A Screen Time passcode lets you lock Screen Time settings so only the approved person can change app limits, downtime, and content restrictions. It is especially useful when you want to control your own usage or manage a child's device.
Forgetting the passcode can block changes to those restrictions and leave you stuck until you recover or remove it. This guide explains the fastest safe ways to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode and what to do when the normal Apple reset path fails.
Change Screen Time Passcode
What Happens If You Lose the Screen Time Passcode?
The Screen Time passcode is separate from the device passcode. It protects Screen Time settings so only an authorized user can change app limits, downtime, content filters, or family-device controls.
It is a useful tool for managing digital well-being, especially for parental controls over children's device usage. If you forgot it:
you may not be able to sign out of your Apple Account if the Screen Time passcode or Screen Time restrictions are still active.
your device will be locked:
Apple doesn't publish one fixed maximum number of failed attempts before Screen Time locks you out. In practice, the wait time usually increases after repeated wrong entries, so guessing is rarely the fastest way forward.
| 6 failed passcode attempts | try again in 1 minute |
| 7 failed passcode attempts | try again in 5 minutes |
| 8 failed passcode attempts | try again in 15 minutes |
| 9 failed passcode attempts or more | try again in 60 minutes |
Way 1: Reset the Screen Time Passcode with Apple ID & Password
If you forgot the screentime passcode, you can change it with your Apple account. The steps below will help you reset the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
Steps On iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
- Go to the Settings app, then open Screen Time
- Click Change Screen Time Passcode, then click on it again
- Tap on Forgot Passcode?
- Input the Apple ID and password you used to set up the Screen Time passcode
- Next, provide a new Screen Time passcode and enter it again to confirm. Or you can turn off screen time passcode.
Steps to Change Forgotten Screen Time Passcode on iPhone
Steps To Reset Screen Time Passcode On Mac
- Select the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then tap Screen Time. On some older Macs, this menu may still appear as System Preferences.
- Click on Options in the bottom-left corner
- Tap Change Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode
- Provide the Apple ID and password you used to create the Screen Time passcode.
- Next, provide a new Screen Time passcode and enter it again to confirm
Click Change Screen Time Passcode On Mac
Way 2: Reset the Screen Time Passcode with the Family Device
The second method uses Family Sharing. If the Family Organizer enabled the Screen Time passcode for a child, you need the organizer's device to reset it.
Steps On your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch
- Go to settings on the Family Organizer's device, then click on Screen Time
- Choose a child's name under Family
- Click Change Screen Time Passcode, then click on it again. You may be required to authenticate using your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID.
- Provide a new Screen Time passcode and input it again to confirm
Steps On a Mac
- Select the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then tap Screen Time. On some older Macs, this menu may still appear as System Preferences.
- Pick a child's name on the drop-down menu in the left sidebar
- Click on Options in the bottom-left corner
- Tap Change Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode
- Provide the Apple ID and password you used to create the Screen Time passcode.
- Next, provide a new Screen Time passcode and enter it again to confirm
Click System Preferences On Mac
The methods above won't work if you cannot log into the Apple Account that originally set the Screen Time passcode or if you can't access the Family Organizer's device. Apple also notes that the recovery Apple Account may be different from the one currently signed in on the device, so double-check that before you assume the reset has failed.
Way 3: Remove the Screen Time Passcode without Password via Mobitrix LockAway
Mobitrix LockAway is a dependable tool for iOS users, offering a hassle-free way to remove the Screen Time passcode. It enables you to bypass this passcode without losing any data, allowing you to reset both your device and Screen Time lock with ease.
Steps:
- On your Mac or PC, Download Download and install Mobitrix LockAway.
- Next, connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer and choose “Unlock Screen Time Passcode.”
- Turn off Find My iPhone, click Start and follow the instructions on your computer.
- The process of removing the screen time passcode will start. After that, you can set up a new screen time passcode or turn it off to continue using your device normally.
Mobitrix LockAway - Unlock Screen Time - Home
Choose Mobitrix LockAway for its:
- Speed: Removes screen time passcode in under 20 minutes.
- Ease of Use: Simple clicks, no technical steps.
- High Success Rate: Up to 99% effectiveness.
- Privacy Assurance: 100% data protection.
- Wide Compatibility: Supports iPhone 5s to iPhone 17, iOS 26 and earlier.
Useful When:
- Forgotten Apple ID password prevents screen time passcode reset.
- Inheriting a second-hand phone still linked to the previous owner's Apple ID.
- Old devices with forgotten Apple ID setup details.
- Apple ID locked, hindering screen time passcode reset.
Way 4: Factory Reset iOS to Remove the Forgotten Screen Time Passcode
By factory resetting, you return the device to its original settings. This removes the Screen Time passcode too, but it also erases the device, so it is best treated as a fallback when Apple Account-based recovery is not available.
Steps:
- Go to Settings, click General, then open Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Click Erase All Content and Settings
- You may be required to enter your Apple ID password or your passcode. If requested, provide it, then confirm you want to erase the device.
- Wait for the process to conclude. Depending on your device, it may take a couple of minutes.
Click Erase All Content and Settings
Way 5: How to Remove the Screen Time Passcode Using iTunes
Finder on Mac and Apple Devices or iTunes on Windows can restore the device to factory settings. That restore process gives the same end result as erasing in Settings: the Screen Time passcode is removed because the device is reset.
Preparation:
- Get a PC or a Mac and use Finder on Mac, or Apple Devices / the latest iTunes on Windows.
- Switch off your iPhone/iPad, then put it in recovery mode.
Steps for iPhone
A. Switching off your iPhone:
- Turn off your iPhone according to its model:
- If you are using an X and later, iPhone 8, 8 plus, and iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen): Press and hold the volume down button and the side button simultaneously. Wait until the power off slider pops up.
- If you are using an iPhone 7, 7 plus, 6, and 6s: Press and hold down the side button. Hold it until the power off slider appears.
- If you are using an iPhone SE(1st generation) or iPhone 5s and earlier: Press and hold down the top button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to switch off your iPhone and wait a minute to make sure it shuts down entirely.
B. Putting your iPhone into recovery mode:
Identify the button you will need to hold in the next step:
- For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, and SE (2nd and 3rd gen): Press and hold the side button.
- For iPhone 7 Plus and 7: Press and hold the volume down button
- For the iPhone SE (1st gen) and iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button
See the recovery mode screen
Steps for iPad
A. Switching off your iPad:
- Turn off your iPad according to its model:
- If your iPad model has no home button: Press and hold any volume button together with the top button simultaneously until you see the power off slider.
- If your iPad model has a home button: Press and hold down the top button until the power off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to switch off your iPad, and wait a minute to make sure it shuts down entirely.
B. Putting your iPad into recovery mode:
Identify the button you will need to hold in the next step:
- For iPad models with no home button: Press and hold the top button
- For iPad models that have a home button: Press and hold the home button
- Press and hold the appropriate button and connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer simultaneously. Keep holding the button.
- Hold the button till the recovery screen pops up on your iPhone/iPad, then let go.
- On the computer, your device is connected to, locate your device on Finder or iTunes.
- You will see an option to Restore or Update. Choose Restore
- Please wait for the procedure to complete, disconnect your iPhone/iPad from the computer, and set it up afresh.
The Screen Time passcode is useful because it protects app limits and parental-control settings, but forgetting it can block changes across your device or your child's device.
Fortunately, the post has also shown how to reset the Screen Time passcode. Of these methods, Mobitrix LockAway lets you reset the Screen Time passcode even without Apple ID credentials. Well, seeing is believing. Try Mobitrix LockAway today!
