Screen Time Passcode Not Recognized

Question

Screen Time Passcode Not Recognized

I type in the correct passcode into my iPhone 6 (IOS 12.0) to change my daughter's Screen Time settings (I've verified it's correct two different ways including pin finder) but Screen Time rejects the passcode as incorrect. Apple support recommends resetting to factory settings and then restoring to backup but Google search indicates that restoring from back up won't work. I have not seen this specific issue elsewhere and wonder if others have faced it. Very frustrating to say the least!

iPhone 6, 12

Posted on Feb 7, 2019 6:25 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 8, 2019 5:22 AM in response to panchososa694

Solved the problem. Here's how:

Updated from IOS 12 to 12.1.4
Used my ninth attempt at the passcode unsuccessfully trying to open the "content & privacy restrictions" section of Screen Time. Got the wait 60 minutes to try again message.
Again tried the "Change Screen Time Passcode." For the first time using this option, I was asked for TouchID which brought me to a screen asking for new passcode. I entered and confirmed and Voila, problem solved.
DId not have to erase the device and set up as new - fortunately
Neither of the Apple Tech Support folks suggested that this was a specific solution (although they did of course suggest updating to 12.1.4).

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 7, 2019 6:47 PM in response to ckuan

Unfortunately that is correct. No way to reset without restoring as new. Don't understand how/why the phone stopped recognizing the passcode.

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 8, 2019 2:25 AM in response to boomer_in_clear_lake

If you've forgotten the screen time passcode, you'll need to erase the device and set it up as new as per

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

Reply

Answer 4

ckuan

Level 10

120,932 points

Feb 7, 2019 6:32 PM in response to boomer_in_clear_lake

You can restore from iPhone backup only if the backup was created before Screen Time is activated,

otherwise you can only restore as new without the backup.

Reply

Answer 5

Feb 7, 2019 8:02 PM in response to KiltedTim

Thank you - no reason to doubt you but it was odd that PinFinder returned the unique Passcode (only time I had used this number combination). I had used so it seemed to have found something but clearly is not the right one.

Reply