With Screen Time, you can monitor your device usage and also block access to certain features and apps to get rid of smartphone addiction. For added security, you can even create a password to prevent anyone from making changes to your customized settings without your consent. What if you forgot your Screen Time passcode? Don’t worry, there are some reliable ways to recover Screen Time passcode on iPhone, iPad and Mac without losing any data. That said, let’s find out how Screen Time password recovery works!
How to Restore Screen Time Password on iOS, iPadOS, macOS
To allow users to reset Screen Time password on iOS and macOS without losing any data, Apple has rolled out a highly efficient Screen Time password recovery tool that requires iOS 13.4/ipados 13.4 and macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later. However, there are ways to recover forgotten Screen Time passcode even for those who don’t have the required iOS/iPadOS versions. Here’s a look at them all.
Recover Screen Time Password on iPhone, iPad
First, we’ll try Apple’s Screen Time Password Recovery tool because it’s more efficient and makes the task painless. Of course, it also keeps all your data safe. As mentioned above, make sure your device is running iOS 13.4/iPadOS 13.4 or later. Another thing to note is that Apple’s Screen Time password recovery tool is integrated with Apple ID. This means you will need to authenticate using your Apple ID and password before resetting the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Now select Screen Time.
- Next, tap on Change Screen Time Password. You will need to select the Change Screen Time Password option again to continue.
- Now select Forgot Password.
- Next, enter your Apple ID and password used to set up Screen Time on your device.
- Finally, enter and verify a new Screen Time passcode.
Recover Screen Time Password on Mac
Recovering Screen Time password on macOS is also simple. Again, you will need to authenticate using your Apple ID and password to restore the Screen Time passcode. Also, make sure your device is running macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
- Click on the Apple Menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
- Now, click on Screen Time.
- Then select Change Password.
- Following that, click on Forgot Password.
- Next, you’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password used to set the Screen Time passcode on your Mac.
- Once done, enter and confirm a new Screen Time passcode.
if any Share Across Devices Once the feature is enabled, the new Screen Time passcode will be automatically updated on all connected devices with the same Apple ID. This means you won’t have to reset the password on all devices.
Recover Screen Time Password for Kids on iPhone, Mac
The process for restoring a Screen Time Passcode for a child’s iPhone and iPad is slightly different. Note that if you are using Family Sharing to manage your child’s account, the password reset option will not appear on their device. You must use the family organizer’s device to reset your child’s Screen Time passcode.
On the family organizer’s device, navigate to: Settings app -> Screen Time. After that, scroll down and select the child’s name located under Family. Next, tap on Change Screen Time Passcode and select the option again. You may need to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device password. Next, enter a new Screen Time passcode and confirm it by entering it again.
On Mac, the same can be done by selecting the child’s name from the drop-down menu in the left sidebar (under System Preferences) and following the steps outlined in the section above.
Other Ways to Recover Screen Time Password
Even if your iPhone/iPad is not running iOS 13.4/iPadOS 13.4 or later, there is no need to panic. You can still recover your Screen Time Passcode.
Restore iPhone or iPad from an Encrypted Backup Using Finder/iTunes
You can reset the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone or iPad by restoring it from an encrypted backup. Note that it will delete all existing data on your device. So, make sure to back up your iPhone beforehand. Also, turn off Find My iPhone/iPad by going to . Settings app -> Profile -> Profile -> Find Me.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer and launch Finder (macOS Catalina or later)/iTunes.
- Now select your device. After that, click Restore iPhone/iPad.
- A pop-up will appear asking if you want to back up your device before starting the restore. Select Backup if you haven’t already. Otherwise, go with the Backup option.
- Once the firmware update is complete, you can: select preferred backup to restore your device. Be sure to select the encrypted backup you made before you forget your screen time passcode.
Erase All Content and Settings
While erasing all content and settings is not an ideal solution, it works reliably by allowing you to reset the Screen Time passcode. But be warned that it will delete all available data including photos, videos, music, messages, notes and more. Also note that you cannot restore your backup as it will contain the password.
- Don’t forget to back up your device via iTunes/Finder or iCloud (Settings app -> Profile -> iCloud -> iCloud Backup) to keep your personal data safe.
- After backing up your device, go to Settings app -> General -> Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. After your device is wiped, follow the setup assistant to set up your device.
Use Third-Party Tools to Recover Screen Time Password
There are several third-party tools that can help you recover your Screen Time password. So, if your device is not running the latest versions of iOS/macOS and you don’t want to go through the tedious ways of resetting Screen Time password, iPhone Backup Extractor (Offers free, in-app purchases) and Tenoshare 4uKey (Offers free, in-app purchases).
We will consider iPhone Backup Extractor. It simplifies the process.
- Just connect your device to your computer and open the software. After that, select your device from the sidebar.
- Now, click Vehicles Go to the tab and select Screen Time. After that, you will be asked to disable Find My iPhone/iPad (Settings > Profile > iCloud > Find My) if it is enabled on your device. Now, click To save To get the Screen Time passcode
Recover Screen Time Password Safely on iPhone, iPad, Mac
This much! So, these are the appropriate ways to restore Screen Time passcode on iPhone, iPad and Mac. If your device supports iOS 13/macOS Catalina, you can easily get the password. In case your device is not compatible with Apple’s Screen Time Password Recovery tool, take advantage of encrypted backup to restore the password. You can also take the help of third-party tools to retrieve the password.
I hope you found this guide useful. Do you have any questions or feedback you want to share with us? If your answer is yes, feel free to shoot in the comments section below.
