on the next screen.

You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Once you do, you can create a new Screen Time passcode. This process works whether you set up Screen Time yourself or someone else did.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password either, go to iforgot.apple.com to reset it before you try to change Screen Time. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account.

Erasing and setting up the device again

If you cannot remember your Apple ID password and cannot reset it, the only way to remove Screen Time is to erase the iPhone and set it up as new. This deletes all data on the device, so use this only as a last resort.

Go to Settings, tap General, tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. The device will ask for your Apple ID password before it erases. If you do not have that password, you cannot proceed without contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store.

After the device erases and restarts, you can set it up without Screen Time, or set it up with new restrictions under your own control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change Screen Time restrictions on someone else's iPhone?

No. Only the person who set up Screen Time or knows the passcode can change it. If you are a parent managing a child's device, you use Family Sharing instead, which lets you set restrictions from your own iPhone.

What happens if I reach my app limit?

The app will show a lock icon and a message saying your time is up. You can tap Ask for More Time and request an extension, or wait until downtime ends. The app does not delete; it just locks until the limit resets the next day.

Does turning off Screen Time delete my usage data?

No. Your usage history stays on the device. If you turn Screen Time back on later, it will show your past usage. To clear the history, you must erase the device.

Can I set different Screen Time rules for different times of day?

Downtime applies the same schedule every day. App Limits also repeat daily. You cannot create different rules for weekdays versus weekends within Screen Time itself, but you can manually override limits each day if needed.

What if my child's device shows Screen Time but I did not set it up?

Someone with access to the device set it up, or it was inherited from a previous owner. If you are the current owner, sign in with your Apple ID on the Screen Time Passcode screen to take control and create a new passcode.