Forgot Screen Time passcode on iPhone & iPad? Reset it in 4 ways
Need to update your child's Screen Time and forgot the passcode? Forgetting Screen Time passcode on iPhone is not a nightmare as it can be easily solved. Here's how to do.
Alex Griffith Updated on Mar 10, 2026 5:49 PM
What to do when you forget Screen Time passcode:
- If you have your Apple Account and password, you can reset the 4-digit Screen Time passcode directly on your iPhone's Settings.
- If you are using Family Sharing to manage a child's device, only can the family organizer (parent) reset the passcode themselves from their own device.
- After 10 failed attempts, the device will lock you out of Screen Time settings for one hour.
- If the "Forgot Passcode" option is unavailable and all attempts fail, you still can resort to a third-party solution, something like Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker, which resets Screen Time passcode you forgot easily without erasing the device.
It's a sad thing that shortly after setting up Screen Time passcode for monitoring and reducing iDevice's usage time, you forgot your Screen Time passcode when needed.
Maybe you're not good at memorizing numbers, or maybe you rarely enter the passcode, then you forgot Screen Time passcode. Without the passcode, you can't do anything when you want to modify some settings under "Screen Time". For example, you can't disable or enable downtime, get more app's usage time and add more specific apps to a blocked list.
If you find yourself locked out, don't panic. In Apple Support Communities, lots of users have also reported that they forgot Screen Time passcode on iPhone or iPad. If you don't know how to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode, this article might be what you're looking for.
Table of Contents
The definition of Screen Time
Screen Time is a native feature on iPhone, iPad and Mac, displaying a real-time report for Apple users. It allows you to manage how much time you spend on your device, see which app you use most frequently, and set limits for some addictive apps or websites. This brilliant feature was built in when iOS 12 came out, and it has been improved by adding the ability to lock down apps and limit the Screen Time since iOS 13 launched.
In the Screen Time page, there are four types of Settings you can adjust:
- Downtime: During downtime, you can only use phone calls and apps that are always allowed.
- App Limits: Set specified time you can use for a single piece of app
- Always Allowed: Enabling this let you use some apps at any time (although during downtime).
- Content & Privacy Restrictions: Block unwanted apps and features on your device.
To turn on Screen Time: go to Settings > Screen Time, then tap Turn on Screen Time and tap Continue. Choose This is My [device] or select This's My Child's [device] if you want to monitor your child's device.
Set Screen Time passcode using Family Sharing: Settings > [Your name] > Family Sharing > Screen Time, and tap Add Child and enter your child's Apple ID.
See also: iPhone security lockout
Forgot Screen Time passcode? How to reset it in Settings app
For most users running modern versions of iOS (specifically iOS 13.4 or later), the process of recovering a Screen Time passcode you forgot on iPhone is significantly easier than it used to be. Previously, forgetting this code often meant a complete device wipe. Today, Apple allows you to use your Apple ID to bypass the forgotten 4-digit code.
1. Open Settings on your device and then tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, and select Change Screen Time Passcode again when a menu pops up.
3. The device will now ask you to enter your old Screen Time passcode. Since you don't have it, tap the small blue text that says Forgot Passcode?.
4. Go ahead and enter your Apple ID and password that you used to set up the Screen Time passcode on this specific device. And tap OK.
5. Once authenticated, you're allowed to create a new Screen Time passcode. Enter 4-digit passcode you can easily remember and enter that again to confirm. Now, the forgotten Screen Time passcode is removed.
If you find yourself in a double lockout where you also can't remember your Apple ID password, you must solve that problem first. You can visit iforgot.apple.com on any browser to reset your account password. Once done, return to the Screen Time settings to finish the reset.
Note: If you do not see the "Forgot Passcode?" option on the device, it usually means you did not provide an Apple ID during the initial setup of the Screen Time code.
See also: How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC
How to change Screen Time password on child's phone
One of the most common reasons people set Screen Time passcodes is to manage a child's device via Family Sharing. If you are a parent or guardian and you've forgotten the Screen Time passcode you set for your child's iPad or iPhone, you can't perform the reset on the child's device itself.
In a Family Sharing group, the Family Organizer (usually the parent) holds the administrative rights. To change or reset a child's forgotten passcode, the parent must use their own Apple device.
1. On the Parent's Device, go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Scroll down to the "Family" section and tap on the name of the child whose passcode needs resetting.
3. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, and then tap it again to confirm.
4. Authenticate with your own device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. This confirms that it is actually the parent making the change.
