Content & Privacy Restrictions

My sons iPad 5 changes the passcode I set for Screen Time on Content & Privacy Restrictions by itself and now we cannot change options because we don’t know the passcode. I have reset and restored iPad 3 times now and it continues to reset passcode.

iPad mini 5 Wi-Fi

Posted on Jan 24, 2021 12:13 PM

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Posted on Jan 24, 2021 2:19 PM

Just to be absolutely clear, after setting-up your iPad as new, do not restore your backup.


If you restore your data from a backup, you will also restore the “unknown” ScreenTime Passcode.


9 replies

Jan 24, 2021 1:11 PM in response to FrustratedParents

If you have forgotten the ScreenTime passcode, one of the two procedures outlined within this link should resolve the problem:

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode - Apple Support


If your iPad is capable of supporting iPadOS 13.x or later, you should update to the most current version before attempting to resolve a forgotten ScreenTime passcode. The most recent iPadOS updates have introduced a new mechanism whereby a forgotten ScreenTime passcode can be reset without wiping the iPad.


To reset a forgotten ScreenTime passcode on older versions of iOS/iPadOS, the iPad must be reset “as new”, losing all locally stored data. In this situation, you’ll not be able to restore your data from an iCloud or iTunes backup - as the forgotten passcode is integral to the backup.


I hope this information is helpful to you in successfully resetting your forgotten passcode.

Jan 24, 2021 3:10 PM in response to FrustratedParents

I presume you’re aware of the available Parental Controls?

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support


As the the “design flaw”, Apple have addressed the issue in iPadOS13/14, such that a forgotten ScreenTime/Restrictions Passcode can be reset. Prior to this, the encrypted Restrictions Passcode was included within the device backup - and was always restored along with data from the backup.

Jan 24, 2021 1:15 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you but I have done a full recovery 2 times and did a full remove and set up as a new iPad and this happens over and over again. I am not forgetting the passcode the iPad resets it to an unknown passcode. There must be a defect and this is not even a year old iPad. I bought AppleCare+ so I feel like I am going to need to get a replacement.

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Content & Privacy Restrictions

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