How to reset forgotten Restrictions password with iPhone restore?

Hi,

I set restrictions on my iphone to disable in-app purchases so that my children don't rack up a bill on my account. Unfortunately I've forgotten the password and now I need an in-app purchase for CoPilot navigation app.

Can I reset my iPhone and then restore from a backup to clear the restrictions password? If so, is there a step by step guide to do this? Much appreciate any help.

Boz

iPhone 3GS, iOS 4, Windows 7 (rocks)

Posted on Nov 30, 2010 9:49 AM

Reply
316 replies

Dec 4, 2011 2:47 PM in response to jjkboswell

Hello, I'm sure, that I know my code, but it didn't work!

⚠ It seems that the iPad will not accept the defined code anymore!!! ⚠


I've tried the way like in the posts posted before, but I can also not find any code after a letter T or anywhere else. I've an iPad 2 with iOS 5.0.1. Please, I don't want to reset my iPad back because of all my data.

Is there any other way to change or reset or get the code? Thanx a lot for your help, be blessed!

Dec 7, 2011 5:03 PM in response to jcalan

Has anyone figured out where the code it if it isn't shown using the extractor? I am having the same issues....


key>SBParentalControlsBlockTimeIntervalSinceReferenceDate</key>

<real>342460839.914523</real>

<key>calendaralert-sound-identifier</key>

<string>&lt;none&gt;</string>

<key>SBParentalControlsFailedAttempts</key>

<integer>11</integer>

<key>SBParentalControlsMCContentRestrictions</key>

<dict>

<key>countryCode</key>

<string>us</string>


no sign anywhere of a pin...

Dec 10, 2011 4:48 AM in response to markj72

I'm in the same boat as others are. I'm almost 100% certain that I never changed my passcode, yet it won't accept it--and this happened after the latest iOS 5 upgrade. I had turned on restrictions to prevent any apps from doing an unauthorized in-app purchase... you know, the kind where you indavertently tap on something in an app and suddenly are getting charged.


Unfortunately, with iOS 5, there is no SBParentalControlsPIN in the springboard. Where is the code kept now?


Again, as others have indicated, I'm using my own iPhone, but the darn passcode no longer works!


The idea of having to restore this as a new iPhone and then re-download everything--and lose key items-- is ridiculous! (One can't do a Backup because that brings back the hidden passcode). Doing a full restore as new will lead to loss of folders, ebooks, pref settings (and we've tailored dozens of apps; plus many are complicated-- latitutde and longitude by decimal or degrees), and, worst of all, ebook and dictionary bookmarks.


I agree with the suggestion that there should be other, easier ways of iPhone owners recoving their passcodes-- e.g., via sending an e-mail from your official e-mail address and getting it in return. I'm sure there's a way of doing this to prevent the kids hacking parental controls-- but sparing all legitimate owners, parents and non-parents, these incredible hassles.


In fact, why not have a system where owner can *optionally* choose to set restrictions that aren't passcode related?

Dec 10, 2011 11:39 AM in response to AstroMacMan

hello, I'm a little bit confused about this forum. Isn't that the apple discussion forum? Why there is no one from apple here to give us an answer? Why is it possible, that the choosed passcode will be no longer accepted? Is there maybe a solution in a comming iOS 5.0.2 or 5.1? This is an fatal bug. I can't use my ipad anymore. Like others in this forum i'm not ready to reset it, because of all the pref settings and ebooks and and and....


Please apple, we need a solution as soon as possible.


Thanks.

Dec 10, 2011 2:39 PM in response to jcalan

It's time for us all to give Apple direct feedback on this.


This is the main feedback page. From there, you can go to iPhone, iPad, etc.


Here's the iPhone link.


http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html


In fact, I would recommend giving them the link to this thread as well so that they can read what the issues are and how frustrated so many of us are about this. Here's the link to our thread.


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2667637?start=0&tstart=0


I'll make my personal pitch that we all suggest that they give us an option to enable/disable those restrictions w/o a passcode.

