How To Bypass Parental Controls on WiFi with a VPN

Parental controls are meant to keep you safe online. But sometimes, they can be too strict. If you feel they’re limiting your internet too much, a VPN might help.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection. It hides what you’re doing online. Plus, it gives you a new IP address. This new address doesn’t have the limits of parental controls, so you can visit websites freely.

A VPN can also help you bypass limits on your WiFi or internet network. But, it can’t remove limits set on your device itself. For example, it can’t help you get around rules when downloading apps.

During my testing, I found that NordVPN is the best choice to Bypass Parental Controls in WiFi.

What are the most popular parental controls and how do they work?

Many parents use parental controls to manage their children’s internet use. Here are the most common types:

• Router-Level Controls: Parents can block certain websites and limit internet usage directly on the WiFi router.
• Device Restrictions: Set up on smartphones or tablets, these controls limit app usage, screen time, and access to adult content.
• Browser Filters: Certain browsers have built-in features that filter out inappropriate content based on age restrictions.
• Third-Party Apps: Apps like Qustodio, Net Nanny Track, Google Family Link, Circle with Disney, and control online activity, including social media monitoring and time limits.

Each type of control works differently. Router-level controls apply to anyone using the home WiFi. Device restrictions are specific to the gadget you use. Browser filters screen the content shown on web searches. Third-party apps offer detailed monitoring and control options.

How to Setup a VPN to Bypass Parental Controls on Wi-Fi?

To get around parental controls on your WiFi, using a VPN can help.

Here’s a simple guide to setting one up:

1. Pick a VPN service with good reviews (NordVPN recommended)
2. Sign up with your email and choose the service plan you want.
3. Download the VPN app from their website or your app store.
4. Install it on your device.
5. Open the app and log in
6. Choose a VPN server from the app to connect
7. Make sure the VPN is connected
8. You have bypassed the parental controls and can browse without restriction
9. When finished, don’t forget to disconnect from the VPN.

The easiest way to bypass parental controls on WiFi is by using a VPN. It unblocks restricted websites and hides your online activity from parental control reports. It also works on school networks.

How to Choose the Right VPN to Bypass Parental Controls?

I tested VPNs for key features to bypass parental controls. Here’s what you should look for in a VPN to unlock WiFi restrictions:

• Large Server Network: Choose a VPN with many servers worldwide for reliable access and fast internet speed.
• Fast Speeds: Look for a VPN that minimizes the slowdown caused by encryption to support quick browsing and low-ping gaming.
• Streaming Support: Make sure the VPN can unblock popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
• User-Friendly: Select a VPN with easy-to-use apps so you can set it up quickly, without complex technical steps.
• Device Compatibility: Ensure the VPN has apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, so it works on all your devices.
• Multiple Connections: A good VPN allows you to use it on several devices at once, which is convenient for your PC, phone, and tablet.
• Affordability: You don’t need an expensive VPN. Many have affordable plans, and our website often features discounts and deals.
• Strong Encryption: To keep your activity hidden from ISPs, hackers, and parental controls, choose a VPN with robust encryption.

Best VPNs to Bypass Parental Controls on Wi-Fi

1. NordVPN – the best overall VPN for bypassing parental controls

NordVPN has a large server network with 5,000 servers in 55+ countries. It worked well with streaming sites, gaming apps, and social media platforms.

Also, we only had a 15% slowdown when using this VPN’s servers, so NordVPN has lightning-fast speeds. As a result, we didn’t notice any buffering when we watched HD and 4K videos. We also played video games without any issues.

What’s more, NordVPN also has split tunneling. This feature lets you choose which apps use the VPN connections.

This can be extremely useful if you’re being constantly monitored. If all the apps use a VPN connection, then only one IP address will show up in the parental control reports. This can be suspicious.

But, if you use the split-tunneling feature, the parental controls can register other IP addresses. So the chances of someone noticing you’re using a VPN are lower.

This VPN provider also has apps for all important operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also allows 6 simultaneous connections so you can use it on 6 devices at the same time. Plus, it has cheap plans and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you can try the VPN service risk-free.

If you want to find out more about this VPN provider, check out our in-depth NordVPN review.

Plan	1-year plan	1-month plan	2-year plan
Standard Plan	$4.99/month	$12.99/month	–
Plus Plan	$5.99/month	$13.99/month	–
Complete Plan	$6.99/month	$14.99/month	$5.49/month

3. Surfshark – great for unlimited connections

Surfshark has a large server network with 3,200 servers in 60+ countries. This means we could always find a server close to us. We also got fast speeds.

