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

200cm

Level 1

13 points

Dec 23, 2018 12:48 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

How can or could restrictions to something that was introduced to my iPhone have been on before it was installed on the phone? No restrictions were active EVER. Screentime to my knowledge was introduced only in iOS 12.

Nopne of your wild guesses apply to my phone.

So: your suggestions 1. and 2. are wrong, I am sorry to say. What gives you the certainty (and to me it sounds like arrogance) that only these two possibilites apply? Look at the shere number of complaints about the same issue.

Utterly useless answer.

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!

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?

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

LACAllen

Level 8

43,590 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.

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

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

Please read my second sentence.

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Sep 17, 2018 7:23 PM in response to askbarnabas

Okay .... I should erase my phone and reinstall from my most recent backup, which is iOS 11. Then upgrade to iOS 12 (again). Won't I just be back where I started?

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,230 points

Sep 17, 2018 7:51 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

No, it will go to iOS 12 even though the backup was from before that. setting it up as new prevents all hassles.

askbarnabas

Level 10

104,230 points

Sep 17, 2018 8:01 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I am glad you came up with the correct code.

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Sep 17, 2018 8:55 PM in response to ctorstens

I am curious if you had either Restrictions or Guided Access enabled in the previous iOS? Have you tried disabling Screen Time yet? I'm holding off on the iPad for awhile, so no help there.

saeed193

Level 1

8 points

Sep 18, 2018 2:37 AM in response to Joe Sixpack

0000

Sep 18, 2018 2:51 AM in response to Deeeeeeeeeejay

Sorry - in my last post please subsitute ”Apple” for “MS”!

Sep 18, 2018 11:34 AM in response to splatEric

Where exactly is restrictions? Can you walk me through the path to it?

Joe Sixpack Author

Level 2

183 points

Sep 18, 2018 1:59 PM in response to knutefromyerington

In iOS 11: Settings > General > Restrictions

In iOS 12: Restrictions is part of Settings > Screen Time

anypats

Level 7

21,363 points

Sep 18, 2018 4:29 PM in response to Joe Sixpack

I may be able to test on my wife’s. All other devices that can upgrade to iOS 12 already have been. I’ll post results.

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What is Screen Time passcode in iOS 12?