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Joe Sixpack Author

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.

View in context

171 replies

Dec 28, 2018 4:26 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

Hello Joe,

I'm not sure if you've solved the problem. I also had the same issue.. but after some research online, the Screen Time Passcode is often set as a default to the Restrictions Passcode. I had a friend set up a Restrictions Passcode on my iPhone, asked him for the code and this happens to be the Screen Time Passcode also!

I relieved I figured that one out! So maybe try that.. before a hard reset of your phone.

It does appear to be a bug by Apple.. or at least they should tell us that the passcodes are the same.

Luke

Dec 28, 2018 8:21 AM in response to luketghutch

Hello Joe,

I'm not sure if you've solved the problem. I also had the same issue.. but after some research online, the Screen Time Passcode is often set as a default to the Restrictions Passcode. I had a friend set up a Restrictions Passcode on my iPhone, asked him for the code and this happens to be the Screen Time Passcode also!

Yes, that has been explained many many times over in this 10 page thread already.

Many still claim they never set a restrictions passcode.

Dec 29, 2018 11:23 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

I used the https://pinfinder.net/ link that campsbayrich suggested to discover my old pin code. It worked and the pin code was not one that I ever remember setting, but if I did, it must have been many years ago. It was a really dumb move by Apple to automatically enable the screen time pin code.

Pbs2439

Level 1

14 points

Jan 7, 2019 7:58 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I also had this problem. Would have sworn that I had never set any kind of previous restriction code. Following above advice, I did the following:

(1) opened iTunes on my desktop computer,

(2) connected my iPad to the computer,

(3) selected the iPad under ‘device’, and

(4) under ‘summary’ I performed an encrypted back-up of my iPad on iTunes.

(5) Then on the computer I downloaded a freeware program called pinfinder at https://pinfinder.net.

(6) Ran this program on the computer and it immediately identified a 4-digit code that I did not remember setting, but it was a number I recognized.

(7) Entered that number as the passcode for Screen Time and IT WORKED!

Gersh94

Level 1

0 points

Feb 21, 2019 5:37 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

My son's ipad mini 4 all of a sudden after upgrading to iOS 12 has a screentime restriction of 1 hour. We don't have a passcode for it and I've wiped it 3 times and done a new install each time - and it keeps coming back. One was even a fresh install without downloading all old apps or content.

Neither my wife or I had set it up and now we can't get rid of it.

This is a maddening bug and it can't send me a recovery link. HELP!

Mar 3, 2019 7:58 AM in response to El_Malandrino

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

Screen time does not turn on by itself no. It will only be on after updating to iOS 12, if Restrictions were turned on, on the device before updating to iOS 12.

It's very common for people to turn on Restrictions for some reason, and then forget about it entirely.

The only other possibility I have seen, is if they had Guided Access turned on and had a passcode set for it. Some people report Screen Time will then be activated, with the Guided Access passcode.

Gersh94

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2019 5:33 PM in response to NutmegAppleID

After almost a week, my escalated issue was solved with the help of the engineering team. Since this was for my son's ipad, I was able to go into it through my iphone and set a master passcode under my screentime option.

tnxgod

Level 1

4 points

Apr 15, 2019 7:46 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

i too am 100% sure of the 4 digit password. it was the simplest password because it was just screen time. but when this was denied i tried to key in adjacent numbers as i often unintentionally punch the adjacent number. So is there a way to fix this mess?

Apr 15, 2019 8:05 AM in response to tnxgod

tnxgod wrote:

i too am 100% sure of the 4 digit password. it was the simplest password because it was just screen time. but when this was denied i tried to key in adjacent numbers as i often unintentionally punch the adjacent number. So is there a way to fix this mess?

The only way is to restore the phone and set it up as New.

tnxgod

Level 1

4 points

Apr 15, 2019 8:13 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

Yes my problem is screen time password. I set limits to social sites. I just wanted to test setting "time" restriction for me first. So any solutions? I tried reset and restore using backup. I have not tried setting to new

tnxgod

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2019 6:16 AM in response to tnxgod

Upon advice of our local apple store technician all i did was to reset to factory settings and activate as a new phone. I did not synch to my timeline files. Also I saved my important files to my icloud drive..

LACAllen

Level 8

43,500 points

Sep 17, 2018 7:00 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

Enabling Screen Time guides you to set up a passcode.

It does not make one up for you.

Sep 18, 2018 12:47 AM in response to anypats

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!!

Sep 19, 2018 7:29 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

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/

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Sep 17, 2018 7:09 PM in response to LACAllen

Please read my second sentence.

What is Screen Time passcode in iOS 12?