Connecting to VPN servers made our speeds 25% slower. But, we could still watch HD and 4K videos without any quality drops. Plus, our ping was low when playing online games. Surfshark also has a Bypasser, which is a split-tunneling feature. Using Bypasser with gaming apps made our speeds 15% faster.

The VPN has apps for most operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS. These apps are very easy to use. We never had any bugs or freezes during our tests, even when other RAM-heavy processes were running.

Surfshark also has CleanWeb, which is a good ad blocker that blocks ads on sites and connections to malicious sites. In our tests, CleanWeb blocked most ads on the websites we visited.

What’s more, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections so you can use it on as many devices as you want. It also has very affordable plans and it backs them up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark Plans	2-year price	1-year price	1-month price
Starter	$2.30/month	$3.99/month	$12.95/month
Surfshark One	$3.22/month	$4.49/month	$17.95/month
Surfshark One+	$5.99/month	$8.29/month	$22.95/month

3. AtlasVPN – a robust VPN with a free version

AtlasVPN has a decent free plan you can use to bypass parental controls. It has 700+ servers in 30+ countries. This lets you unlock tons of restricted content on your device.

But, the free plan only lets you use 10 GB of data. That’s enough for only 3 hours of HD videos. It also says it doesn’t support streaming for free plans. Yet, we were able to unblock Netflix and Disney+ several times.

The good news is that AtlasVPN has super affordable plans, which give you access to unlimited data. We tested the VPN while playing Fortnite, Minecraft, and Dota 2. We never experienced freezes or crashes.

The paid plans also give you access to SafeSwap servers, which refresh their IPs often. This makes it hard for parental control apps to detect and block the VPN.

AtlasVPN offers split tunneling and unlimited simultaneous connections. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can try their premium plans risk-free.

AtlasVPN Plans	Pricing	Additional Benefits
Free Version	0.00$/month	5 GB data limit Access to 3 locations
1-Month Plan	11.99$/month	30-day money-back guarantee
1-Year Plan	3.29$/month Billed $39.48 annually	30-day money-back guarantee
2-Year Plan	1.82$/month Billed $43.68 biennially	30-day money-back guarantee

How Does a VPN Bypass Parental Control?

These are the ways a VPN can be used to bypass parental controls:

Feature	Description	How It Helps Bypass Parental Controls
Encryption	A VPN encrypts, or secures, your internet data so it can’t be easily read by others.	Because the data is encrypted, parental controls can’t decipher or block the encrypted websites and activities.
IP Masking	A VPN masks or hides your real IP address and assigns you a new one.	With a new IP address, it’s harder for parental controls to apply restrictions based on your actual location.
Remote Servers	VPNs connect you to remote servers, often in different geographic locations.	Connecting through these servers can circumvent local restrictions set by parental controls on your home network.
Protocol Options	Many VPNs offer different protocols that determine how your data travels over the internet.	Some protocols might be better at avoiding detection by parental control software, making restrictions less effective.
Multi-Platform Support	VPNs often work across different devices and operating systems.	Whether you’re on a phone, tablet, or computer, a VPN can help bypass parental controls regardless of the device.

Is a VPN Better Than a Proxy for Bypassing Parental Controls?

A VPN is often seen as better than a proxy for getting past parental controls. Here’s why:

1. Better Encryption: VPNs encrypt all your data. Proxies don’t. This means your online actions are hidden from parental controls because they can’t read the encrypted data.
2. More Reliable: VPNs are more stable and less likely to drop your connection. Proxies might disconnect, which could reveal what you’re doing online.
3. Whole-Device Coverage: VPNs protect all your device’s traffic. Proxies usually only work for one app or browser.
4. Stronger Privacy: VPNs hide your IP address better. Proxies might still let parental controls see your real IP address.

What Type of Wi-Fi Parental Controls Can a VPN Bypass?

A VPN can get past many types of Wi-Fi parental controls.

Here are some examples:

1. Website Blocks: VPNs can access blocked websites on your home network.
2. Safe Search Filters: A VPN can bypass search filters to show unfiltered results.
3. Time Limits: Some controls only allow internet access at certain times. A VPN can’t change the time but might help you access the internet through a different network.
4. Location-Based Restrictions: A VPN can make it look like you’re accessing the internet from a different place, bypassing location-based rules.
5. Usage Logs: Parental controls might keep track of what you do online. A VPN encrypts your data and can prevent these logs from showing your activity.

What Type of Wi-Fi Parental Controls Can’t a VPN Bypass?

