How to Turn Off Screen Time on iPhone: Remove Parental Monitoring and Restrictions

Screen Time gives parents powerful tools to monitor and limit device usage, but it can feel restrictive when you’re gaining digital independence. This guide walks you through disabling Screen Time completely, clearing all monitoring data, and regaining full access to your device.

What is Screen Time?

Screen Time is Apple’s built-in monitoring and restriction tool available on all current iOS versions (introduced in iOS 12, September 2016). It tracks how much time you spend in apps and on websites, lets parents set app limits and downtime schedules, and restricts access to certain content. When someone sets up Screen Time with a passcode—exactly 4 digits, not variable lengths—they create a protective barrier that requires that passcode to change settings or disable monitoring.

Screen Time data includes weekly activity summaries, app usage charts, website visit history, and imposed restrictions. All of this information is stored locally on your device, not on Apple’s servers.

Current as of: iOS 18.3 (January 2025)

Why You Might Want Digital Independence

• Remove Parental Oversight: Disable the monitoring that tracks every app you open and website you visit
• Eliminate App Restrictions: Access all apps and websites without hitting time limits or blocked content warnings
• Regain Full Device Control: Make your own decisions about how to use your device without restrictions enforcing your choices
• Clear Usage History: Erase all accumulated tracking data that shows your digital habits

Important Considerations Before You Proceed

• Data Deletion is Permanent: Once you disable Screen Time, all tracked usage data is cleared immediately and cannot be recovered (unless you have a device backup created before disabling it). Apple doesn’t maintain Screen Time data on its servers.
• Family Organizer Can Re-Enable Monitoring: If your parents or guardians are your Family Organizer in Family Sharing, they retain the ability to re-enable Screen Time remotely on your device at any time through their own Family Sharing settings—even after you’ve disabled it locally. This feature works consistently across iOS 18 and earlier versions.
• Passcode Recovery Requires Apple ID: If you’ve forgotten the Screen Time passcode, you’ll need access to the Apple ID that was used to set up Screen Time (which may be different from your currently signed-in Apple ID). Without it, you may need to contact Apple Support with proof of device ownership.

How to Turn Off Screen Time: Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you begin: Have the Screen Time passcode ready, or know the Apple ID used to set it up.

Step 1: Open Screen Time Settings

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone

2. Tap Screen Time

Step 2: Access the Turn Off Screen Time Option

1. At the top of the Screen Time screen, tap your own name or “This iPhone”

2. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Turn Off Screen Time”

Step 3: Enter Your Passcode

1. When prompted, enter your 4-digit Screen Time passcode

2. Tap “Turn Off Screen Time” to confirm

Step 4: Confirm the Action

1. You’ll see a confirmation message stating that Screen Time will be turned off

2. Tap “Turn Off” or “Confirm” (wording varies by iOS version)

3. Screen Time is now disabled on your device

If You’ve Forgotten the Passcode:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time

2. Tap your name/“This iPhone”

3. Tap “Change Screen Time Passcode”

4. Tap “Forgot Passcode?”

5. Enter the Apple ID email and password used to set up Screen Time

6. Follow the prompts to create a new passcode

7. Once created, use this new passcode to turn off Screen Time (or change it again immediately)

   Note: If the original Apple ID is inaccessible, contact Apple Support with proof of device ownership for additional recovery options.

What Happens Immediately After:

• All app limits, downtime schedules, and website restrictions are removed instantly
• You have unrestricted access to all apps and websites
• All previously tracked usage data (activity summaries, charts, app times) is cleared and cannot be recovered
• The Screen Time icon disappears from Settings
• You won’t receive any more app limit notifications
• Family Sharing monitoring for this device is disabled (though your Family Organizer can re-enable it remotely)

To Also Clear Family Sharing Oversight (Optional)

If you want to remove yourself entirely from Family Sharing monitoring:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing

2. Tap your own name

3. Tap “Stop Using Family Sharing” (if available on your account type)

4. Or ask the Family Organizer to remove you from the family group

   Important: Leaving Family Sharing has broader effects—it may also remove access to shared subscriptions, family photos, and shared locations. Consider this carefully before proceeding.

What to Know After Disabling Screen Time

Immediate Changes:

• Screen Time is completely gone from your Settings
• No more notifications about app limits or downtime
• All usage tracking has stopped and previous data is erased

What Your Family Organizer Can Still Do: If your parents or guardians set up Family Sharing with you, they retain control over Screen Time at the Family Sharing level. They can re-enable monitoring on your device remotely without your permission through Family Sharing settings. This is an important distinction—disabling Screen Time on your device doesn’t prevent them from turning it back on.

If You Change Your Mind: You can turn Screen Time back on anytime by going to Settings > Screen Time and following the prompts. You’ll create a new passcode, and there’s no penalty for re-enabling it.

Data Recovery: Unlike Photos or Messages (which Apple keeps for 30 days), Screen Time data doesn’t have a recovery window. If you want to preserve your usage history before disabling, create a full device backup using iCloud or a computer.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“I can’t see the Turn Off Screen Time option”

• Ensure you’ve tapped your own name at the top of Screen Time settings (not “Apps & Websites” or other tabs)
• Check that you’re running iOS 12 or later (all current iOS versions include this feature)
• Restart your iPhone and try again

“It says I need a passcode, but I don’t remember it”

• Use the “Forgot Passcode?” option and enter the Apple ID that was used to set up Screen Time
• If that Apple ID no longer exists or is inaccessible, contact Apple Support with proof of device ownership

“I turned it off, but Screen Time is back on the next day”

• Your Family Organizer may have re-enabled it remotely through Family Sharing
• Check with them, or ask them to remove you from the family group entirely

“The Screen Time option is greyed out”

• You may not have permission to modify Screen Time (a parent or guardian has restricted it)
• Ask whoever set it up to provide the passcode or disable it themselves
• Or use the Apple ID recovery method above

“Will this affect my other Family Sharing benefits?”

• Disabling Screen Time alone does not affect shared subscriptions, family photos, or location sharing
• These remain active unless you specifically leave the Family Sharing group

“Can I disable Screen Time without knowing the passcode?”

• Not directly, but you can use Apple ID recovery (see “If You’ve Forgotten the Passcode” section above)
• Factory reset is a last resort (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings), but this erases everything, not just Screen Time

Disabling Screen Time gives you full control over your device and removes all monitoring restrictions immediately. Remember that if you’re part of Family Sharing, your parents or guardians can still re-enable monitoring remotely—but they can’t do so without your Apple ID or by surprise. If you need help or run into permissions issues, Apple Support is available to verify your device ownership and assist with passcode recovery.