How to reset Screen Time passcode, even if you forgot it
Locked out of Screen Time Settings due to a forgotten passcode? Discover how to reset a Screen Time passcode on iPhone, iPad, or Mac with step-by-step solutions.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Mar 12, 2026 11:05 AM
Without requiring the original passcode or Apple Account, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker is an efficient tool that helps remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode and restore full access to Screen Time settings on a parent's or child's iPhone/iPad.
Can't access Screen Time settings and don't have the passcode? Explore efficient ways for Screen Time passcode reset.
Built into Apple devices, Screen Time is a helpful feature designed to monitor and manage how much time is spent on apps, websites, and other services. It allows users to track usage, set limits, and control access to certain content. To secure these settings, a Screen Time passcode is usually set for preventing unauthorized changes.
However, sometimes you may want to reset the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, especially if you forgot the old passcode, want to remove parental control restrictions, or need urgent access to a Screen Time-locked app after reaching the usage limit.
Typically, resetting a Screen Time passcode is easy if you can verify the current passcode or provide the Apple Account and password originally used to set it up. If you don't have access to that information, don't worry. There are still reliable ways for quick Screen Time passcode reset.
In this guide, we will walk you through different ways to reset Screen Time passcode and regain control of your device settings and app usage.
What is Screen Time passcode?
A Screen Time passcode is a 4-digit security code used to lock and protect the Screen Time settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Once enabled, the passcode is required when you try to access or change the Screen Time settings, which efficiently prevents others from making unauthorized changes or bypassing the app limits you've set.
Things to know before Screen Time passcode reset
Generally, Apple allows you to reset the Screen Time passcode by entering the current code or verifying the Apple Account originally used to set it up. If you've forgotten the passcode or can't access that Apple Account credentials, some useful 3rd-party tools can also help you reset the passcode to unlock Screen Time Settings.
However, if you repeatedly enter the wrong Screen Time passcode, the system will temporarily lock you out from trying again. The lockout period ranges from 1 minute to up to 1 hour before another attempt is allowed. After 10 failed Screen Time passcode attempts, you'll need to reset the Screen Time passcode before you're able to access the app usage settings again.
How to reset Screen Time passcode if you still remember it
To reset the passcode of Screen Time, the process is straightforward if you still remember your current passcode. Whether you're changing the passcode on your own device or for your child's device, here's what to do:
Resetting Screen Time passcode for your iPhone/iPad
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down for Screen Time and tap it.
3. Select Change Screen Time Passcode and tap it again.
4. When prompted, enter the current Screen Time passcode for verification.
5. Enter a new 4-digit passcode you prefer to use and enter it again to reset.
After the Screen Time passcode is reset successfully, you can use the new code to unlock the settings and modify app usage limits and restrictions.
Reset Screen Time passcode on Mac
1. Open the Apple menu in the top left corner, and select System Settings or System Preferences.
2. Click Screen Time in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down and click Change Passcode next to the Lock Screen Time Settings header.
4. Enter the current 4-digit passcode to verify your identity.
5. Create a new passcode to secure Screen Time settings on your Mac, and enter it again.
Reset Screen Time passcode for your child's device
When you're using Family Sharing to manage a child's or another family member's Apple Account, it allows you to reset their Screen Time passcode directly from your own Apple device. Make sure you're signed in as the family organizer. Here's how:
- On the Family Sharing organizer's iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
- Select Screen Time and scroll down to Family section.
- Choose the name of your child or a family member.
- Under Restrictions, tap Change Screen Time Passcode and tap it again to confirm.
- When asked, enter the current passcode to verify.
- After verification, create a new Screen Time passcode and then enter it again to confirm.
If the Share Across Devices option is enabled, the new Screen Time passcode will automatically update on those devices after you reset it.
How to reset Screen Time passcode if forgotten
If you've forgotten your Screen Time passcode, it's still possible to reset it by verifying the original Apple Account and password used for setting it up. As long as you have access to the required credentials, open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and follow the steps below to reset the forgotten Screen Time passcode using your Apple Account.
Reset your forgotten Screen Time passcode on iPhone/iPad
1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings app > Screen Time.
2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode and tap it again in the prompt.
3. When you're asked to enter the passcode, tap the Forgot passcode? link.
4. In the opening Screen Time Passcode Recovery screen, verify the Apple Account and password you used for Screen Time.
5. Tap OK to confirm.
6. Enter a new 4-digit Screen Time passcode and enter it again to reset.
Once reset, you can unlock Screen Time Settings with the new passcode, and regain full access to manage app time limits and usage restrictions.
Recover Screen Time passcode on a Mac
1. Open the Apple menu in the top left corner, and select System Settings or System Preferences.
2. Click Screen Time in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down and click Change Passcode next to the Lock Screen Time Settings header.
4. Click Forgot Passcode? link in the pop-up box.
5. Enter the Apple ID and password you previously used to set up Screen Time passcode.
6. Enter a new passcode with 4 digits and re-enter it to confirm the reset.
See what to do if you cannot sign into your Apple ID.
Screen Time passcode reset for your child's device
To reset the Screen Time passcode for a family member's device without knowing the old one, ensure you're the Family Sharing organizer and have access to the associated Apple Account credentials. Here's how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Select Screen Time and choose the child or family member's name under FAMILY.
