HT201304: Use Restrictions on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Learn about Use Restrictions on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Chelynne

Q: I can't remember my restriction password. What shall I do??

What to do in order to retrieve the restriction password that has been forgotten??

iPhone 4, iOS 5

Posted on Nov 17, 2012 9:39 AM

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Q: I can't remember my restriction password. What shall I do??

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  • Helpful answers

  • by wjosten,

    wjosten wjosten Nov 17, 2012 9:40 AM in response to Chelynne
    Level 10 (94,603 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 17, 2012 9:40 AM in response to Chelynne

    Restore as a new device in iTunes. Restoring from backup will merely restore the restrictions passcode.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 17, 2012 9:41 AM in response to Chelynne
    Level 10 (270,309 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 17, 2012 9:41 AM in response to Chelynne

    If You Are Locked Out Or Have Forgotten Your Passcode

     

    iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad

    iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen

    iOS- Understanding passcodes

     

    A Complete Guide to Recover Your iDevice if You Forget Your Passcode

     

    If you cannot remember the passcode, you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and resync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.

     

    Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.

    Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.

    Follow these steps to restore your device:

         1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.

         2. Connect your device to your computer.

         3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.

         4. Select the Summary tab.

         5. Select the Restore option.

         6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the Back Up

             option (see in the image below). If you have just backed up the device, it is not

             necessary to create another.

         7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,

             you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).

         8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple

             logo while starting up:

               After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating

              to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of

              iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or

              you see "iPhone is activated."

     

         9. The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup.

     

    If you can not restore your device then you will need to go to recovery mode.

     

    Placing your device into recovery mode:

     

    Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.

         1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but leave the other end

             of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.

         2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until the

             red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.

     

              If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the Sleep/Wake

              and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off, release the Sleep/Wake

              and Home buttons.

     

         3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the device.

             The device should turn on. Note: If you see the screen pictured below, let the device

             charge for at least ten minutes to ensure that the battery has some charge, and then

             start with step 2 again.

         4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.

             When this screen appears you can release the Home button.

         5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:

         6. Use iTunes to restore the device.

     

    If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links.

    Additional Information:

    Note: When using recovery mode, you can only restore the device. All user content on the device will be erased, but if you had previously synced with iTunes on this computer, you can restore from a previous backup. See this article for more information.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Nov 17, 2012 9:42 AM in response to Chelynne
    Level 6 (19,319 points)
    iPad
    Nov 17, 2012 9:42 AM in response to Chelynne

    1. Restore phone AS NEW in iTunes (don't use the backup_

     

    OR

     

    2. Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Data & Settings > Set up as new without using any backup.

  • by wjosten,

    wjosten wjosten Nov 17, 2012 9:44 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 10 (94,603 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 17, 2012 9:44 AM in response to Kappy

    It's the RESTRICTIONS passcode, NOT phone passcode.

  • by wjosten,

    wjosten wjosten Nov 17, 2012 9:45 AM in response to Chelynne
    Level 10 (94,603 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 17, 2012 9:45 AM in response to Chelynne

    Follow my instructions:

     

    Restore as a new device in iTunes. Restoring from backup will merely restore the restrictions passcode.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Nov 17, 2012 9:58 AM in response to wjosten
    Level 6 (19,319 points)
    iPad
    Nov 17, 2012 9:58 AM in response to wjosten

    Erasing all content and setting up as new without a backup also works if no computer is available.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 17, 2012 10:06 AM in response to wjosten
    Level 10 (270,309 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 17, 2012 10:06 AM in response to wjosten

    Instead of just telling him "what" to do you might also tell him "how" to do it, which is what my post was all about. Whether passcode or restrictions code you have to restore the device the same way.

  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 Nov 17, 2012 10:12 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 6 (19,319 points)
    iPad
    Nov 17, 2012 10:12 AM in response to Kappy

    Except that your detailed instructions include step #9 - restoring the backup which completely negates the process and leaves the restriction passcode intact.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 17, 2012 10:36 AM in response to modular747
    Level 10 (270,309 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 17, 2012 10:36 AM in response to modular747

    Right you are, and thank you for pointing that out. I had a correction inserted but posted the earlier version. I will correct that ASAP.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Nov 17, 2012 10:38 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 9 (57,254 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 17, 2012 10:38 AM in response to Kappy

    Not to try and be a pain, but that is why I mentioned it to you yesterday with a similar post. It contained language that said you could restore from backup, which was not correct. Glad it was straightened out.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Nov 17, 2012 10:47 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 10 (270,309 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 17, 2012 10:47 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Fortunately, modular pointed out the exact problem. I've removed the previous instructions and replaced with a correction. In fact I moved the correction up to the top before the restore steps so the user will be alerted before starting (and I made it in bold so it will draw the users' attention immediately.

     

    I apologize for the issue, but now it's corrected, hopefully. Again, I appreciate that the precise problem was pointed out. Much more helpful.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Nov 17, 2012 10:58 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 9 (57,254 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 17, 2012 10:58 AM in response to Kappy

    Good deal. Pleasure to work with you.

  • by Bestdoggiemac,

    Bestdoggiemac Bestdoggiemac Jan 6, 2016 1:40 PM in response to modular747
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2016 1:40 PM in response to modular747

    YYou need to restrictions password to reset