Level 2

183 points

What is Screen Time passcode in iOS 12?

I just upgraded to ios12. Screen Time was enabled by default. I want to turn it off. It demands a pass code. Obviously, I never set a pass code for Screen Time, since it didn't exist prior to the upgrade.

1) Restrictions, aka Parental controls, was not on when I upgraded. It's possible I messed around with it in the distant past and set a pass code at some point.

2) My screen lock pass code is 6 digits, while the Screen Time pass code is 4 digits, so the ST pc default is not the same as the screen lock pc.

3) I have tried several obvious (to me) pass codes, including 0000. Nothing works. I am now up to a 5 minute wait between tries.

[Insert nasty comments about Apple here]

[Re-Titled by Host]

Posted on Sep 17, 2018 6:09 PM

Top-ranking reply

janiemac13

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Sep 18, 2018 3:58 PM

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.

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171 replies

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:27 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

Joe Sixpack wrote:

Just admit it--Apple screwed up here.

Why are you so determined to make that point?

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:37 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I haven't seen thousands. Can you document that claim?

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:43 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

Link?

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:46 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Link to what? My original post? Scroll up.

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:54 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I don't see thousands and, even if I did, that number is minuscule compared to the billions and billions of iPhones in the world.

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Oct 28, 2018 6:56 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

Because parents who update their children's phones don't want their to be a gap in the protection/password.

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Oct 28, 2018 7:41 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, but GA still exists and functions as a completely separate app, so there was no reason to transfer its passcode to some other app.

Nov 3, 2018 6:04 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I have never setup any restrictions what so ever. I don’t even lock my phone. I’m on attempt 10

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Nov 5, 2018 6:36 PM in response to NewUserMAC

Clearly, Western civilization is doomed.

Dec 12, 2018 10:37 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

I just realized, by turning off screen time and then back on and selecting “this is my phone”, the password is disabled

Dec 28, 2018 9:03 AM in response to Phil0124

Hey Phil,

I’m just sharing my experience and what SOLVED the issue for me.

Thanks for your encouraging comment.

Luke

Jan 28, 2019 5:12 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

thank you.. i am waiting for 12th time being locked out for an hour each time.

Jan 28, 2019 6:09 PM in response to Pbs2439

i did the same but it said i had to have the encrypted pass code which i also do not remember..

Mar 3, 2019 5:03 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

So, it's true, or not ? Does screentime turn on by itself ? or you just messed up and dont remember ?

Mar 3, 2019 5:08 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

TEST

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What is Screen Time passcode in iOS 12?