How to Restrict Functions in iOS
Posted 10/20/2011 at 1:01pm
| by Cory Bohon
Restrictions in iOS work simliarly to Parental Controls in OS X. It’s an easy way to restrict unauthorized users from accessing certain functions in iOS, and keep the kids away from inappropriate content.
To begin, head over to Settings > General > Restrictions and tap “Enable Restrictions” to set a password and get started restricting functionality.
1. Restricting Built-in Apps
After enabling Restrictions, under the Allow section in the Restrictions settings, you will see switches for Safari, YouTube, Camera, FaceTime, iTunes, Ping, Installing Apps, and Deleting Apps.

Flip the switch to turn off the selected functionality.
Simply flip the switch from ON to OFF and the functionality will be disabled for the switched function. When the function is turned off, the application will be hidden from visibility on the Home Screen.
2. Restricting Changes
In addition to built-in applications, you can also restrict changes to Location, Accounts, and Find My Friends.

Location-based restrictions are particularly important if you wish to disable certain location functions.
Tapping on Location in the Allow Changes section will let you Allow or Disallow changes in order to prevent new apps from using location services. You can disable Location services completely, or on a per-application basis.

Tapping on Accounts or Find My Friends will also allow you to Allow Changes or Don’t Allow Changes for those functions.

In this section, a purple location icon will appear next to an item that is currently using your location; a gray icon will appear beside items that have used location info in the past 24-hours.
Scrolling down to the bottom of the page will let you change System Services settings. From this screen, you can disable Cell Network Search, Compass Calibration, Diagnostics & Usage, Location-based iAds, Setting Time Zone, and Traffic.
3. Restricting Content
Under the Allowed Content section, you can set restrictions for Ratings for Music & Podcasts, Movies, TV Shows, and Apps. Tapping on any of these functions will allow you to set a maximum rating to allow.

In the Ratings For section, you can select the rating system to use; by default it will be set to your country.
Also in this section, you can disable In-App Purchases, and set the time that purchases are allowed after the Restriction password has been entered. You can select 15 minutes, or immediately for the time that the password is required.
4. Restricting Game Center

Reduce Game Center functions with just a tap.
The last options for Restrictions are the Game Center settings. In this section, you can disable multiplayer games and adding friends.
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