If you upgrade to iOS 26.4 and use the iOS version of Opal, Opal can now fully lock down your child's device. To implement this, enable both a Screen Time Passcode and Pin Code Protection. Once implemented, your child will be unable to disable Opal; edit their Sessions, Time Limits, or Open Limits; or remove the app.
Important Note: on earlier iOS versions, the Screen Time Passcode feature exists, but Face ID or your device passcode can be inputted to bypass it. Please update to iOS 26.4 so that this feature can not be bypassed.
To implement parental controls on the iOS version of Opal, you have two options:
If your child has their own Apple Account in your Family Sharing group, you can manage their Screen Time remotely from your iPhone. This is the recommended approach — you never need to touch your child's device to make changes. To do so, follow these steps:
With Family Sharing, you may authenticate changes using your Face ID, Touch ID, or via your device passcode — you do not need to remember the Screen Time passcode itself. Your child cannot reset these changes or edit them.
If you're not using Family Sharing (e.g., your child uses your Apple Account, or they're a teenager with their own account not in your Family Group), you may implement Parental Controls differently. To do so, follow these steps:
In this scenario, you must remember the passcode — there is no remote management. The only recovery path is the Apple Account used at setup time. Once you've set-up a Screen Time Passcode, you are then welcome to install Opal and enable features to ensure your child can not disable your Screen Time Limits.
To set up Opal on your child's iOS device, please follow these steps:
Once both App Uninstall Protection and Pin Code Protection are enabled on your child's iOS device, your child will be unable to uninstall Opal or other apps; exit an Opal Session, Time Limit, or Open Limit; or change your phone's time/date Settings to exit a Session.
If you have Family Sharing enabled, the answer is no. Only the family organiser can change or reset the Screen Time Passcode. You may do this from your device using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode — you don't need to know the old passcode.
Unfortunately, without Family Sharing enabled, the passcode can be reset using the Apple Account associated with the device (via "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Change Screen Time Passcode" > "Forgot Passcode"). If your child knows the Apple Account password, they could reset it. For this reason, Family Sharing is strongly recommended.
On iOS 26, Apple has introduced several additional protections for child accounts beyond the Screen Time Passcode. They include:
