Where to find and change iPad restrictions

iPad restrictions live in Settings under Screen Time, not under a section called "Restrictions" as they did on older iPad models. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You'll need to enter a four-digit passcode — this is separate from your device passcode and controls who can change these settings.

If you've never set up Screen Time before, the Content & Privacy Restrictions option may not appear until you turn on Screen Time first. Tap Screen Time at the top of that settings menu, then toggle it on. You can then go back and set up the restrictions themselves.

Once you're in Content & Privacy Restrictions, you'll see toggles for different categories: apps, websites, purchases, and content ratings. Each toggle controls a different type of restriction. Turning a toggle off removes that restriction entirely; turning it on lets you set specific limits for that category.

Key Takeaways

  • Restrictions on modern iPads are found in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, not in a dedicated Restrictions menu.
  • You must create a separate Screen Time passcode to protect your restriction settings from being changed without permission.
  • Each restriction category (apps, websites, purchases, content) has its own toggle that you turn on or off depending on what you want to limit.
  • Removing a restriction means turning off its toggle; you do not need to delete anything or restart the iPad.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you must reset it through Settings or use your Apple ID to recover access.

Setting up a Screen Time passcode

Before you change any restrictions, you need a Screen Time passcode. This is a four-digit code that prevents someone from turning off your restrictions without permission. When you first turn on Screen Time, iPad prompts you to create one.

If you skipped that step, go to Settings > Screen Time > tap the passcode option (usually labeled "Use Screen Time Passcode" or similar). You'll enter a four-digit code twice to confirm it. Write this down somewhere safe — if you forget it, resetting it requires your Apple ID password or a device reset.

You can also link your Screen Time passcode to your Apple ID so you can reset it later if needed. During setup, look for an option to "Use Apple ID to reset Screen Time passcode" and toggle it on. This adds a recovery method but does not change how the passcode works day-to-day.

Restricting apps and app categories

To prevent certain apps from being used, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. You'll see a list of every app on the iPad with a toggle next to each one. Turn off the toggle for any app you want to restrict. That app will disappear from the home screen and cannot be opened without re-enabling it.

You can also restrict entire app categories rather than individual apps. In the same menu, look for options like "Games," "Social Networking," or "Productivity." Toggling off a category restricts all apps in that category at once. This is faster than disabling apps one by one if you want to block a whole type of content.

Restricted apps are not deleted — they're hidden. When you turn the toggle back on, the app reappears exactly as it was. Your data inside that app remains unchanged.

Blocking websites and setting content ratings

To restrict web browsing, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content. You have three options: Unrestricted Access (no blocking), Limit Adult Websites (blocks known adult sites but allows most others), or Allowed Websites Only (blocks everything except a whitelist you create).

If you choose Allowed Websites Only, you'll see a field to add specific websites. Type the full web address (for example, www.wikipedia.org) and tap Add. Only those sites will load in Safari; everything else returns an error. This is the most restrictive option and useful if you want to limit browsing to educational sites only.

You can also restrict content by rating. In Content Restrictions, tap Movies, TV Shows, Books, or Apps to set age-appropriate limits. For example, you can restrict movies to PG only, which blocks R-rated and unrated films. These ratings come from the content provider (Apple, studios, publishers) and are not always complete, so they work best as one layer of control rather than the only one.

Controlling purchases and in-app spending

To prevent purchases without permission, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. You'll see toggles for Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, and In-App Purchases. Turn off any toggle to block that action.

If you turn off In-App Purchases, apps cannot charge money for anything — no subscriptions, no one-time purchases, no premium features. The app still works, but any paid feature becomes unavailable. This is useful for preventing accidental charges or spending by children.

You can also require a password for purchases. In the same menu, look for "Require Password" or a similar option and make sure it's turned on. This means anyone trying to buy something must enter your Apple ID password, adding a second barrier even if in-app purchases are allowed.

Changing restrictions you've already set

To modify a restriction you created earlier, go back to the same menu where you set it. For app restrictions, toggle the app back on to unrestrict it. For website restrictions, switch from Allowed Websites Only back to Limit Adult Websites or Unrestricted Access. For content ratings, adjust the age limit up or down.

Every change requires your Screen Time passcode. If you try to change a restriction and nothing happens, you likely entered the wrong passcode. Try again carefully — the passcode is case-sensitive and must be exactly four digits.

If you want to remove all restrictions at once, go to Settings > Screen Time and toggle off Screen Time itself. This disables every restriction you set. You'll lose the ability to track screen time as well, so this is a full reset rather than a selective change.

Recovering a forgotten Screen Time passcode

If you forget your Screen Time passcode, you have two recovery options. The first is to use your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > tap the passcode option, then look for "Forgot Passcode?" or a similar link. Tap it and enter your Apple ID password. iPad will let you create a new Screen Time passcode.

If you don't remember your Apple ID password either, you'll need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process at iforgot.apple.com. This can take time, so plan ahead if you think you might forget your passcode.

The only other way to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode is to erase the iPad completely and set it up again. This deletes all data unless you have a backup, so it should be your last option. If you're locked out and cannot use your Apple ID, contact Apple Support for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restrict only certain apps while leaving others open?

Yes. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and toggle off only the apps you want to block. All other apps remain available. You can restrict as few or as many apps as you want this way.

What happens to data in an app I restrict?

The data stays on the iPad. When you unrestrict the app later, all your photos, messages, documents, and other content inside that app are still there. Restricting an app hides it but does not delete anything.

Can someone else change my restrictions if they know my Screen Time passcode?

Yes. Your Screen Time passcode is the only protection for your restrictions. If someone else knows it, they can turn off any restriction you set. Keep your passcode private and change it regularly if you suspect someone knows it.

Do restrictions apply to all users on a shared iPad?

Restrictions apply to the entire iPad, not to individual user accounts. If your iPad has multiple users set up, restrictions affect everyone. To have different restrictions for different people, you would need separate iPads or separate user accounts with different Screen Time settings.

Will restricting an app stop it from updating?

No. Restricted apps can still receive updates from the App Store. The restriction only prevents the app from being opened or used; it does not affect updates or background activity. If you want to prevent updates as well, you would need to restrict the App Store itself.