Changing Screen Time Passcode: A Simple Guide

Forgot your Screen Time passcode? Or maybe you’re worried someone else knows it? You’re not alone—this happens to tons of iPhone users, and the good news is that how to change screen time passcode is actually straightforward once you know the steps. Whether you’re trying to update your parental controls, regain access to your own restrictions, or just want a fresh security layer, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do.

The thing about Screen Time is that Apple makes it pretty robust for security reasons. That’s great for protecting kids’ devices, but it can be frustrating when you’re the one locked out. The process differs slightly depending on whether you remember your current passcode or not, so we’ll cover both scenarios.

Quick Answer: Change Your Screen Time Passcode

If you know your current Screen Time passcode, changing it takes about 90 seconds:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap Screen Time
3. Select Change Screen Time Passcode
4. Enter your current passcode when prompted
5. Enter your new 4-digit passcode twice
6. Tap Change to confirm

Done. Your new passcode is active immediately. But if you’ve forgotten it or inherited a device with a locked Screen Time, keep reading—we’ve got solutions for that too.

If You Remember Your Current Passcode

This is the easiest path. Apple designed this process to be quick, which makes sense—you’re the owner, so why make it hard?

1. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and tap the Settings app (the gear icon)
2. Scroll down and tap Screen Time
3. You’ll see your Screen Time dashboard. Look for the option labeled Change Screen Time Passcode near the bottom of the screen
4. Tap it
5. Enter your current 4-digit passcode (the one you’re replacing)
6. Now enter your new passcode—make it something you’ll actually remember, but not something obvious like your birthday or “1234”
7. Re-enter the new passcode to confirm
8. Tap Change

That’s legitimately it. Apple keeps this simple because they assume you have access to your own device. The whole thing takes less than two minutes.

Pro Tip: Write your new passcode down somewhere secure—not on a sticky note on your monitor, but maybe in a password manager like saved passwords on iPhone or a dedicated app. You don’t want to go through this again.

If You Forgot Your Screen Time Passcode

Here’s where things get trickier, but don’t panic. Apple built in a workaround specifically for this situation. The key is that you’ll need access to the Apple ID associated with the device.

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode
3. When prompted to enter your current passcode, look for the option that says Forgot Passcode? (or similar wording depending on your iOS version)
4. Tap it
5. You’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password
6. Once verified, you can set a brand new Screen Time passcode

This works because Apple ties Screen Time security to your account. Think of it like a master key—your Apple ID can unlock Screen Time settings even if you’ve forgotten the specific passcode.

Safety Warning: If you’re trying to change someone else’s Screen Time passcode without their permission, you’ll hit a wall here. Apple requires the Apple ID associated with that account, which is intentional. This is good security design—it prevents unauthorized access to parental controls or device restrictions.

Using Your Apple ID to Reset

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode and you don’t remember your Apple ID password, you’ll need to reset that first. Apple has a recovery process for this, but it requires proof that you own the account (usually via a recovery email or phone number).

Here’s the process:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security
2. Tap Change Password
3. Follow the prompts to verify your identity (you might need to enter your current password first, or use two-factor authentication)
4. Create a new Apple ID password
5. Once that’s done, go back to Screen Time and use the new Apple ID credentials to reset your Screen Time passcode

According to Apple’s official support documentation, this is the recommended path for account recovery. It’s secure and designed to prevent unauthorized access.

If you’ve lost access to your recovery email and phone number, you’ll need to contact Apple Support directly. They can verify your identity through other means (like your device serial number or purchase information) and help you regain access.

Last Resort: Erasing Your Device

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t access your Screen Time settings, there’s a nuclear option: erasing your device and setting it up fresh. This will remove all data, so only do this if you have a backup.

• Back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer (via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows)
• Make sure you have your Apple ID and password handy—you’ll need them to set up the device again
• Give yourself 30 minutes for the entire process

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset
2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
3. You’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID password and confirm
4. The device will erase itself—this takes 5-15 minutes depending on how much data you have
5. When it restarts, you can restore from your backup or set it up as new

After setup is complete, your Screen Time passcode will be reset, and you can create a new one from scratch. If you want more details on this process, check out our guide on how to turn off iPhone 15, which covers the reset process in detail.