5. After that, create a new Screen Time passcode for the child.
This remote management is a powerful security feature. It prevents children from using the "Forgot Passcode" trick themselves to bypass the restrictions you've set.
If the on-device reset isn't working, your computer can act as the key master.
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB.
2. Open System Settings (or System Preferences) on the Mac.
3. Click on Screen Time.
4. If you are managing a child's device, select their name from the sidebar.
5. Click Options in the bottom-left corner.
6. Click Change Passcode, then click Forgot Passcode.
7. Enter your Apple ID credentials to reset an iPhone screen time passcode you forgot.
What happens after 10 Screen Time passcode attempts?
If you forgot an iPhone Screen Time passcode and enter the wrong codes, the device doesn't just say "try again." Instead, it makes the lockout escalation with every failed attempt:
- 6 failed attempts: 1-minute lockout.
- 7 failed attempts: 5-minute lockout.
- 8 failed attempts: 15-minute lockout.
- 9 failed attempts: 60-minute lockout.
After 10 incorrect attempts, you will be locked out of the Screen Time settings for an hour. While you can still use the phone for basic functions (unless Downtime is currently active), you will be unable to modify any restrictions or extend app limits until the timer expires.
If the "Erase Data" option is enabled in Settings, the device will perform a factory reset and wipe all data after 10 failed attempts to enter the wrong Screen Time passcode.
See also: Pictures disappeared from iPhone
Why the "Forgot Passcode" option is missing?
In a perfect world, the "Forgot Passcode" button would always be there to rescue you. However, many users find themselves staring at a screen that there is no option to change the Screen Time passcode. This can be happened due to the following:
Outdated iOS versions: No change Screen Time option? The ability to reset a Screen Time passcode via Apple ID was introduced in iOS 13.4.
Mobile Device Management: If the device is controlled by MDM, you're restricted to reset the Screen Time passcode yourself.
Incorrect Apple ID syncing: Sometimes, a software glitch or a change in Apple ID can interrupt the Screen Time passcode.
Family Sharing restrictions: If the device is part of a Family Sharing plan, the "Forgot Passcode" option will be intentionally absent.
If the Apple ID recovery fails, the "Forgot Passcode" button is missing, and you aren't on a managed device, don't fret. There are a few third-party solutions can help you out.
Our favorite is Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker. It's one of the most popular tools to unlock your iPhone or iPad when you forgot Screen Time passcode, screen passcode or inactive Apple ID. It even includes options to get rid of SIM card lock, mobile remote management (MDM), as well as activation lock. One of the good thing about it is you don't have to go through a factory reset process that Apple suggests.
Remember to turn off Find My on your iPhone or iPad in settings before you go further: Go to Settings, and tap [your name] > Find My. Then tap Find My iPhone or Find My iPad, enter your Apple ID, and tap Turn Off.
Here is how to reset your iPhone screen time passcode:
Step 1. Choose "Unlock Screen Time" mode
Download the program and install it on your either Mac or PC. Once done, launch it.
To get started, click Unlock Screen Time mode at the lower right corner of the window.
Next, use a lightning cable to connect your iPhone/iPad with your computer.
Step 2. Choose how your screen time password is set previously
Select an appropriate option depending on how you set up the screen time password on your device. For a device that's controlled by Family Sharing, make sure select the latter one.
Step 3. Remove Screen Time passcode
On the screen that follows, click on Start Now button.
If you don't turn off "Find My iPhone" or "Find My iPad" in the previous step, here you need to do it before proceeding.
Wait a while for the software to remove the screen time passcode you forget.
Once done, your device will reboot and ask you to set it up.
Follow the on-screen instructions to do it. When you reach Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, be sure to select Don't Transfer anything to continue. This way, you will find all pictures, contacts, files, and other important data are still stored on the device after setup.
Forgot iPad passcode? Read our article: What to do if you forgot iPad passcode.
Factory reset the device
If you still can't reset your Screen Time passcode, you have reached the final resort: Erase All Content and Settings. This will reset the device to its factory settings, and wipe all data clean.
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Be sure to back up your important data if you haven't.
3. You will be asked to enter your device passcode and your Apple ID password to turn off "Find My" and Activation Lock.
4. Confirm the erasure.
Conclusion
Forgetting your Screen Time passcode on iPhone is a frustrating hurdle, but it is rarely a permanent one. Between Apple ID recovery and Family Sharing tools, most users can remove or change screen time restrictions to regain access within minutes.
