Set Content and Privacy Restrictions in iOS 12

Apple's iOS 12 introduced Screen Time, a dedicated suite of tools designed to monitor device usage and manage digital boundaries. Within this feature lies Content & Privacy Restrictions—the updated home for what was previously known simply as "Restrictions." This guide outlines how to enable Screen Time, set a protective passcode, and configure specific limitations to block explicit content, prevent unauthorized iTunes and App Store purchases, and lock down user privacy settings on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.

Step 1: Enable Screen Time and Set a Passcode

To ensure restrictions cannot be modified or disabled by anyone else, you must secure the settings with a dedicated Screen Time passcode.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iOS 12 device.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Tap Turn On Screen Time, then select Continue.
  4. Choose whether this is My iPhone or My Child's iPhone.
  5. Scroll down and tap Use Screen Time Passcode.
  6. Enter a four-digit passcode, then re-enter it to confirm. (Note: This passcode should be different from the one used to unlock the device.)

Step 2: Turn On Content & Privacy Restrictions

  1. In the Screen Time menu, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  2. Enter your four-digit Screen Time passcode when prompted.
  3. Toggle the switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to the On (green) position.

Step 3: Configure Specific Restrictions

Once the main toggle is enabled, you can customize restrictions across several categories:

iTunes & App Store Purchases

Prevent unauthorized downloads or accidental spending by managing store permissions.

  • Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
  • Set Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, and In-app Purchases to either Allow or Don't Allow.
  • Under the "Require Passcode" section, select Always Require to demand the passcode for additional purchases after entering it once.

Allowed Apps

Disable access to built-in Apple applications entirely without deleting them.

  • Tap Allowed Apps.
  • Toggle off any apps you wish to hide from the home screen, such as Safari, FaceTime, or Camera.

Content Restrictions

Filter web content, apps, and media based on age ratings.

  • Tap Content Restrictions.
  • Adjust media categories such as Ratings For, Music, Podcasts & News, Movies, and Apps to reflect the appropriate age limits.
  • Tap Web Content to choose between Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites Only to restrict browsing exclusively to a curated whitelist.

Privacy

Lock down device permissions to prevent apps from accessing sensitive personal data.

  • Scroll to the Privacy section within Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  • Review categories such as Location Services, Contacts, Calendars, and Photos.
  • Select a category and choose Don't Allow Changes to lock existing permission settings in place.

Allow Changes

Prevent users from altering system configurations.

  • Scroll to the Allow Changes section at the bottom of the screen.
  • Set features like Passcode Changes, Account Changes, and Do Not Disturb While Driving to Don't Allow to stop users from modifying Apple ID credentials or device security codes.