How To Reset Screen Time Passcode

If you’ve forgotten your Screen Time passcode, learn how to reset it for either yourself or a member of your Family Sharing group.

Follow the steps below to change the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How to reset the Screen Time passcode for your personal device

On your iPhone or iPad

1. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
3. Tap Forgot Passcode?                                   
4. Enter the Apple ID and password that you used to set up the Screen Time passcode.
5. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then enter it again to confirm.

On your Mac

1. Ensure that your Mac is updated to macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
2. Select Apple menu  > System Settings or System Preferences, then click Screen Time.
3. Click Change Passcode, then click Forgot Passcode.
4. Enter the Apple ID and passwordthat you used to set up the Screen Time passcode.
5. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then enter it again to confirm.

If you have Share Across Devices turned on, your new Screen Time passcode will automatically update on those devices after you reset it.

How to reset the Screen Time passcode for your child’s device

To reset the Screen Time passcode for your child’s device when utilizing Family Sharing, the family organizer must initiate the passcode reset on their own device.

On an iPhone or iPad

1. On the family organizer’s device, navigate to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Scroll down and select a child’s name under Family.
3. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again. Then authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
4. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then enter it again to confirm.

On a Mac

1. Ensure sure that your Mac is updated to macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
2. Select Apple menu  > System Settings or System Preferences, then click Screen Time.
3. Select a child’s name from the pop-up menu.
4. Click Change Passcode, then click Forgot Passcode.
5. Enter the Apple ID and passwordthat you used to set up the Screen Time passcode.
6. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then enter it again to confirm.

If you have Share Across Devices turned on, your new Screen Time passcode will automatically update on those devices after you reset it.

If you can’t reset your Screen Time passcode, ensure that you’re using the same Apple ID that you used when setting up the Screen Time passcode. This might be a different Apple ID than the one that you’re signed in to on your device. If you’re part of a Family Sharing group, it might be a family member’s Apple ID or your child’s Apple ID.