Even with a VPN, some Wi-Fi parental controls still work:

1. App Installation Restrictions: VPNs can’t change account settings. So, they can’t bypass restrictions on downloading or installing apps set by parents.
2. Data Usage Limits: A VPN can’t bypass limits on how much data you can use. Both VPN and non-VPN data count towards any caps your parents set on your device.
3. Geofencing: Parents can use geofencing to track physical locations through GPS or radio identification. VPNs affect internet data, not GPS signals, so they cannot bypass geofencing.
4. Time Tracking: Screen time and usage limits are tracked by the device. A VPN cannot change how long a device is used.
5. Social Media and Email Logging: These controls work within the social media services and email accounts. A VPN can’t stop these services from logging actions within them.
6. Call and Message Tracking: Standard calls and text messages do not use internet data. They’re sent over radio waves. A VPN does not hide or encrypt these communications.
7. Network Access Control: If parental controls block your device from even joining the Wi-Fi network, a VPN won’t help. You need network access first to use a VPN.

What Are Alternative Ways to Bypass Parental Controls on WiFi?

Using Your PC’s Admin Account on Windows

If you have access to the admin account on your computer, you can change settings that restrict internet access. The admin account has the power to alter system settings and remove or change parental controls. To use this method, you need the password for the admin account. Once logged in, you can modify settings or install software that can help bypass restrictions.

Using a Proxy or an Unblocking Site

Proxies work like VPNs by routing your internet through another server. This can help you access restricted sites. Some websites offer services to unblock other sites.

You enter the URL you want to visit, and the unblocking site lets you access it. Proxies can be faster than VPNs because they may store frequently accessed data. But they may not encrypt your traffic like VPNs do.

Factory Resetting an iPhone or iPad

A factory reset will erase all data on your device and remove all settings, including parental controls. You need the device’s passcode to do this. Before you reset, back up important data because everything will be deleted. To factory reset, go to settings, general, reset, and choose ‘Erase All Content and Settings.’

Factory Resetting an Android Smartphone or Tablet

Like with iOS devices, a factory reset on Android removes all data and settings. Make sure to back up important files first.

To reset, open settings, find ‘System,’ then ‘Reset options,’ and select ‘Erase all data (factory reset).’ After the reset, the device will be like new, without parental control settings.

Using a Different WiFi

If you can access a different WiFi network, like one from a neighbor or a local business, you could bypass parental controls. The other WiFi may not have the same restrictions as your home network. Always remember that using someone else’s WiFi without permission is not recommended, and when using public WiFi, it’s safer to use a VPN to protect your data.

Using Mobile Data

Switching to mobile data allows you to avoid WiFi restrictions. Because mobile data is separate from your home network, the parental controls on your WiFi won’t apply. But, be aware of your data plan limits. Streaming videos in high resolution can use up your data quickly, which could lead to extra charges on the phone bill.

Conclusion

In summary, while parental controls serve to shield you from online risks, they might also limit your freedom.

Using a VPN provides a way to navigate around these controls, allowing you to enjoy social media and games.

Remember that reliable VPN services such as NordVPN not only offer a workaround but also come with strong security features to keep your data safe.

FAQ

Can You Stop Family Link Supervision With a VPN?

No, a VPN can’t stop Family Link supervision. A VPN changes your online location. But Family Link manages device usage through your Google account.

Can I Use a VPN to Bypass Screen Time?

Using a VPN alone won’t bypass Screen Time limits. Screen Time tracks app usage on devices. A VPN doesn’t affect this tracking.

How Can I Bypass Parental Controls on Wi-Fi?

You might bypass Wi-Fi parental controls with a VPN. It encrypts your Internet connection, hiding your browsing from the router. But, some routers might still block VPN traffic.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Android?

Try a VPN to encrypt your online activity on Android. But, it won’t work if controls are set directly on the device. Device-level controls work no matter your internet connection.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on iPhone?

Using a VPN to bypass iPhone parental controls might not work. A VPN encrypts data but doesn’t change device settings.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch?

Using a VPN won’t bypass parental controls on the Nintendo Switch. These controls are set on the device. A VPN doesn’t change local settings or parental controls.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Wii U?

Bypassing Wii U parental controls with a VPN is unlikely. These controls are applied to the gaming system, not the internet connection.

How Do I Bypass Parental Controls Without a Password?

Bypassing parental controls without a password is hard. These controls are made to prevent unauthorized access. Trying to bypass them without permission is not advised and may violate user agreement terms.