Forgot restrictions passcode on iPhone or iPad

This is the link to use to erase the iPad via iTunes: If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

You cannot see OR edit your restrictions passcode. You MUST erase the device to remove it. And you cannot restore from a backup as the restrictions passcode IS contained in the backup. This would put you in a never ending cycle of disappointment.

While this link says for forgotten passcode, it is the same required action for forgotten Screen Time or Restrictions passcode. And this link is from Apple, not a 3rd party. If you called Apple, this is exactly what they would tell you to do.

You posed this question months ago, but never late than never, right? 🙂 I was in your position a few minutes ago, but after vigorous "research" I've found something a bit less radical than restoring your device back to factory settings. The first thing you would need to do is create a backup of your device if you haven't already. After doing so, you need to download a program called 'iBackupBot', it should be the first link on Google when you search the name. After setting up and opening the program, there should be a list in the top left hand corner. Double click on System Files > HomeDomain > Library > Preferences. On the right of the list you just clicked through, there should be a list of files. In the search bar, type com.apple.springboard.plist and double click on said file. A window may pop up asking you to buy the program, just click on 'Cancel' and the desired window should open. In the open window, select the find icon (the binoculars), search for <string>us</string> and under it, there should be a line of code that says </dict>. Click at the end of the code and press enter to open a new line where you are to type <key>SBParentalControlsPIN</key> then type <string>1234</string> on a new line below. When this is complete, save your code and close the window. Make sure that com.apple.springboard.plist is highlighted (if not, click on it once) then click the 'Restore' option. Your device will restart and the code you entered should work.

PS. Instead of '1234', you may enter any four digit code of your choice.

PSS. If your backup is password protected, you need to make a new backup without a password. The program will not allow you to restore with a password protected backup. (I learnt the hard way.)

PSSS. Need I mention that your device must be plugged into your computer?

Follow the instructions in iOS: How to back up your data and set up your device as a new device http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4137 to restore the device to factory settings.

Once you have setup the device as a new one, you can then sync it back with your iTunes account and all your music, apps, contacts and any other content sync'ed with iTunes will be loaded on the device. Any content that is stored only on the device and not sync'ed with iTunes, like app logins or data, will be lost during this process. Be forewarned that this is a long process and can take a couple of hours or more to complete. This can be painful, but it is necessarily so to prevent users from working around the security settings. After the restore is complete, you can setup a new Restrictions passcode. Make a note of the passcode to avoid this situation in future.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

The only option is to wipe the device clean and restore it to factory settings. Hope you have a backup.

Follow the instructions in iOS: How to back up your data and set up your device as a new device http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4137 to restore the device to factory settings.

Once you have setup the device as a new one, you can then sync it back with your iTunes account and all your music, apps, contacts and any other content sync'ed with iTunes will be loaded on the device. Any content that is stored only on the device and not sync'ed with iTunes, like app logins or data, will be lost during this process. Be forewarned that this is a long process and can take a couple of hours or more to complete. This can be painful, but it is necessarily so to prevent users from working around the security settings. After the restore is complete, you can setup a new Restrictions passcode. Make a note of the passcode to avoid this situation in future.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Follow the steps provided multiple times in the veery thread you replied to. Including the Apple Suggested post at the very top, and the post just above your own which has this blue text: link-> If you forgot your Screen Time passcode - Apple Support

bright218 wrote:

What is restrictions code of my iPhone

Nobody can possibly know your restrictions passcode except you or whoever set it. Follow the steps in the link in the Apple Recommended post in the very thread you replied to.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS then reset your passcode. If you can’t update your device, erase it and set it up as new to remove the passcode and choose a new one. Restoring your device from a backup won't remove your passcode.

Chelseaoneill123 wrote:

I have a iPhone 11 and I have a content & Privacy restrictions and I don’t know the password and I don’t have a laptop to fix it

You can either attempt to reset the Restrictions passcode as explained in the support document provided in the Apple recommended post at the top of every page of the very thread you replied to, which says this:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS then reset your passcode. If you can’t update your device, erase it and set it up as new to remove the passcode and choose a new one. Restoring your device from a backup won't remove your passcode.

That reset does not require a computer.

If that does not work, then you will need to either borrow a computer from someone, a friend or relative, or take the phone to an Apple Store and ask to use one their computers to restore the iPhone.

naeemrozario wrote:

I forgotten my restriction password please help me

From the Apple recommended post at the top of every page of the very thread you replied to, and numerous other posts in the 62 pages of thread: (bolded blue text are links to further instructions):

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS then reset your passcode. If you can’t update your device, erase it and set it up as new to remove the passcode and choose a new one. Restoring your device from a backup won't remove your passcode.

Follow there steps provided multiple times in the very thread you replied to, including the Apple Recommended post at the top.

This link:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

Nobody on here, nor Apple, can send you a new restrictions passcode, the code is specific to what you set it to and can only be changed by you remembering it and changing it. If you can't remember what you set it to try recovery mode to reset the phone back to factory defaults, see half-way down this page : If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

The only way to fix it is to restore the iPhone to remove the restrictions passcode.

If you made a backup after the restrictions were put in place you will not be able to use that backup, as the passcode is contained in it, and will be put back if you use the backup.

Follow the steps here: If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

OK.....Still the link provided to you likely won't work on your iPad as the link refers to a new process which released with iPadOS 13.4. Since your iPad is not capable of running that, you will need to use the old method which is to use your home computer to erase your iPad using iTunes and you cannot restore from backup. This is the link you will need to use --> If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

Thanks for the reply and help.

In the end I logged onto iCloud on the web, located my iPad and erased it from there. I then set it up as a new device (no iTunes restore), linked it to my iCloud and iTunes accounts where I got all my apps back. After that from my Macbook I synced music and photos from iTunes and iPhoto, created a new iTunes backup and it worked fine. From having only 1 GB free before the reset I ended up with 16 GB free after everything was restored back. Oh yes, since I set it up as a new device the restriction password is gone.

Follow the steps in the Apple recommended post at the top of the thread you replied to.

If you forgot your Screen Time passcode, update your device to the latest iOS or iPadOS (14) then reset your passcode. If you can’t update your device, erase it and set it up as new to remove the passcode and choose a new one. Restoring your device from a backup won't remove your passcode if tge backup was made after the restrictions passcode was put in place.

marleen273 wrote:

Asking for a passcode which I don’t have

A passcode for what? when does it ask for it?

If its a restrictions passcode, see the link provided multiple times already and in the Apple Recommended post at the top of every page of the veey thread you replied to. Here it is again: link-> Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

If its a screen unlock passcode see here: link-> If you forgot the passcode on your iPad, or your iPad is disabled - Apple Support

Otherwise, explain exactly what is asking for a passcode and when its happening exactly.