Where Are iPhone Restrictions? Find & Use Them

iPhone restrictions—now called Screen Time content and privacy restrictions—are found in the Settings app under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. This is where you control what apps, features, and content can be used on the device, from blocking explicit music to preventing app deletions or in-app purchases.

Why the Name Changed: From Restrictions to Screen Time

Before iOS 12, the feature was simply called “Restrictions” and lived in Settings > General > Restrictions. You set a four-digit passcode there, and it governed everything from camera use to app rating limits. When Apple introduced Screen Time in 2018, it folded these controls into the new framework. The old “Restrictions” menu disappeared, and the same functions moved to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

If you’re following an older tutorial that says “General > Restrictions,” you’re looking at a pre-iOS 12 guide. On any modern iPhone (iOS 12 or later), you’ll find it under Screen Time. The passcode you set is now called the “Screen Time passcode,” but it works exactly like the old Restrictions passcode.

How to Turn On and Set Up Restrictions

Here’s the step-by-step process on a current iPhone:

Open Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
If it’s off, toggle the switch at the top to on.
You’ll be asked to create a Screen Time passcode (enter it twice). This passcode prevents others from changing your restrictions.
Now you’ll see a list of categories: iTunes & App Store Purchases, Allowed Apps, and Content Restrictions.

If you’re setting this up on a child’s device, you can also use Family Sharing to set it up remotely from your own iPhone, but the on-device location is the same.

What You Can Actually Restrict

The controls are grouped into three main sections. Here’s a breakdown of the most useful options:

iTunes & App Store Purchases: Block installing, deleting, or making in-app purchases. You can set “Installing Apps” to “Don’t Allow” to prevent new apps entirely.
Allowed Apps: Toggle individual apps on or off—Camera, FaceTime, Safari, Siri, AirDrop, CarPlay, and more. Turning off an app hides its icon from the home screen.
Content Restrictions: Filter music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps by age rating (e.g., “PG-13” or “12+”). Also blocks explicit language, adult websites (via a built-in web filter), and multiplayer gaming.

There’s also a “Privacy” section within Content & Privacy Restrictions where you can lock down system services like Location Services, Contacts, Photos, and Microphone access. For example, you can prevent any app from accessing the microphone without your permission.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The most frequent issue is forgetting your Screen Time passcode. If you set it yourself and can’t remember it, you can reset it using your Apple ID password. On the “Screen Time” settings page, tap “Forgot Passcode?” and enter your Apple ID credentials. If you’re the family organizer, you can also reset it from your own device via Family Sharing.

Another common problem: you turn off restrictions, but the app icons don’t come back immediately. This is usually because the device needs a moment to refresh. Try restarting the iPhone. If you’re seeing “This app is not allowed” for a built-in app, check the “Allowed Apps” list and make sure the toggle is green.

One misconception is that restrictions are a security feature. They’re not—they’re a parental control and self-discipline tool. Anyone who knows the passcode can turn them off. If you’re trying to lock down a device against a determined adult, this won’t stop them.

How to Turn Off Restrictions

To disable restrictions entirely:

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Enter your Screen Time passcode.
Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to off.

This removes all the restrictions you had set, but keeps your Screen Time usage data and the passcode (you can turn off the passcode separately under “Change Screen Time Passcode”). If you want to completely wipe the passcode, you’d need to turn off Screen Time entirely, which also deletes your usage history.

Restrictions vs. Guided Access: What’s the Difference?

People often confuse restrictions with Guided Access, another iOS feature. Guided Access is found in Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access. It locks the iPhone to a single app and disables touch input on certain screen areas. It’s designed for when you hand your phone to a child to play a game and don’t want them to exit the app or tap other things. Restrictions, on the other hand, are global settings that apply to the entire device at all times. You can use both: set restrictions for permanent limits, and use Guided Access for temporary “kiosk mode” situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Restrictions option on iPhone 14 or 15?

On all iPhones running iOS 12 or later, including the iPhone 14 and 15 series, the Restrictions feature is under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. There is no separate “Restrictions” menu in General anymore.

Can I set restrictions without a passcode?

No. When you first turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions, iOS requires you to create a Screen Time passcode. This is what prevents you or a child from simply turning the restrictions off. You can’t skip this step.

Why can’t I find Screen Time on my iPhone?

Screen Time is available on all iPhones running iOS 12 or later. If you don’t see it, your device is likely running an older iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to update. On older iOS versions, the feature is still called “Restrictions” under General.

Do restrictions block websites?

Yes, but only partially. In Content Restrictions > Web Content, you can choose “Unrestricted Access,” “Limit Adult Websites,” or “Allowed Websites Only.” The “Limit Adult Websites” option uses Apple’s built-in filter, which is not perfect. For stricter control, you’d need a third-party parental control app.

Will restrictions stop in-app purchases?

Yes. Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, set “In-app Purchases” to “Don’t Allow.” This blocks all in-app purchases, including those in free apps. Note that it doesn’t affect purchases made on a Mac or other device with the same Apple ID.

What if I forgot my Screen Time passcode?

Tap “Forgot Passcode?” on the Screen Time settings page. You can then enter your Apple ID password to reset it. If you’re the family organizer, you can also reset it from your own device under Family Sharing. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you’ll need to erase the device and restore from a backup made before the passcode was set.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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