Real Talk: Erasing your device is the last resort because it’s time-consuming and you could lose data if your backup is outdated. But it works 100% of the time. If you’re selling or giving away a device, this is also the right move for privacy reasons.

How to Prevent Future Lockouts

Once you’ve got your new passcode set, let’s make sure you don’t end up back here. A few simple habits go a long way.

Avoid sequential numbers (1234, 5678) or personal dates (birthdays, anniversaries). Instead, try something like 7429 or 3861. It’s random enough to be secure but can still be memorable if you repeat it a few times.

If you’re worried about forgetting it, save it in a password manager. Most people use apps like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Apple’s built-in Keychain. The point is that your passcode is encrypted and backed up, so you can recover it if needed.

This adds an extra layer of security. Even if someone gets your Apple ID password, they can’t reset your Screen Time passcode without also having access to your trusted device. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security to set this up if you haven’t already.

This sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying. Don’t store it in a note on your phone. Use a physical notebook, a password manager, or even a safe if you’re serious about it.

Common Issues and Fixes

– First, make sure you’re entering the new passcode, not the old one. Wait 30 seconds after changing it to ensure the change has synced across your device. If you’re still stuck, restart your iPhone (see our guide on how to turn off iPhone 15) and try again.

– This usually means you don’t have Screen Time set up yet. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Turn On Screen Time. Then you’ll be able to set a passcode.

– Make sure your Apple ID password is correct. If you’re not sure, try resetting it first via Apple’s account recovery page. Also, check that you have an internet connection and that your device’s date and time are set correctly (go to Settings > General > Date & Time and toggle Set Automatically on).

– Yeah, this is awkward. You’ll need to use your Apple ID to reset it (the method we covered earlier). Your kid won’t be able to change it without your Apple ID credentials, so you’re still in control—you’ve just got to act fast.

– This can happen if someone else set it up remotely (like a parent or MDM administrator). You’ll need to contact whoever set it up or use the Apple ID recovery method if you have access to the associated account. If it’s a work device, reach out to your IT department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Screen Time passcode without the old one?

– Yes, but you’ll need your Apple ID credentials. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, and when prompted, select “Forgot Passcode?” You’ll then enter your Apple ID and password to verify your identity before setting a new passcode.

Is my Screen Time passcode the same as my iPhone passcode?

– No, they’re completely separate. Your iPhone passcode (or Face ID/Touch ID) unlocks your device, while your Screen Time passcode protects your usage limits and app restrictions. You can have different codes for each, and it’s actually recommended for security.

What if I share my device with family members?

– Only the account holder (the person with the associated Apple ID) can change the Screen Time passcode. If multiple people use the device, only one person should know the passcode to prevent conflicts. If you’re sharing a device with a partner, consider setting up Family Sharing instead, which allows multiple accounts on one device.

Can I use Face ID or Touch ID instead of a passcode for Screen Time?

– No. Apple requires a 4-digit numeric passcode for Screen Time specifically. This is intentional—it’s a security measure to prevent unauthorized changes to restrictions. However, your device itself can use Face ID or Touch ID, so you’re still protected at the device level.

How many times can I try my Screen Time passcode before it locks me out?

– Unlike your iPhone passcode, there’s no lockout after failed attempts. You can keep trying indefinitely. However, if you’ve forgotten it, you’re better off using the Apple ID recovery method than guessing randomly.

Will changing my Screen Time passcode affect my app limits or downtime settings?

– No. Changing the passcode doesn’t touch your actual Screen Time settings—it only changes the code needed to modify them. All your app limits, downtime schedules, and restrictions stay exactly the same.

What if I’m trying to bypass someone else’s Screen Time restrictions?

– You can’t, and that’s the point. Screen Time is designed to prevent unauthorized changes. If you’re a minor and your parents set it up, you’ll need to talk to them. If it’s a work device with MDM restrictions, contact your IT department. There’s no legitimate backdoor here.

Can I reset my Screen Time passcode remotely if I’m using Family Sharing?

– If you’re the family organizer, you can manage Screen Time for family members’ devices through the Family Sharing settings. However, you can’t remotely reset a forgotten passcode—the person with that device needs to do it using the Apple ID recovery method.