4 Proven Ways to Reset a Forgotten Screen Time Passcode

Nowadays, almost everyone has a smartphone and finds themselves checking the screen constantly. To help users manage their digital health, Apple introduced Screen Time, a feature that adds restrictions to apps and internet usage. However, if you forgot the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone or iPad, it can be a major headache.

With the latest iOS 17/18 and iOS 26 updates, the methods for recovery have become more streamlined. This article discusses exactly what you should do to regain control of your device without stress.

Method 1: The Official Way - Reset via Apple ID (No Data Loss)

One good news is that Apple does not specify the maximum number of attempts if you forgot your iPhone or iPad screen time passcode. After 7 unsuccessful attempts, your screen will be locked for 5 minutes. You will be locked out for 15 minutes or one hour after 8 or 9 failures. So, you can try the possible passcode until you find the right one.

If you still fail, just follow the steps below to fix it.

If you are running iOS 13.4 or later, Apple allows you to reset your passcode using your Apple ID credentials. This is the safest official method as it preserves all your photos and settings.

Reset on iPhone/iPad (iOS 13.4 & Later)

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

2. Scroll down and tap Change Screen Time Passcode.

3. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode (or Turn Off Screen Time Passcode) again.

4. Select the Forgot Passcode? link above the numeric keypad.

5. Enter the Apple ID and password you used to set up Screen Time. (Forgot Apple ID?)

6. Enter a new Screen Time passcode and confirm it.

Reset for Your Child's Device (Family Sharing)

If you are the Family Organizer and your child forgot their Screen Time passcode, you can reset it from your own device:

1. On the Organizer's iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time.

2. Scroll down to the Family section and tap your child’s name.

3. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap it again.

4. Authenticate using your Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode.

5. Enter a new Screen Time passcode for your child.

Method 2: The Best Alternative - AnyMP4 iPhone Unlocker (No Apple ID Required)

What if you forgot your Screen Time passcode and your Apple ID password? In such cases, official methods will fail. This is where AnyMP4 iPhone Unlocker becomes essential. It is a professional-grade tool designed to remove Screen Time restrictions in minutes without requiring an Apple ID or causing data loss.

Steps to Remove Screen Time Passcode:

1. Launch the Software

I started by opening the software on my PC. The interface is very intuitive; I immediately clicked on the Screen Time module. It’s designed specifically to bypass these restrictions without wiping your device.

2. Connect the iPhone to My Computer

I used a high-quality USB-C to Lightning cable to connect my iPhone to the computer.

A quick tip from my experience: make sure to tap "Trust" on your iPhone screen if a prompt appears, otherwise the software won't be able to communicate with the device.

3. Select the Specific Screen Time Setup

This is a crucial step I noticed. The software gave me two distinct options:

• • Left Panel: I chose this because I had configured the Screen Time lock directly on my own device.
• • Right Panel: If you are trying to remove a lock established remotely by parents via Family Sharing, you should select this side.

4. Click 'Start Now' to Begin

Once my device was recognized and I selected the correct scenario, I clicked the Start Now button. At this point, the software did a quick scan to prepare for the removal process.

5. Disable 'Find My iPhone' (Security Check)

Before proceeding, I had to hop into my iPhone settings to toggle off Find My iPhone. This is a standard security requirement for any unlocking tool. I also confirmed that two-factor authentication (2FA) was active on my account. After checking these boxes, I clicked Unlock to initiate the final removal.

6. Wait for the Unlock to Finish

The program then began its "magic." A progress bar appeared showing the Screen Time Unlocking Underway. I made sure not to touch the USB cable during these few minutes. Within a short wait, a "Success" message popped up, and my iPhone rebooted—completely free of the old Screen Time passcode!

Method 3: Reset via iTunes/Finder (Recovery Mode)

If your iPhone is also locked out due to a forgotten Screen Time code and you don't mind a factory reset, you can use iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Preparation is Key: This method will erase all data on your iPhone. Proceed only if you have a recent backup.

First, make sure your iTunes was updated to the latest version. Then connect your iPhone to the PC, and even though you couldn't remember the Screen Time code, try to run a quick local backup just in case.

1. Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

This was the trickiest part. For my iPhone 15, I had to:

Quickly press and release Volume Up.

Quickly press and release Volume Down.

Hold the Side Button and not let go even when the Apple logo appeared. I kept holding until the "Connect to Computer" (Recovery Mode) screen showed up.

2. The Finder/iTunes Pop-up

As soon as I entered Recovery Mode, a window automatically popped up on my computer screen. It gave me two choices: Update or Restore.

3. Executing the Restore

Click Restore. Your computer then started downloading the latest iOS firmware.

4. Setting Up as New

Once the restore was finished, the iPhone rebooted to the "Hello" screen. I choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data" to ensure the old Screen Time passcode wasn't brought back from an old backup.

Method 4: Reset Screen Time Passcode on Mac (System Settings)

If you have enabled "Share Across Devices," you can reset the passcode from your Mac running macOS Catalina or later.

1. Accessing System Settings

Click the Apple Menu () in the top-left corner and open System Settings.

2. Locating Screen Time

In the left-hand sidebar, scroll down to Screen Time. You will notice that all your usage data from your iPhone was already synced here.

3. The Reset Trigger

Click on Change Passcode.... A numeric keypad appeared asking for the old code.

Just like on the iPhone, click the small Forgot Passcode? link at the bottom.

4. Verification

The Mac prompted you to enter your Apple ID password (not the Mac login password). After a second of verification, it allowed me to set a brand-new 4-digit code.

5. Syncing Back

Almost instantly, the new passcode was active on your iPhone as well. It’s a great hack if you find the iPhone's UI frustrating.

Conclusion

Forgetting your Screen Time passcode is a common issue, but it's easily solvable. For most, the Apple ID reset is the first thing to try. However, for a faster, "no-strings-attached" solution—especially if you've forgotten your Apple ID—AnyMP4 iPhone Unlocker is the most reliable tool to get the job done without data loss.