To set up parental controls on an iPad, use Screen Time. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, and turn it on. Lock the settings with a Screen Time Passcode (different from the iPad unlock code), then configure content limits, app restrictions, and purchase approvals directly on the device or via Family Sharing.
Setting a Passcode and Basic Limits
- Open the Settings app on the iPad and tap Screen Time.
- Tap Turn On Screen Time, then tap Continue.
- Select Lock Screen Time Settings to create a secure passcode that your child does not know.
- Enter your Apple ID and password so you can reset the passcode if needed.
- Tap Downtime to schedule specific hours when app use is blocked.
- Tap App Limits to set daily time quotas for categories like social media or gaming.
Restricting Content and Purchases
- Go back to the main Screen Time menu and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions (turn the switch on and enter your passcode).
- Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases to block your child from installing or deleting apps, or making in-app purchases.
- Tap Allowed Apps & Features to hide built-in apps like Safari, FaceTime, or Camera temporarily.
- Tap App Store, Media, Web, & Games (or Content Restrictions) to set mature rating limits for movies, music, and explicit web content. Choose Limit Adult Websites for standard filtering.
Pro Tip
Before changing parental-control settings, make sure the iPad is running the latest iPadOS version supported by the device. Apple occasionally changes the location and behavior of Screen Time controls between versions, so updating first can prevent missing settings, unexpected restrictions, or controls that do not work as expected. Also restart the iPad after applying major restriction changes to ensure the settings are properly enforced.
Before You Start: Set a Screen Time Passcode First
This is the single most important step, and it is the one most parents skip. If you configure restrictions without first setting a separate Screen Time passcode, any tech savvy child can simply turn the restrictions back off. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap Turn On Screen Time, then follow the prompt to enter a four digit passcode that is different from the device’s unlock passcode. Write it down somewhere your child cannot access, because Apple will ask you to confirm it again during setup and Screen Time cannot function properly without it.
Step 1: Turn on Content and Privacy Restrictions
Inside Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions and switch it on. This single toggle unlocks the entire set of controls below it. Without it turned on, none of the age ratings, app limits, or purchase restrictions will actually apply.
Step 2: Set Age Appropriate Content Ratings
Tap Content Restrictions, then work through each category:
Apps. Choose the maximum age rating allowed in the App Store. Selecting 9+ will hide apps rated for older teens and adults from the store entirely, not just flag them.
Movies, TV Shows, Books, and Music, Podcasts, News, and Workouts. Each of these has its own age based filter. Set them individually rather than assuming one setting covers everything.
Web Content. This is one of the most important settings on the whole device. Choose Limit Adult Websites to let Apple’s built in filter block known explicit sites automatically, or choose Allowed Websites Only to restrict Safari to a manually approved list, which is the safest option for younger children.
Siri. You can also restrict Siri from returning explicit language or web search results, which many parents forget applies even when a child is not directly using Safari.
Step 3: Restrict App Store Purchases and Downloads
Under iTunes and App Store Purchases, you can require your Apple ID password for every purchase, block in-app purchases entirely, and prevent apps from being installed or deleted without your approval. This is particularly worth locking down, since accidental in-app purchases inside free games are one of the most common ways children rack up unexpected charges on a parent’s card.
Step 4: Set App Limits and Downtime
Move to the main Screen Time menu and tap App Limits. Here you can set a daily time budget for entire categories, such as Games or Social Networking, rather than restricting apps one at a time. Once the limit is reached, the app icon greys out and requires your Screen Time passcode to continue.
Downtime works differently. It schedules a window, typically overnight or during homework hours, where only apps you specifically allow remain accessible. Tap Downtime, set the schedule, then tap Always Allowed to choose which apps stay available even during that window, such as a phone or messaging app in case of emergencies.
Step 5: Manage Communication and Contacts
Under Content and Privacy Restrictions, scroll to Communication Limits. This lets you control who your child can call, message, or FaceTime, either limiting contact to people already saved in their address book or to a specific list you approve. You can also require your approval before any new contact is added.
Step 6: Set Up Family Sharing and Location Tools
Screen Time works far better when the iPad is linked to a child’s own Apple ID under Family Sharing rather than sharing your account. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then Family Sharing, and follow the prompts to create a child account. Once set up, you can manage that child’s Screen Time remotely from your own iPhone or iPad, see weekly usage reports, and adjust limits without needing physical access to their device.
While you are in Family Sharing, it is also worth enabling Find My for the child’s Apple ID, which lets you see the iPad’s location and remotely lock or erase it if it is ever lost.
Step 7: Confirm the Correct iPad Model and Software Version First
Screen Time menus have changed slightly across iPadOS versions, and some older iPad models support a more limited version of these controls. If your restrictions menu looks different from what is described here, it is worth checking which iPad model you actually have and updating to the latest supported iPadOS version before troubleshooting further.
Common Mistakes Parents Make
- Setting restrictions before creating a Screen Time passcode. As covered above, this leaves everything editable.
- Only restricting the App Store and forgetting Safari. Web content restrictions live in a completely separate menu and do not turn on automatically.
Assuming Downtime blocks everything. Any app added to Always Allowed remains fully accessible during Downtime, so it is worth reviewing that list carefully rather than leaving it at Apple’s default.
Not hiding apps that bypass restrictions. Some apps, particularly certain browsers downloaded before restrictions were set, can circumvent Safari’s content filter entirely. If you are unsure what is installed, our guide on how to hide apps on iPad also covers how to review and remove apps you do not want accessible.
Setting Up a Shared or Family iPad’s WiFi Safely
If the iPad is shared among siblings or used on a home network with other devices, it is also worth confirming the network itself is configured properly, particularly if you plan to restrict which networks the device can join. Our troubleshooting guide on iPad WiFi connection issues is useful if the device struggles to reconnect after these settings changes, which occasionally happens after a network reset.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child bypass parental controls without knowing the Screen Time passcode?
Not through normal settings menus, provided the passcode is set correctly and separate from the device passcode. The most common way children defeat parental controls is a parent skipping the passcode step or reusing a passcode the child already knows.
Do parental controls work the same way on an iPad that is not linked to a child Apple ID?
Screen Time and Content and Privacy Restrictions work on any Apple ID, but remote management, weekly usage reports, and Family Sharing features only work fully when the device is set up under a proper child account.
Will restricting the App Store also remove apps that are already installed?
No. Restrictions control what can be downloaded or purchased going forward. Existing apps remain unless you specifically delete them yourself.
How do I temporarily allow an app that is blocked by App Limits without removing the restriction entirely?
When an app hits its daily limit, a screen appears offering the option to request more time, which requires the Screen Time passcode. This lets you grant a one time extension without disabling the limit altogether.
