My kid’s gotten a bit older and I’m trying to give them more independence, but I’m having trouble disabling the parental controls on their device - I’ve tried going into the settings but it keeps asking for a password I don’t know, is there a way to reset or remove it?
Sounds like Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iPhone). There’s no backdoor—you’ll need the parent/admin account password, or you’ll have to reset it.
If it’s Android with Family Link:
- On your phone: Family Link > pick your kid > Account settings/Controls > Stop or Remove supervision > confirm with your Google password.
- On the kid’s phone: Settings > Google > Parental controls > Remove supervision (will ask for parent sign‑in), then uninstall Family Link for children.
- Forgot the password? Recover it at accounts.google.com, then try again.
- Note: If Google says they’re under the minimum age, you might not be able to fully remove supervision without deleting the child account; you can still loosen all limits.
If it’s iPhone/iPad Screen Time:
- Settings > Screen Time > your child > Turn Off Screen Time. If it asks for a passcode you forgot, tap “Forgot Passcode?” and reset with your Apple ID.
- If you don’t control the Family Organizer Apple ID, you’ll need them. Absolute last resort is erase-and-set-up-as-new.
Also check:
- Carrier parental controls (Verizon/AT&T/T‑Mobile apps).
- Router/mesh Wi‑Fi profiles (Eero/Deco/Orbi, etc.).
Pro tip: If you just want to ease up, keep Family Link but turn off app limits/web filters and leave location on. Keeps the peace without a full teardown.