Where to find and disable Screen Time on each device

Screen Time is the built-in monitoring tool on iPhones, iPads, and Macs that tracks how long you use apps and lets you set time limits. To turn it off, you go into Settings, not into the apps themselves — the control lives at the system level, which is why it affects everything you do on the device.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Turn Off Screen Time at the bottom. You'll need to enter the Screen Time passcode if one was set. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click Screen Time in the sidebar, then click Options and select Turn Off.

On Android devices, the equivalent is called Digital Wellbeing. Open Settings, search for Digital Wellbeing, tap it, then tap your profile icon and select Settings. From there you can turn off individual tracking features or disable the whole tool. The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and others place it in slightly different spots in Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Time on Apple devices and Digital Wellbeing on Android are system-level tools that track app usage and enforce time limits across your entire device.
  • Disabling Screen Time requires going into device Settings, not into individual apps, because the control sits above the app level.
  • If a Screen Time passcode was set by someone else, you will need that passcode to turn it off — you cannot bypass it without it.
  • Turning off Screen Time stops all tracking and removes all time limits, but the data from previous weeks remains visible in the history until you manually clear it.
  • If you want to keep tracking but remove limits, you can turn off Downtime and App Limits individually without disabling the whole tool.

When you need the passcode to disable Screen Time

If Screen Time was set up by a parent, guardian, or another person with a different Apple ID, a passcode was likely created to prevent you from turning it off. That passcode is not the same as your device passcode or your Apple ID password — it's a separate four-digit code created specifically for Screen Time.

Without that passcode, you cannot disable Screen Time through the normal Settings path. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it by going to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then selecting I Forgot My Passcode. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your Apple ID, then let you create a new one. If someone else set it up on their Apple ID, you'll need their Apple ID credentials to reset it.

If the device is managed by a school or workplace, Screen Time may be locked by Mobile Device Management (MDM) software, which is a different system entirely. In that case, you cannot disable it yourself — you would need to contact your school's IT department or your employer's support team.

Turning off individual limits without disabling the whole tool

You don't have to disable Screen Time completely to stop it from blocking your apps. You can turn off Downtime (the scheduled period when most apps close) and App Limits (the per-app time caps) separately, which leaves the tracking running but removes the restrictions.

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime and toggle it off, then go to App Limits and delete each limit individually. On Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time > Options, then uncheck Downtime and remove App Limits one by one. On Android, open Digital Wellbeing, tap Bedtime mode or App timers, and turn them off.

This approach is useful if you want to see your usage data but don't want the device to force you to stop using certain apps. The history remains visible, so you can still review how much time you spent on each app each day.

What happens to your usage data after you disable Screen Time

When you turn off Screen Time, the app stops collecting new data immediately, but all the historical data from previous weeks stays on your device. You can still see your usage breakdown by day and by app in the Screen Time section of Settings — it just won't update anymore.

If you want to erase the historical data, you have to clear it manually. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time, scroll down, and tap Reset Data. On Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time > Options and click Reset. This action cannot be undone, so make sure you want to delete it before you proceed.

If you re-enable Screen Time later, it starts tracking from zero again. The old data does not come back.

Disabling Screen Time on a family-managed device

If the device is part of a Family Sharing group and Screen Time was set up by the family organizer, you have fewer options. The organizer can see all family members' Screen Time data and can set limits on devices they don't own. To disable Screen Time on a family member's device, the organizer has to go to Settings > Family Sharing, select the person, tap Screen Time, and turn it off from there.

If you are the family organizer and you want to disable Screen Time on your own device, follow the standard steps in Settings > Screen Time > Turn Off Screen Time. If you want to disable it on a child's device, you'll need to do it from your own device through Family Sharing, or ask the child to do it if they know the Screen Time passcode.

Removing a device from Family Sharing entirely is a separate step that requires going to Settings > Family Sharing and removing the device, but that also removes other shared features like shared photos and calendars.

Why Screen Time might not turn off

If you try to disable Screen Time and it won't turn off, the most common reason is that a passcode is set and you entered it incorrectly. Try again, and remember that the Screen Time passcode is four digits, not your device unlock code.

If you're certain the passcode is correct and it still won't turn off, restart your device and try again. Sometimes a software glitch prevents the setting from taking effect until you restart. On iPhone or iPad, hold the power button and slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. On Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart.

If the device is managed by MDM software (common on work or school devices), Screen Time cannot be disabled by the user. Contact your IT department or device administrator to request that the restriction be removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable Screen Time if I don't know the passcode?

Yes, if it's your own device and your own Apple ID. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, select I Forgot My Passcode, and verify your identity with your Apple ID. If someone else set it up on their Apple ID, you'll need their credentials to reset it.

Does turning off Screen Time delete my usage history?

No. Disabling Screen Time stops new tracking but keeps all past data visible in Settings. To erase the history, go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Reset Data. This action is permanent and cannot be undone.

What's the difference between turning off Screen Time and turning off App Limits?

Turning off Screen Time disables the entire tracking system and all restrictions. Turning off App Limits keeps tracking running but removes the time caps on individual apps. Choose the second option if you want to see your usage data but don't want the device to block apps.

Can a parent turn off Screen Time on a child's device remotely?

Yes, if they're the family organizer in Family Sharing. They can go to their own device, open Settings > Family Sharing, select the child, tap Screen Time, and disable it from there. The child cannot re-enable it without the parent's Apple ID.

Why won't my Screen Time turn off even though I entered the passcode?

Restart your device first — sometimes a software glitch prevents the setting from taking effect. If it still won't turn off after a restart, the device may be managed by Mobile Device Management software, which requires IT support to remove.