- Under Restrictions, tap Manage Screen Time option.
- Tap Change Screen Time Passcode and tap it once again.
- When asked for passcode, tap Forgot Passcode? link on the screen.
- Enter the Apple Account and password you used to set up the Screen Time.
- Follow the prompts to set a new Screen Time passcode.
- Confirm the passcode reset by entering it again.
Quick Tip: If the Forgot Passcode? link doesn't appear, check whether the device is part of a Family Sharing group and make sure you're using the same Apple Account email and password that were used to set up Screen Time locks.
How to reset forgotten Screen Time passcode without Apple Account
Whether you've forgotten your current passcode or the originally-used Apple Account credentials, it's still possible to reset the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone or iPad by using an efficient tool like Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker.
With a built-in Unlock Screen Time mode, this tool enables you to bypass the verification and remove the forgotten Screen Time passcode from either a parent's or child's iPhone or iPad, recovering full access to manage the app usage limits as you want.
Best of all, this tool is designed to remove various types of locks and restrictions. In addition to Screen Time passcode reset, it also supports iPhone/iPad passcode unlock, Apple ID removal, MDM bypass, SIM unlock, and more.
When you're ready, here are the quick steps to reset a Screen Time passcode on iPhone or iPad without Apple Account or password:
Step 1. Open Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker on computer and select Unlock Screen Time to start. It works on both Windows and macOS.
Step 2. Select how Screen Time passcode is set up on your device: Set up directly on the device or Through "Family" settings. Choose the one depending on your situation.
Step 3. Connect your iDevice with a USB cable and click Start Now.
Step 4. Trust this computer to get your iPhone/iPad ready for Screen Time passcode reset.
- Unlock your iPhone/iPad and tap Trust on Trust This Computer prompt. If asked, enter the screen passcode to proceed.
- If Find My is enabled on your Apple device, follow the onscreen instructions to turn off Find My via Settings > [Your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad, then toggle it off.
Step 5. Click Continue to remove the forgotten Screen Time passcode from your iPhone/iPad.
Once done, the Screen Time passcode is removed from your or your child's iPhone/iPad completely. You may follow the instructions to set up your device and create a new passcode to access your Screen Time settings without restrictions.
If needed, it can also help you turn off Screen Time without a passcode.
How to remove Screen Time passcode via factory reset
As a last resort, you can remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode by performing a factory reset on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. However, this process will erase all content and settings on the device, which may lead to significant data loss unless you have a backup.
This method only works if the device is not managed through Family Sharing. Also, make sure you know the Apple Account and password associated with your device. Otherwise, iCloud Activation Lock may prevent you from setting it up again after the reset.
For an iPhone or iPad:
- Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone / iPad > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Continue and confirm the Erase iPhone option.
- When asked, enter the passcode for this device.
- Verify your Apple Account password to proceed.
- After the reset, all data will be erased completely. Your iDevice will restart with no Screen Time passcode or any other locks. Take your time to go through the setup again.
For a Mac or MacBook:
- Open the Apple menu and then go to the System Settings or System Preferences.
- Navigate to General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to verify your administrator password and confirm the reset.
- Wait patiently until your Mac reboots.
- The Screen Time passcode will be removed along with everything else. You can then set it up again and manage the Screen Time settings in your desired way.
Quick fixes if you cannot reset your Screen Time passcode
If you still have trouble in resetting the Screen Time passcode, try the following fixes below:
If you want to reset your own Screen Time passcode
Make sure you have either the correct passcode or access to the Apple Account and password that were used for Screen Time setup.
If you're resetting the Screen Time passcode on a family member's device
Ensure the target device is part of your Family Sharing group and that you're signed in with the family organizer's Apple Account.
If you forgot your Screen Time passcode
Apple allows you to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode by verifying the Apple Account and password originally used to set up the Screen Time restrictions.
If there's no option for Forgot Screen Time Passcode
Check whether the device is managed by a parent or guardian through Family Sharing. If so, you may need to request the Screen Time passcode reset from the family organizer.
Consider using a Screen Time unlock tool
If you don't have access to both the Screen Time passcode and the Apple Account used to set it up, you may consider using a specialized tool such as Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker. It can remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode from either a parent's or child's iPhone or iPad, allowing you to set a new passcode or turn off Screen Time locks completely.
FAQs
Q1 - What happens after 10 failed Screen Time passcode attempts?
After multiple incorrect attempts, your Apple device will lock access to the Screen Time settings for a temporary time, starting from 1 minute up to 1 hour. After 10 failed attempts, there's no chance left for entering another passcode. You'll need to reset the passcode to access the Screen Time settings again.
Q2 - How to turn off the Screen Time without passcode?
To turn off the Screen Time, Apple requires verification of the correct passcode you've set up. If you don't remember it or you're under parent control, an available option to turn off Screen Time without passcode is using the Apple Account and password originally used for setting it up.
If that information isn't available, some convenient passcode removal tool such as Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker can be of help.
Q3 - How do I change my Screen Time passcode without knowing the old one?
If the Forgot Passcode? option is available when you're attempting to change the Screen Time passcode, you can follow that link to verify the Apple Account email and password used when creating the passcode. Once verified, you can change your Screen Time passcode to a new one.
