My son has recently discovered that he can reset his apple id password from his iPad with no further verification steps (no email confirmation, no text confirmation, not even typing in the old password). This makes the whole of Screen Time a complete chocolate teapot (i.e. useless), presumably this makes any and all safety measure on the device moot? Is this correct or is there someway to stop this happening?
iPad, iPadOS 17
When setting the ScreenTime passcode, you can optionally associate the ScreenTime passcode with an AppleID account. Choose an AppleID that is not the child's AppleID (e.g., you own AppleID - the password for which should be known only to you).
Alternatively, when setting the ScreenTime Passcode, you can skip associating the ScreenTime Passcode with an AppleID altogether. This will prevent reset of an unknown ScreenTime Passcode - but consider that a subsequently forgotten ScreenTime Passcode will entail complete reset of the iPad and starting again afresh; in this situation you will not be able to restore data from an iCloud or iTunes backup - as to do so you would also restore the unknown ScreenTime Passcode.
When setting the ScreenTime passcode, you can optionally associate the ScreenTime passcode with an AppleID account. Choose an AppleID that is not the child's AppleID (e.g., you own AppleID - the password for which should be known only to you).
Alternatively, when setting the ScreenTime Passcode, you can skip associating the ScreenTime Passcode with an AppleID altogether. This will prevent reset of an unknown ScreenTime Passcode - but consider that a subsequently forgotten ScreenTime Passcode will entail complete reset of the iPad and starting again afresh; in this situation you will not be able to restore data from an iCloud or iTunes backup - as to do so you would also restore the unknown ScreenTime Passcode.
Thanks for the reply a couple of good suggestions but not ideal for me. I don't have another AppleID this is the only account in the household and it wouldn't be the first time the passcode has been forgotten (though when I say forgotten this might be more that he worked out a way to change it previously and I've had to reset it, obviously he wont admit to that or has forgotten what he changed it too himself). I will have to go back to physically hiding the device at night.
Outside of Educational or Business environments, an iPad is essentially a single-user device. Sharing an iPad between users is fraught with issues concerning privacy and security.
In the circumstances, I suggest that you begin by completely removing the current ScreenTime Passcode:
Settings > ScreenTime > Change ScreenTime Passcode > Turn Off ScreenTime Passcode
Having turned-off the Passcode, you can now create a new ScreenTime Passcode known only to you. Write this down someplace safe - that your child won't be looking or otherwise discover (consider disguising the recorded Passcode, perhaps as an element of a phone number or address):
Settings > ScreenTime > Lock ScreenTime Settings - set the new Passcode
When prompted to set ScreenTime Passcode Recovery, tap Cancel - and then Skip.
You have now set a new ScreenTime Passcode, known only to you. There is now no way to bypass, reset or recover a forgotten ScreenTime Passcode on this device - and this is why you have safely recorded the Passcode elsewhere.
Should you need to change any ScreenTime settings, you will need this Passcode. If making changes, ensure changes are made out-of-sight of your child.
Never underestimate the resourcefulness and cunning of a child in discovering Passcodes. 🙂
Prevent child disabling screen time by changing password
