How do I use parental controls on the mobile/tablet app?

Setting up a parental guidance lock is the best way to control what your children have access to on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer. It can also be used to prevent a child profile easily accessing an adults profile.

Click on the relevant question to find the answer you're looking for:


How do I set up the lock?

Tap Settings (cog icon on the top right of the homepage)Ìý> Parental ControlsÌý> PIN Settings. Then:

  1. Choose and enter a four-digit PIN, then choose and answer a secret question.ÌýYour secret question and answer will be used to confirm you're over 16 in case you forget your four-digit PIN.

    Image of the parental guidance settings on the mobile/tablet app. A PIN is being chosen
  2. Select the box to confirm that you're over 16, then tap Activate. Your PIN is now set.

    Image of the parental guidance settings. a PIN has been chosen and a secret answer has been written. The Activate button is being selected

In the Settings menu, you can choose which areas of iPlayer you'd like the PIN to be used. You can selectÌýParental guidance lock and/or Profile switching lock.Ìý

How do I turn off the lock?

  1. Tap ³§±ð³Ù³Ù¾±²Ô²µ²õÌý(cog icon on the top right of the homepage)Ìý> Parental Controls
  2. Un-tick the Parental Guidance or Profile Switching Lock
  3. Enter your four-digit PIN

How can I change the PIN or password?

  1. Tap ³§±ð³Ù³Ù¾±²Ô²µ²õÌý(cog icon on the top right of the homepage)Ìý> Parental ControlsÌý>ÌýPIN Settings
  2. Enter your four-digit PIN
  3. Make the changes you'd like to make
  4. Tap Save

What if I forget my PIN or secret answer?

If you forget your PIN, you can use your secret questionÌýto gain access to the parental controls settings in the app. Just tap ³§±ð³Ù³Ù¾±²Ô²µ²õÌý(cog icon on the top right of the homepage)Ìý> Parental ControlsÌý> ForgotÌýPIN?Ìý

Enter your secret answer then make the changes you'd like. Tap SaveÌýwhen finished.

If you forget your secret answer, choose Forgot PIN?Ìýthen Forgotten answer?Ìýand follow the steps on screen. You can change the lock settings via one of the following methods, depending on the device:

  • Android or Amazon Fire
    Go to Settings > Apps > ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer > StorageÌýand select the ‘Clear Data’ or 'Clear Storage'Ìýoption. This should reset your parental controls, so you can set up a new PIN and secret question/answer.Ìý
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  • iOS
    You'll need to remove and then reinstall the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer app viaÌýthe Apple App Store in order to reset parental controls.Ìý

With both methods, you will lose any downloaded content in the app.

Will the lock work on my downloads?

Yes, absolutely – guidance information is displayed for all programmes in the app.Ìý

What are the terms and conditions for using the parental guidance lock?

If you permit a child to use your device, you are solely responsible for determining whether the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ content is appropriate for that child to view. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ parental guidance lock provides a way to help you control how guidance-labelled ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ content may be played on your device. If you turn on the parental guidance lock, the app will not be able to access guidance-labelled content unless you type in your password or PIN.
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Using the website on your mobile or tablet? Follow the steps on this page: How do I use the parental guidance lock on the website?

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