Selling iPad - forgot screen time password & cannot reset

Question

Level 3

977 points

Selling iPad - forgot screen time password & cannot reset

Good evening,

I am selling my daughter's old iPad mini 5th generation that hasn't been used since early 2022. I have already disconnected it from his iCloud account, which on the iPad's end, is still connected somehow. In order to reset and wipe it, it needs the screen time passcode.

The problem is, the screen time passcode is not the one we use today. It's from 2022 and running iPad OS 14.8. I am updating it to 18.5 as I speak, but I've tried all of the possible passcodes (including after it registered that it is now July 2, 2025, and not March 14, 2022, the current-day passcode). I need to be able to reset it and I cannot figure out the passcode.

Is there a way to bypass the passcode or simply reset the passcode?

Help appreciated.

mdp1101

iPad mini (5th generation)

Posted on Jul 2, 2025 5:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

MrHoffman

Level 10

156,685 points

Jul 2, 2025 5:28 PM in response to mdp1101

Reply

Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

156,685 points

Jul 2, 2025 6:00 PM in response to mdp1101

Here is the usual sequence:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

You will probably have issues with the reset though, as the iPad has already released from the account.

I’d then expect you will need to use a Mac or PC to reset it, as described here:

If you forgot your iPad passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 2, 2025 6:10 PM in response to mdp1101

Click here ➡️ If you forgot your iPhone passcode or your iPhone is disabled - Apple Support

You’ll need a computer, but the screen time passcode is not required.

Reply

Answer 4

Jul 2, 2025 5:43 PM in response to mdp1101

The link posted by MrHoffman, How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Does not require the Screen Time passcode.

Reply

Answer 5

mdp1101 Author

Level 3

977 points

Jul 2, 2025 5:41 PM in response to MrHoffman

I know how to reset the iPad, it's just that I cannot. I tried to reset the Screen Time password and I entered both my daughter's as well as my own Apple ID into it and both times it stalled and said it couldn't connect to the server. And now it can't find updates and "pauses" whenever I finally do get it to request an update.

Reply

Answer 6

mdp1101 Author

Level 3

977 points

Jul 2, 2025 5:49 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

It follows the exact same procedure. I go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, it prompts me for the device passcode and then the Screen Time passcode. As a reminder, it is still using iPad OS 14.8

Reply

Answer 7

Jul 2, 2025 6:22 PM in response to mdp1101

mdp1101 wrote:

It follows the exact same procedure. I go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, it prompts me for the device passcode and then the Screen Time passcode. As a reminder, it is still using iPad OS 14.8

There are actually 2 procedures in that link; one you have been using and a different one using a computer.

Reply

Answer 8

mdp1101 Author

Level 3

977 points

Jul 2, 2025 6:11 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thank you--I am now updating its software and then I'll restore it with my MacBook. This is a bit of a learning curve for me because I don't think I've done something like this since iTunes.

Reply

Selling iPad - forgot screen time password & cannot reset

Similar questions