How to Turn on Restrictions on an iPhone

This article explains how to set up and use restrictions on an iPhone via Screen Time. Instructions work for all currently supported versions of iOS.

How to Enable iPhone Restrictions 

Screen Time is built into the Settings app. Here's where to find it so you can configure parental controls and other restrictions on the iPhone:

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time.

2. Choose Content & Privacy Restrictions.

3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions so the toggle switch shows green/on. From that screen, configure specific preferences as you need.

   Optionally, from the Screen Time page, tap Lock Screen Time Settings (called Use Screen Time Passcode on some iPhones) to set a four-digit PIN. This is not the same as your device passcode. When the Screen Time passcode is enabled, use this four-digit PIN to override restrictions or change settings.

Turn iPhone Content Restrictions On and Off

The Content & Privacy Restrictions screen offers three content groups you can edit:

• iTunes & App Store Purchases: This controls whether the user is allowed to install apps, delete, apps, and/or make in-app purchases. You can also define whether a password is required for every purchase or just the first one.
• Allowed Apps & Features: Pick which apps should be prevented from launching. They're not deleted, just hidden from the Home Screen.
• Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content: This puts ratings into effect. For example, disallow any movies over PG, allow apps meant for 12+ only, limit adult sites, permit Siri to search the web, and turn off private messaging for games.

Control Privacy Restrictions on an iPhone

This part of the restriction settings lets you control privacy-related features. You can, for instance, allow access to a limited set of photos in the Google Photos app or contacts in the Contacts app. This is also one way to prevent apps like TikTok from accessing the microphone. Similar options are available for location services, Bluetooth sharing, speech recognition, calendars, and more.

Another big part of privacy restrictions is an option called Don't Allow Changes. When turned on for any of those categories, such as location services, the user won't be able to let newly downloaded apps access the phone's location.

The final section, called Allow Changes To, sets limits on what the device can do to change its own settings. For example, setting Don't Allow for cellular data means the user can't edit any settings related to cellular data. Other categories you can set here include passcode and Face ID, TV provider, background app activity, accounts, and a few others.