To avoid spending too much time on the phone, some Apple users may leverage the screen time passcode feature to increase productivity. Perhaps you’ve already set up various options to block the usage of social media apps or limit the time on engaging with streaming videos. But it could happen that you forgot the screen time passcode on iPhone or iPad.
As you need to create a new passcode to enable the feature, the numbers can somehow be easily mixed up. Regardless of what situation you meet with, this article can help tackle the screen time passcode forgotten issue. It contains three different methods to reset the screen time passcode easily.
What is Screen Time Passcode?
Before moving forward to the detailed guide, you may have a quick overview of the Screen Time feature.
Apple's Screen Time feature was first available in iOS 12. It’s mainly designed for letting you know the time you interact with certain apps. Besides, Apple will generate a daily or weekly report providing more information and insights on the time you use your device.
The Screen Time feature include four settings for adjustment, namely, Downtime, App Limits, Communication Limits, and Always Allowed. It also allows you to set up a passcode for limiting screen times, apps, and restricting content. If you’ve enabled family sharing, the screen time feature can also serve as a useful parental control feature.
Once you've set up the screen time passcode, it can be used to secure the Content & Privacy Restrictions or to allow time extensions on App Limits and therefore prevent excessive gaming or social media usage.
More tipsOn iOS 11 and previous versions, the feature is called Restrictions Passcode instead of Screen Time Passcode. And they are virtually identical.
To perform all these functions, you will need to set and use the Screen Time passcode, which is different from the passcode you use to unlock your device. However, is there any way to restore or remove Screen Time passcode if you forgot it? The answer is yes.
How to Remove Screen Time Passcode Without Apple ID (The Tach-savvy Way)
This method applies to the situation that you want to remove or even retrieve the screen time passcode on iPhone or iPad. And it doesn't require you to access your Apple ID account. Better still, it won't erase your data during the screen time passcode recovery process.
If you don't have a particular preference for using Apple’s official tool, there are actually quite a few third-party tools to remove screen time passcode efficiently.
FonePaw iOS Unlocker can be a reliable choice. As its name implies, it’s a handy tool to help you easily unlock your iPhone or iPad device. Essentially, the iOS unlock tool can deal with the following situations:
- Unlock passcode, Touch ID, and Face ID
- Delete Apple ID
- Remove Screen Time Passcode
Its supported devices include iPhone running iOS 15 and earlier versions and it's fully compatible with the latest iPhone 13.
For those who cannot remember the screen time passcode, the simple and intuitive program interface needs no steep learning curve and therefore easily regain control of your device. And here's how to get started.
Step 1. Download FonePaw iOS Unlocker
Download and install the suitable version of FonePaw iOS Unlocker on your computer.
Step 2. Connect the Device That You Forgot the Screen Time Passcode
Launch FonePaw iOS Unlocker and choose Screen Time from the three options. And then, connect your phone to the computer via a USB cable.
Step 3. Retrieve or Reset Screen Time Passcode.
Once the device is detected, click Start to begin. And then the program will scan and detect the issue.
On Device Running iOS 12 or Higher Versions
You should pay attention to the following settings:
- Find My iPhone must be disabled or it may cause failure in the removing passcode process. You can follow the prompt to turn it off.
Go to Settings and tap your name on the top > iCloud > Find My iPhone. Enter your iCloud password and turn off the Find My iPhone feature.
- After unlocking, you will need to tweak these settings.
To avoid data loss, remember to choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data" in the Apps & Data settings.
To make sure the screen time passcode is completely removed, select "Set Up Later" in Settings when you reset the Screen Time.
- The Apple ID is not necessary required in the process. But if your device is running iOS 13 or later, you can choose to add Apple ID to retrieve the Screen Time passcode. However, once Apple ID is added, removing Screen Time passcode may fail.
The most used method to remove screen time passcode is setting your iDevice as new to remove the forgotten passcode, which is troublesome. Luckily, since iOS 13, a new screen time reset feature is introduced to easily change your Screen Time password. Therefore, you should check your iOS version first and follow the instructions below to reset your Screen Time passcode.
On Device Running iOS 11 or Earlier Versions
Your data will not be erased during the Restrictions Passcode recovery process.
If you haven't encrypted your iTunes backup, you can directly view and retrieve the Restrictions Passcode without wiping your data.
Wait till the process finishes and when it is succeeded your device will restart. Now you need to reset your phone and enter a new passcode for the Screen Time.
In addition to the solutions above, we also collect some tips from other users:
- Try entering the common four digits like 0-0-0-0, 1-1-1-1, or 1-2-3-4. Usually, it is used as the default password. But don't try it too many times.
- Sign out of the Apple ID to disable Screen Time. In this way, you can turn off Screen Time on iPhone without the passcode.
- Sign out of the Apple ID and sign back in, then you can reset your Screen TIme passcode without too much hassle.
How to Reset Screen Time Passcode for iPhone/iPad (The Official Way)
If you can access the Apple ID, you can directly change the Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone or iPad. this method is also simple and viable.
- Go to settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode then tap it again.
- Hit Forgot Passcode, and enter the Apple ID and your password.
- Enter a new passcode for your Screen Time.
Alternative Method: Erasing All Settings to Reset Screen Time passcode
If you don't mind deleting all existing data or you’ve already had a backup, reset your iPhone or iPad can also handle the issue.
You can erase the Screen Time Passcode on your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Just keep in mind that this method will erase all your preferences, settings, and restore your phone to a completely new state. After wiping all settings on your device, you can reset the Screen Time passcode.
Restore iPhone or iPad via iTunes then Remove Screen Time passcode
Much similar to the former solution, you can restore your iPhone or iPad with iTunes to reset the screen time passcode. And this solution will reset your device to factory reset mode, which means it will also delete all your information and settings. Thus, you'd better back up your data in advance.
Step 1. Open iTunes while connecting your iDevice to the computer via USB cable and confirm the connection.
Step 2. Click Restore iPhone in iTunes. When a pop-up window appears and asks if you want to back up settings before restoring, remember to click Back Up.
Step 3. When the firmware update completes, you will be asked to set up as a new iPhone or restore the device from a backup. Select Set up as a new iPhone.
Step 4. When it finishes, you can reset your Screen Time passcode.
Final Thoughts
Above are all feasible solutions to reset the screen time passcode on your iPhone or iPad. Things will be much easier if you know the Apple ID of the locked Apple device.
If you prefer keeping data and not restoring your device, then third-party tool such as FonePaw iOS Unlocker can be a suitable choice.
And if you opt to official method, remember to back up your data first to avoid any unexpected error when trying to reset the screen time passcode on your device.