The parental control function or the so-called “Children's mode” often becomes a serious obstacle for the owner of a smartphone. Users are faced with a situation where the device is locked, icons disappear, and access to settings is completely blocked. This can happen either due to accidental activation by the child himself or as a result of purchasing a used device with pre-installed restrictions.
The deactivation process greatly depends on the manufacturer of your gadget and the version of the operating system. In some cases, it is enough to enter the correct PIN code, while in others you will need to completely reset the data or use special utilities. It is important to understand that simply removing an icon from the main screen does not always mean completely disabling the service.
In this article we will look at all possible methods of dealing with imposed restrictions. You will learn what to do if you have forgotten your password and what system processes are responsible for blocking the interface. Complex cases that require connecting to a computer will also be discussed.
Standard shutdown through system settings
The easiest and safest way to get rid of restrictions is to use standard system tools. If you have access to the settings menu and remember the password you set, the procedure will only take a couple of minutes. Typically, this method is relevant for phones Samsung, Xiaomi i Huawei.
First, you need to get into the main section of the device configuration. Look for an item that might be called Digital Wellbeing, Parental Controls, or Kids Mode. In the menu Android often you need to click on the gear icon or three dots in the corner of the screen to access additional options.
After entering the menu, the system will ask for identity confirmation. This could be a pattern, fingerprint or digital code. If you enter the correct information, a “Turn Off” button or deactivation slider will appear. Click on it to unlock the Launcher.
If you don't remember the password, try entering the phone screen unlock code - on many models they are synchronized by default.
Sometimes after turning off the mode, application icons do not return to their place immediately. In this case, it is recommended to restart the device. Hold down the power button and select Reboot. After turning on the system, the desktop should be restored to its previous form.
What to do if you forgot your parental control password
The situation with a lost password is one of the most common. The developers specifically make the recovery procedure complicated so that children cannot bypass the protection on their own. However, there are proven ways to solve this problem without losing personal data.
The first method involves using an account Google. When setting up for the first time (parents) link their mailbox to the control function. On the password entry screen there is often a “Forgot your password?” link. or “Reset via Google.” By clicking on it, you will receive a confirmation code by email.
If the email linking was not completed, you can try to use the “Guest Mode” function. On some firmware, this allows you to gain temporary access to settings. Go to Settings → Applications and find the parental control service in the list.
- 🔍 Try to find the "Safe Mode" application in the application manager.
- 🔒 Check whether a password is set on the SIM card itself, which sometimes confused with an access code.
- 📱 Use the Google Assistant voice assistant to open the settings with a voice command.
Secret reset code
Some older Samsung models have a code #0# in the dialer menu, which opens the engineering menu, but this does not guarantee a password reset control.
Be careful when using third-party apps to reset passwords. Many of them require root accessthe receipt of which may void the warranty on the device. It is better to first try all legal recovery methods through the developer account.
Forced removal through the app menu
If standard shutdown is not possible, you can try to remove or disable the application itself that is responsible for the blocking. This method works if the system does not hide the “Applications” item from the user in child mode. You will need to find the system component that restricts access.
Go to the section Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list you need to find a app with a name like “Kids Mode”, “Child Lock” or “Parental Control”. Often the icon of such a service looks like a castle or a children's bear.
Click on the found application. If the "Uninstall" button is grayed out, then it is a system application. In this case, select the “Disable” or “Force Stop” option. After stopping, immediately go to the application storage and click "Clear data".
| Manufacturer | Service name | Location in the menu | Deletion option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Kids Home | Settings / Biometrics | Disable only |
| Xiaomi | Second space | Settings / Advanced | Full deletion |
| Huawei | Children's mode | Settings / System | Disconnection |
| Pure Android | Family Link | Settings / Google | Deleting an account |
☑️ Check before deleting
After cleaning data, the application will return to the “as after installation” state. The next time you start it, it may request configuration again, but the old lock will be removed. Just leave the setup and close the app.
Using Safe Mode
Safe Boot Mode is a powerful diagnostic tool that boots the operating system with only basic drivers and system applications. Third-party apps, including many parental control applications, will not run in this mode.
To enter this mode, you usually need to hold down the power button on the screen. When the reboot menu appears, press and hold your finger on the item Turn off or Reboot for a few seconds. The system will prompt you to switch to safe mode.
On devices with a non-removable battery, the button combination may differ. It is often used to hold down the volume down key while turning on the phone. The inscription Safe Modewill appear on the screen in the corner. In this state, you can go into the settings and delete the problematic application.
⚠️ Attention: Some phone functions will not work in safe mode, such as Bluetooth or certain navigation gestures. Don't be alarmed, this is normal system behavior.
After you uninstall the application or disable the monitoring service, simply restart your phone as usual. The device will exit safe mode and boot into normal mode, but without active locking.
Resetting the settings to factory settings as a last resort
If none of the above methods helped, the only radical option remains is to completely reset the device to factory settings (Hard Reset). This process will delete absolutely all data from the phone's internal memory, including photos, contacts and applications.
To perform a reset without accessing the settings menu, use a combination of hardware buttons. Turn off your phone completely. Then simultaneously hold down the Volume up and Power buttons (on some models you also need a “Home” button). Hold them until the brand logo appears.
You will be taken to the Recovery menu. Control here is carried out with the volume buttons, and selection is done with the power button. Find the item Wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action. The process may take several minutes, after which the phone will reboot as new.
If a Google account was entered on the phone, the system will require you to enter a password for it during the first setup. Make sure you remember these details before starting the procedure.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery menu interfaces may differ on different models. On some devices, the reset item may be called “Erase everything” or have red text.
Removal via computer and ADB (for advanced users)
For those who do not want to lose data and have minimal technical skills, there is a removal method via USB debugging. This method requires a computer, a USB cable and an installed package Android Debug Bridge (ADB).
First you need to activate developer mode. This is usually done by repeatedly tapping on the build number in the About Phone section. Then in the menu for developers, enable the item USB debugging. Connect your phone to your PC.
Open a command prompt on your computer and enter the command to get a list of installed packages. Find the name of the package responsible for child mode (for example, com.samsung.android.kidsinstaller). To remove, enter the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.package.nameReplace com.package.name with the real name of the found package. This command will remove the application for the current user without affecting the system partition. The lock will disappear instantly after executing the command.
The ADB method allows you to remove system applications without root access, but requires enabling debugging, which can be hidden in child mode.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove child mode without losing photos and contacts?
Yes, if you use the methods of disabling through settings, clearing application data or deleting via ADB. Only a hard reset deletes all the user’s personal files.
What is Family Link and how to remove it?
This is an official application from Google. You can delete it from the child’s device only after the parent deletes the child’s account from their family group through their device or web interface.
Why does the application appear again after deletion?
This means that you only deleted the shortcut or update, but the system version remained. You need to use the ADB command or disable the application in the settings, and not just delete the icon.
Does child mode block emergency calls?
No, according to Android security requirements, the ability to call emergency numbers (112, 911) should be preserved even when the screen is completely locked and child mode is active.
How to prevent your child from installing the mode again?
Set a password for installing applications from Google Play and block access to your phone settings using third-party launchers or the “Application Lock” functions.