Reset a Forgotten Screen Time Passcode on iPhone or iPad
Source-checked · About 10 minutes
Answer
You cannot legitimately bypass a Screen Time passcode, but you can reset one you own. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, then choose Change Screen Time Passcode again and authenticate with the Apple Account used when passcode recovery was set up. A Family Sharing organizer must reset a child's passcode from the organizer's own device.
On the device whose passcode you own, open Settings and tap Screen Time. A Screen Time passcode is different from the code used to unlock the device.
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Start the passcode change
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again. Follow the prompt to authenticate with the Apple Account used for Screen Time passcode recovery.
Enter the Apple Account email address and password used when the Screen Time passcode was created. Apple says this can be different from the account currently signed in on the device.
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Create a new Screen Time passcode
Enter a new Screen Time passcode twice. Store it somewhere secure and do not reuse the device unlock code.
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Reset a child's passcode correctly
On the Family Sharing organizer's device, open Settings > Screen Time, choose the child's name under Family, tap Manage Screen Time, then change the passcode. Do not try to reset it from the child's device.
If the family controls do not match Apple's instructions, update the devices in the Family Sharing group and try again from the organizer's device.
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Use Apple recovery help
If you forgot the recovery Apple Account password, recover it through Apple's account page, then retry the Screen Time instructions. Do not install an unlocker or configuration profile to remove family or ownership controls.
The Apple Account recovery steps above are the legitimate way to reset Screen Time. These sponsor links are preserved separately from the instructions, but Tech How does not recommend a third-party unlocker for bypassing account or family controls. Tech How may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
