What is Screen Time passcode in iOS 12?

For those who are still struggling with this, and who don't want to restart their phone from new, I've figured out a method identify what your restrictions passcode is.

You can use https://pinfinder.net/ to look at your phone backup to identify the restrictions password. Unfortunately, it only works on iOS11 backups, so if you don't have that on your system, you will first need to downgrade your device (back to iOS 11), then make a backup, and run pinfinder on that backup.

To locate your backups, follow the instructions at Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support.

In order to downgrade your device back to the previous iOS, follow the instructions at https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-downgrade-from-ios-12/.

It's a bit of a workaround but it will do the trick.

Wow, HUGE bug of iOS 12. I never setup screen time, yet it is enabled and with a password... If completely deleting my device and starting from square one... that better not be the answer. Also, what does that mean for my iPad, do I have to do the same with that one, which also expects a password I never created?

huhuhu! ididn’t enter any passcode on my screen time when i updated to ios 12..please help me.i try to entered my remembered passcode but it didn’t work..now its 10x failed and try again after 60mins.!

I have never setup a restrictions passcode till now. After reading the comments, I have setup one now and tried using the same passcode for screen time. It failed again!!

The Screen Time passcode is the Restriction Pass code from previous version of iOS per this article: https://appletoolbox.com/2018/08/reset-the-screen-time-passcode-on-ios-12/

Mine did the same thing. During the initial welcome pages of iOS 12 it just spontaneously displayed a message saying “Screen Time Passcode Set.” After 5 tries on the “Change Screen Time Passcode” screen in Settings, I got it to accept an older passcode I’d used to put restrictions on my phone back when my kid didn’t have one. Somehow it resurrected that code and supplied it for the new feature. Clearly a hiccup in iOS 12 that will break that feature for some people until Apple pushes out a fix (or until you set up your new XS!). Cuz personally, that feature (by itself) would never be worth the pain of a full restore on my 256GB phone. But I can confirm that, for me, it was indeed an old restrictions passcode that got put in there during setup without my having anything to do with it.

And?

This passcode is separate to a lock screen passcode. One can be 6 digit while the other is 4.

My screen time was not enabled by default. I overtly enabled it, and disabled it, in settings using the dialogs seen above.

Sorry your experience was different,

Restrictions passcode and now screen time pass codes, are stored in backups and will return on a restore.

Setting up as new is the only resolution.

See >>> Use Screen Time to prevent purchasing on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

It's not a bug. If you ever had a passcode for Restrictions then that passcode is now your Screen Time passcode. Many people don't remember setting a Restrictions passcode especially if they were just playing around with what options the Restrictions had and then never went into them again.

Regarding your iPad, go into the Restrictions and make sure there isn't a passcode. If there isn't, then you shouldn't have any problems upgrading to iOS 12 on the iPad and there won't be a passcode for Screen Time.

I experienced the same issue. The Screen Time Passcode was enabled after iOS 12 upgrade without being asked.

I recalled that have setup a separate 4 characters Restriction Passcode in the past.

The Screen Time Passcode is the same as the previously setup separate 4 characters Restriction Passcode. It works in my case.

Seriously, Apple should have explained it in a better manner.

I also have an iPhone 6s. Have you tried calling Apple Support directly for a tech support technician? I get through using #800-676-2775 or 800-692-7753 Also go to Settings and type in the search bar Control on Lock Screen.

I am facing same issue. I don't even know what is Restriction in iOS. 😢

I never used that either. The amount of time it is increasing on every wrong attempt is pathetic.

Apple has screwed it big time. Why on earth they enabled it by default 😠

Hmm, something isn’t quite right with Screentime password feature. Have just updated to ios12 and opened screentime. It asked for Screentime passcode when i tried to adjust some of settings but it said that I had already had 10 failed passcode attempts even though I had only just opened this new feature!! I tried (only once) my screen lock code which didn’t work so it now tells me I have had 11 failed attempts and have to wait 60 minutes. I really, really don’t want to do a factory reset - shouldn’t MS be providing at least some guidance on this point as this appaers to be a really useful new feature which, at the moment, doesn’t work properly - i cannot believe I am the only one who has had this experience. All thoughts / help gratefully received 😕

I'm having the same issue and 1111 didn't work for me. I had guided access off on my phone. I refuse to believe I have erase the phone and set it up as new to correct the issue. Do you have any other thoughts?