It is impossible to reset screen time passcode

I have done a hard factory reset of my iphone,

Once I turn on screen time again, it remembers my old screen time passcode.

There is no option anywhere in iOS to delete the screen time passcode. Because if you go to turn off screen time, it asks for your passcode, which I do not remember.

Note the passcode to unlock the phone is a different code than the screen time passcode. I remember the passcode to unlock the phone but not the screen time passcode.


In the current version of iOS it is completely impossible to remove the screen time passcode.

Additionally in Catalina, screen time has taken over my other devices, and I am unable to reset it there either.

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.12

Posted on Jan 16, 2020 10:00 AM

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9 replies

Jan 16, 2020 10:19 AM in response to jmedran

You are correct, you cannot reset the Screen Time passcode. All you can do is restore the iPhone to factory and set it up as new, not using a backup. The Screen Time passcode is part of the backup and will come right back. Follow these instructions to restore the device to factory. Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support


You can see this support document with other information about Screen Time. Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


If you can't remember a restrictions passcode that you created on a previous version of iOS, or you forgot your Screen Time passcode, you need to erase your device, then set it up as new to remove the passcode. Restoring your device won't remove your old passcode.

Jan 16, 2020 10:40 AM in response to jmedran

This sounds like you may be using Keychain and that is moving the passcode back to the device since you mention the Mac. If you go to Settings>Passwords & Accounts on the iPhone, and you go to AutoFill Passwords, is that on? Is Keychain marked? You may need to turn that off. I don't see anything regarding the Mac in there, but I'm just starting to read this one, Use Screen Time on your Mac - Apple Support

Jan 16, 2020 10:58 AM in response to jmedran

Don't start a new iTunes account (Apple ID). Everything that you currently have purchased, downloaded, etc. is all tied to your current account. Did you read the information in the Mac link I provided? That says that as an administrator on the Mac you can reset it, unless you set up the restrictions in the administrator account. Are you in a family plan and was this setup by the Family Organizer? Otherwise, you may want to post in the Mac Catalina forum with the question about Screen Time following the devices.

Jan 16, 2020 10:51 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Yes Autofill passwords is on.

I have just done another factory reset.

I set up the phone as new.

I checked 'don't transfer files and data'

Right now screen time is not on on the phone, but it is still on on my laptop, and there is no way to take it off the laptop either. Because if I open screen time on the phone, it will turn it on again and ask for the passcode, I'm sure.

I suspect the only way to reset the screen time password for good, is to start a new itunes account.

Jan 16, 2020 2:49 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

What do you mean, require what change? I have to factory reset every apple product I own?

This is silly because I didn't know screen time would be married to my laptop from my phone, until I upgraded to Catalina, this problem did not exist. I used to be able to just reset my phone. Now it is stuck in a loop that is not possible to fix.

Jan 16, 2020 3:03 PM in response to jmedran

I mean that you shouldn't setup Screen Time on the Mac while in Administrator login. When I upgraded to Catalina, it prompted me about Screen Time. While I don't have it set up on any of my devices, you had to make a choice there. I'm not as familiar yet with the workings of the Mac computer, I'm still learning. If you need more assistance with that, do as I recommended and post in the Catalina forum, or contact Apple Support for assistance. I cannot recommend how to handle the issue of restrictions on the Mac.

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It is impossible to reset screen time passcode

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