Dec 10, 2011 2:48 PM in response to jjkboswell

Just as an update. I took my iPhone to the apple store today and spoke with one of the geniuses. They confirmed there is no way to recover your password and if you try someone install a previous version of the iOS software' as some websites say it is possible to do, you lose your data anyway. I think the only thing is that maybe you saved an old backup of your phone pre ios5 (I of course don't have one) and try using the software to see if the pass code is in that version.


They said I had to start over. That's what I'm doing now. Pain in the backside!!

Dec 11, 2011 5:36 AM in response to jeff94

I've solved this, but through a very convoluted process. I happen to have two iPhone 4s that I'm testing... will probably only keep one. But they were in identical states a few weeks ago, before one of them lost its passcode. I'm now bringing the 2nd one into line with the 1st (a nuisance to some extent-- copying over photos, doing some DiskAid transfer of ebook and other apps' document folders, synching calendards).


In any event, once I get the 2nd one (where the old passcode still works), I'll back it up and then restore the first one using the 2nd's backup.


But this is a rare situation to be in-- two iPhones with very similar set ups.


So, please everyone, contact Apple and suggest they fix this with a secure passcode recovery system-- and, as I keep pushing, an option as well to set specific restrictions without a passcode.

Dec 15, 2011 9:42 AM in response to saggysax

Hello, here's the info from apple about where they store the pin now. I don't know what this means but I thought that someone with more technical skills could figure out how to get into the keychain. My device has ALWAYS had iOS 5 so I cannot use older backup. PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S A WAAAYYYY!! lol thanks.



Available for: iOS 3.0 through 4.3.5 for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, iOS 3.1 through 4.3.5 for iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iOS 3.2 through 4.3.5 for iPad


Impact: An attacker with physical access to a device may be able to recover the restrictions passcode


Description: The parental restrictions functionality enforces UI restrictions. Configuring parental restrictions is protected by a passcode, which was previously stored in plaintext on disk. This issue is addressed by securely storing the parental restrictions passcode in the system keychain.

Dec 30, 2011 4:55 AM in response to jjkboswell

I'm having the same issue.


I set the passcode quite some time ago when I was fiddling with security (I was paranoid and thought I was being charged by iTunes without doing anything). I've since forgotten the passcode and have 11 failed attempts, resulting a 60 minute ban on attempts each time. I don't have the time nor do I currently have the mental capacity to find this god forsaken arrangement of numbers.


This shouldn't be so difficult. Forgotten passcode? Fine! Contact Apple, have them verify your identity by other means (or whatever they need to do to make sure the passcode system retains integrity) and VOILA


I've downloaded all the programs mentioned in this thread. I've looked at the correct files and there is no trace of the PIN.


Where can I locate it? It is a huge inconvenience to have to completely wipe my phone and set it at as a new device. I'm a freelancer and alot of my livelihood sits in the curcuitry of this little rectangle. While that is not clever or ideal, that is currently the case and I do not have the time or resources to simply 'start again'.


I'm a big Apple fan - wouldn't normally hear a bad word about them but this is really not my cup of tea.


If it is no longer in under Library>Prefs and 'springboard' - WHERE is it?

Jan 4, 2012 9:34 PM in response to jjkboswell

Hi all,

I have had problems trying to bypass parental controls (on MY ipad2) that I NEVER set since brandnew.

As far as I can see it was somehow set when updated to ios 4.3.5 as prior to this I never had a problem but still had never set the password myself.

I have since updated to 5.0.1 thinking that it might sort it the problem but to no avail.


I have followed MARCIN2011's instructions but with the exception of selecting the 4.3.5 file in the iphone backup extractor, followed the path to find a 4 digit number following a T.

Tried the number and it worked. Problem solved.


The password was 2323 and was not one that I would have ever dreamed of or used.


Thank you to every one (especially MARCIN2011) that has contributed to this post, you wealth of collective knowledge is astounding.

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How to reset forgotten Restrictions password with iPhone restore?

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