How do I use the parental guidance lock on the TV app?

Setting up a parental guidance lock is the best way to control what your children have access to on BBC iPlayer. Click on the relevant question to find the answer you're looking for: 


How does TV parental guidance work?

The parental guidance PIN that's set on the iPlayer TV app for smart TVs, games consoles and set-top boxes is specific to that device and not linked to your BBC account or to the mobile/tablet app or website.

How do I set up the lock?

  1. Open the BBC iPlayer app on your TV and head to the menu on the left-hand side. Choose Settings then Settings & Help > Parental Guidance
     
  2. Select Set up Parental Guidance. Create your PIN or password. Once you've done this, click OK. You'll be asked to confirm that it's correct.

    Image of the Parental Guidance creation page, with a PIN entered at the top. The 'OK' button is highlighted
     
  3. On the next screen, check your details and confirm if they are correct.

    Image of the TV parental guidance screen asking the user to confirm their PIN or password is correct

How do I turn off the lock?

  1. Click on Settings > Settings & Help > Parental Guidance
  2. Click Disable Parental Guidance
  3. You'll need to enter the PIN or password you set when you created the lock, then click OK


How can I change the PIN or password?

  1. Click on Settings > Settings & Help > Parental Guidance
  2. Click Change Parental Guidance PIN or Password
  3. You'll need to enter the current PIN or password, then click OK
  4. From here, you can create a new PIN or password, then click OK


What if I forget my PIN or password?

You'll need to remove the parental guidance lock and then set it up again from scratch. To remove the lock if you've forgotten your PIN or secret answer: 

  1. Click on Settings > Settings & Help
  2. Highlight - but don't select - the Parental Guidance option

    Image of the Settings page on the iPlayer TV app with the Parental Control option highlighted
  3. On your remote, press right, right, right, right, left, left, left, left (four each way)
  4. Select the option to Clear Parental Guidance Password
  5. Restart the BBC iPlayer app
     

Using Sky, Virgin, YouView or Apple TV? Visit the following page for information on using their parental controls: How do I use parental guidance on Sky, Virgin Media, YouView or Apple TV?


What are the terms and conditions for using the lock?

If you permit a child to use your device, you are solely responsible for determining whether the BBC content is appropriate for that child to view. The BBC parental guidance lock provides a way to help you control how guidance-labelled BBC content may be played on your TV. If you turn on the parental guidance lock, your device will not be able to access guidance-labelled content unless you type in your password or PIN.