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How To Bypass Parental Controls on WiFi with a VPN

Bypass Parental Controls

Using a VPN to Bypass WiFi Parental Controls

Parental controls are there to keep you safe online, but sometimes they can be too restrictive. If you find that the rules are limiting your access to the internet more than necessary, a VPN might be a solution.

A VPN encrypts your internet connection. It hides what you are doing online. The VPN also gives you a new IP address, which doesn’t have limits set by parental controls. This allows you to visit websites freely.

A VPN can help you get around limits set on your WiFi or internet network. But, if there are controls on your device itself, a VPN can’t remove those. You can’t use it to get around rules when downloading apps.

During my testing I have 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 usage. 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.

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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. That’s because 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, that are needed to bypass parental controls. Here is 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

🌐 Website:nordvpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:Panama
📍Servers/Countries:5800+ servers in 60 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & CouponsGet 68% off + 3 months extra

NordVPN has a large server network with 5,000 servers in 55+ countries. In our tests, it always worked 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 on both distant and nearby servers. We also played video games while connected to random servers. We didn’t have high ping and we didn’t experience lags, freezes, or crashes. 

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

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, no matter how many websites you access. This can be a bit suspicious since it might appear as if you’re not using your phone too much. However, if you use the split-tunneling feature, the parental controls can register other IP addresses from other websites as well. 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

Plan1-year plan1-month plan2-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

Pros

  • Thousands of lightning-fast and well-optimized servers
  • Unblocks all the major streaming sites
  • Fully supports Torrenting and P2P
  • Strict no-logs policy and RAM-disk servers
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • Robust security features and military-grade encryption to protect you from DDoS attacks and other online threats
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Only 6 simultaneous connections
  • No free trial

3. Surfshark – great for unlimited connections

🌐 Website:surfshark.com
🏢 Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
📍Servers/Countries:3,200+ servers in 100 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & CouponsSave 84% Now!

Surfshark has a large server network with 3,200 servers in 60+ countries. So we were always able to find a server near us and get fast speeds. 

When we connected to the VPN servers, we experienced a 25% slowdown. So, we could watch HD and 4K videos without noticing quality drops. What’s more, we had low ping when playing online games. Surfshark also has a Bypasser, which is a split-tunneling feature. When we used Bypasser with gaming apps, we got 15% faster speeds. 

The VPN has apps for most operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS, which are very easy to use. We never experienced bugs and freezes during our tests, not even when we used the VPN while other RAM-heavy processes were running in the background. 

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 Plans2-year price1-year price1-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

Pros

  • A very affordable VPN provider
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Ad-blocking feature
  • Unblocks streaming platforms
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • A fast and light WireGuard protocol
  • Allows split-tunneling and has a multi-hop VPN feature
  • No-log policy and robust security features
  • GPS spoofing on Android devices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No free version
  • Does not allow P2P seeding

3. AtlasVPN – a robust VPN with a free version

🌐 Website:atlasvpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:United States
📍Servers/Countries:1000 servers in 49 locations
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons85% OFF + 3 Months FREE!

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

However, keep in mind that AtlasVPN’s free plan limits you to only 10 GB of data. So that’s enough for only 3 hours of HD videos. It also says on its website that it doesn’t support streaming for free plans. However, 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 also tested the VPN while playing popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft, and Dota 2 and we never experienced freezes or crashes.

The paid plans also give you access to SafeSwap servers, which refresh their IPs throughout the VPN session very often. That makes it very difficult 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 PlansPricing Additional Benefits
Free Version0.00$/month5 GB data limit
Access to 3 locations
1-Month Plan11.99$/month30-day money-back guarantee
1-Year Plan3.29$/month
Billed $39.48 annually
30-day money-back guarantee
2-Year Plan1.82$/month
Billed $43.68 biennially
30-day money-back guarantee

Pros

  • Very affordable plans and it has a free version
  • Fast Speeds
  • Helpful against an ISP throttling your connection
  • Unlimited device support
  • WireGuard protocol, DNS leak protection, and strong security features
  • Torrenting-friendly
  • Unblocks streaming services
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Limited Linux app
  • Based in the US
  • Not so many servers

How Does a VPN Bypass Parental Control?

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

FeatureDescriptionHow It Helps Bypass Parental Controls
EncryptionA 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 MaskingA 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 ServersVPNs 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 OptionsMany 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 SupportVPNs 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 considered better than a proxy when it comes to bypassing parental controls. Here’s why:

  1. Better Encryption: VPNs encrypt all the data you send and receive. Proxies usually do not. With VPNs, your online activity is hidden from parental controls because they can’t decode the encrypted data.
  2. More Reliable: VPNs are more stable and less likely to disconnect. Proxies might drop your connection, which could expose what you’re doing online.
  3. Whole-Device Coverage: VPNs can protect all the traffic from your device. Proxies usually work just for one app or web browser.
  4. Stronger Privacy: VPNs hide your IP address more effectively. Proxies might still allow parental controls to see your real IP address.

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

A VPN can bypass various types of Wi-Fi parental controls.

Here are some examples:

  1. Website Blocks: VPNs can access websites your parents have blocked on your home network.
  2. Safe Search Filters: If your parents have set up search filters, a VPN can bypass these to show unfiltered search results.
  3. Time Limits: Some parental 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: If there are rules based on where you are, a VPN can make it look like you’re accessing the internet from a different place.
  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 remain effective:

  1. App Installation Restrictions: VPNs cannot change settings on your accounts. Therefore, 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. However, 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.

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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, you cannot stop Family Link supervision with a VPN. A VPN can change your online location, but Family Link is an app that manages device usage, and its settings are tied to the user’s Google account.

Can I Use a VPN to Bypass Screen Time?

Using a VPN alone cannot bypass Screen Time limits because Screen Time is a device-based setting that tracks app usage. A VPN does not affect this tracking.

How Can I Bypass Parental Controls on Wi-Fi?

You may be able to bypass Wi-Fi parental controls by using a VPN to encrypt your Internet connection. This can hide the sites you’re visiting from the Wi-Fi router’s parental controls. However, some routers might still be able to detect and block VPN traffic.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Android?

To bypass parental controls on Android, you can try using a VPN to encrypt your online activity. However, this won’t work if the parental controls are set directly on the device, as they operate regardless of how you connect to the internet.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on iPhone?

Bypassing parental controls on an iPhone through a VPN may not work if the restrictions are set on the device itself. A VPN only encrypts online data and doesn’t change device-level settings.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Nintendo Switch?

To bypass parental controls on a Nintendo Switch, using a VPN might not help since these controls are set on the device. A VPN does not alter local settings or parental controls on the Switch console.

How to Bypass Parental Controls on Wii U?

Bypassing parental controls on Wii U cannot typically be achieved using a VPN because the 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 difficult as these controls are specifically designed to prevent unauthorized access. Attempting to bypass them without authorization is not advised and can be against the user agreement terms.

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