How parental blocks work and why you might need to remove them
Parental controls are password-protected restrictions set by a parent or guardian on a device. They limit what apps you can open, what websites you can visit, how long you can use the device, and sometimes what content you can see. To remove them, you need the administrator password — the one the person who set them up created.
If you set up the controls yourself and forgot the password, or if a parent or guardian has agreed to let you remove them, the steps depend on what device you're using and which parental control system is running. Each operating system — Windows, macOS, iOS, Android — has its own removal process, and third-party parental control apps have different procedures too.
If you're trying to remove controls that someone else set without their permission, that's not something this guide covers. If a parent or guardian has agreed to remove them, the sections below show you how.
Key Takeaways
- You need the administrator password to remove parental controls — the one the person who set them up created, not your own login password.
- Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android each have different built-in parental control systems with different removal steps.
- Third-party apps like Google Family Link, Apple Screen Time, and Bark have their own removal processes separate from the device's operating system.
- If you forgot the password, you can reset it through the account recovery process, but this usually requires access to the email or phone number linked to the account.
- Some parental controls can only be removed by signing into the parent's account on the device itself.
Removing parental controls on Windows
Windows parental controls are called Family Safety and are managed through your Microsoft account. To remove them, you need access to the parent's Microsoft account or the administrator password they set up.
If you know the administrator password, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Select your account, then click "Remove" under the parental controls section. Windows will ask for the administrator password. Enter it, and the controls will turn off.
If you don't know the password but have access to the parent's email address, you can reset it. On the Windows login screen, click "I forgot my password" and follow the recovery steps using the parent's email or phone number. Once you're back in the parent's account, you can remove the controls from your account through Family Safety settings.
Removing parental controls on macOS
On a Mac, parental controls are managed through System Settings under Parental Controls (on older versions) or through Family Sharing (on newer versions). The process depends on which macOS version is running.
For newer Macs with Family Sharing: Open System Settings > Family Sharing. Click your name, then select your account from the list. Look for Screen Time settings and click "Edit". You'll need the parent's Apple ID password to make changes. If you have it, you can adjust or remove restrictions from there.
For older Macs: Open System Preferences > Parental Controls. Select your account and click the lock icon to unlock it. You'll need the administrator password. Once unlocked, you can remove restrictions or disable parental controls entirely.
Removing parental controls on iPhone or iPad
Apple's parental controls are part of Screen Time, which is tied to your Apple ID and iCloud account. To remove them, you need either the Screen Time passcode or the parent's Apple ID password.
If you know the Screen Time passcode: Open Settings > Screen Time. Tap "Turn Off Screen Time" at the bottom. Enter the passcode when prompted, and Screen Time will turn off completely.
If you don't know the passcode but have access to the parent's Apple ID: Open Settings > Screen Time. Tap "Change Screen Time Passcode" at the bottom. Select "Forgot Passcode?" and sign in with the parent's Apple ID. You can then set a new passcode or turn off Screen Time entirely.
If you don't have either the passcode or the parent's Apple ID password, you'll need to ask the parent to remove it themselves through their own device or through iCloud.com.
Removing parental controls on Android
Android parental controls are usually managed through Google Family Link, which is a separate app that the parent installed. Removing it requires either the parent's Google account or the supervisor PIN they created.
If you know the supervisor PIN: Open the Family Link app on your device. Tap your account, then look for "Controls on Google Play" or "App controls". Scroll to the bottom and select "Remove this device from Family Link". Enter the supervisor PIN, and the device will be removed from Family Link.
If you don't know the PIN but have access to the parent's Google account: Sign into that account on any device, go to families.google.com, and select your device. Click "Remove" next to your device name. This will remove Family Link controls from your Android phone.
Some Android devices also have built-in parental controls separate from Family Link. These are usually found in Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. You may need the device PIN or the parent's account password to adjust them.
Removing third-party parental control apps
Apps like Bark, Qustodio, Net Nanny, and others install their own parental control systems on top of the device's built-in controls. Removing them usually means uninstalling the app itself, but some require a password or account access first.
Check the app's settings or dashboard for an option to disable monitoring or remove the device. Some apps require you to sign into the parent's account within the app to make changes. If you can't find that option, you may need to uninstall the app directly — but some parental control apps prevent uninstallation until you enter a password or remove the device from the parent's account on the app's website.
If the app won't uninstall, visit the app company's website and look for account settings or device management. Sign in with the parent's account if you have access, find your device, and select "Remove" or "Unenroll". This usually allows you to uninstall the app afterward.
What to do if you forgot the administrator password
If you set up the parental controls yourself and forgot the password, your options depend on the device and system. Most devices let you reset the password through account recovery — usually by answering security questions or confirming your identity through email or phone.
On Windows, click "I forgot my password" on the login screen and follow the recovery steps. On Mac, restart the device and use Recovery Mode to reset the administrator password. On iPhone or iPad, use the "Forgot Passcode?" option in Screen Time settings. On Android, use the "Forgot PIN?" option in Family Link.
If you can't remember the recovery email or phone number, or if you no longer have access to them, you may need to contact the device manufacturer's support team with proof of ownership. This process can take several days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove parental controls without the parent knowing?
Not without the administrator password or account access. Parental controls are designed to prevent exactly this. If a parent or guardian has agreed to remove them, they can do it themselves, or they can give you the password so you can do it. If they haven't agreed, removing them without permission isn't covered here.
What if the parent's email account is no longer active?
If the parent's email is gone but you still have access to the device, you may be able to reset the password through a backup email or phone number linked to the account. If neither of those exists, contact the device manufacturer's support team with proof that you own the device. The process varies by company and can take time.
Will removing parental controls delete anything on my device?
No. Removing parental controls only turns off the restrictions — it doesn't delete apps, files, photos, or any other data. Everything on your device stays exactly as it is.
Can I remove parental controls from one app but keep them on others?
It depends on the system. Built-in parental controls like Screen Time or Family Link are all-or-nothing — you either turn them on or off for the whole device. Third-party apps sometimes let you disable monitoring for specific apps while keeping it on for others, but this varies by app.
What if I'm locked out of the parent's account too?
If you can't access the parent's account and don't know the administrator password, you'll need to contact the device manufacturer's support team. Bring proof of ownership or identity. They can help you regain access, but the process can take a week or more.