How to Reset Your Screen Time Passcode on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Screen Time is one of Apple's most useful features — whether you're using it to track your own daily habits or to manage what your kids can access on their devices. But there's one frustrating scenario almost every user eventually runs into: setting a Screen Time passcode, then completely forgetting it.

It happens more than you'd think. Unlike your main device passcode, the Screen Time passcode is a separate 4-digit code that many people set once and never think about again — until they need to change a setting and get completely locked out.

The good news is that resetting it is straightforward, as long as you have your Apple ID credentials handy. This guide covers every scenario: resetting it on your own iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and even resetting it remotely on your child's device through Family Sharing.

---

Before You Begin: What You'll Need

Regardless of which device you're resetting the passcode on, Apple requires you to verify your identity using your Apple ID email and password. Make sure you have these ready before you start.

There's one important limitation worth knowing upfront: if you disabled "Share Across Devices" in Screen Time settings and skipped the Apple ID recovery step when you first set up Screen Time, Apple has no way to verify your identity — and the passcode cannot be reset. In that case, the only path forward is a full device erase and restore, which we'll cover at the end of this guide.

---

How to Reset the Screen Time Passcode on iPhone or iPad

This is the most common scenario, and the process takes under two minutes.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time
2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode
3. In the prompt that appears, tap Change Screen Time Passcode again
4. Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom
5. Enter your Apple ID email address and tap Continue (or tap OK in the top-right corner)
6. Enter your Apple ID password and tap OK
7. Once Apple verifies your credentials, you'll be taken to a new screen where you can set a fresh Screen Time passcode
8. Enter your new 4-digit passcode, then enter it once more to confirm

That's all there is to it. Your old passcode is gone and the new one is active immediately.

Tip: Right after resetting, go back into Screen Time settings and make sure your Apple ID is linked for future recovery. This prevents you from getting locked out again.

---

How to Reset the Screen Time Passcode on Mac

The steps on Mac are slightly different but follow the same logic.

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen
2. Select System Settings from the dropdown
3. Click Screen Time in the left sidebar
4. Scroll down to find Lock Screen Time Settings and click Change Passcode...
5. Click Forgot Passcode?
6. Enter your Apple ID email and press Return or click Next
7. Enter your Apple ID password and press Return or click Next
8. Set a new Screen Time passcode and confirm it by entering it a second time

Same caveat applies here — if Screen Time was set up without linking your Apple ID for recovery and Share Across Devices is off, this option won't work.

---

How to Reset Your Child's Screen Time Passcode

If you've set up Screen Time with parental controls on your child's iPhone or iPad through Apple's Family Sharing, you can reset their passcode directly from your own device — no need to touch theirs at all. You must be the Family Organizer for this to work.

From Your iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top
2. Tap Family Sharing, then select your child's name
3. Tap Screen Time
4. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again in the confirmation prompt
5. Authenticate using your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID
6. Enter a new 4-digit passcode and confirm it

From Your Mac

1. Click the Apple logo and go to System Settings
2. Select Screen Time from the sidebar
3. Click your name next to Family Member and switch to your child's account from the dropdown
4. Scroll down and click Change Passcode
5. Enter your Mac admin password and click Unlock
6. Set and confirm the new Screen Time passcode

Once done, the new passcode will be active on your child's device without any additional steps needed on their end.

---

The "Share Across Devices" Advantage

If you have Share Across Devices enabled under Screen Time, your settings — including any passcode changes — sync automatically across every Apple device tied to your iCloud account. This means resetting the passcode once on your iPhone instantly updates it on your iPad and Mac too. No need to go through the process on each device separately.To check if this is on, go to Settings > Screen Time and look for the Share Across Devices toggle.

---

What If You Also Forgot Your Apple ID Password?

This is where things get more complicated. Since the Screen Time passcode reset process requires your Apple ID credentials, forgetting both means you have two layers of recovery to deal with.

Start by recovering your Apple ID first. You can do this at iforgot.apple.com — Apple will walk you through identity verification using trusted phone numbers, email addresses, or recovery keys. Once your Apple ID access is restored, come back and follow the Screen Time reset steps above.

---

Last Resort: Erase and Restore Your Device

If you have no Apple ID recovery method set up and cannot access Screen Time settings at all, the only remaining option is a full device reset. This will erase all data on the device, so it should only be used when everything else has failed.

On iPhone or iPad:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. After the reset, you can restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup during setup.

Using a Mac or PC:

Connect your device, put it into Recovery Mode, and restore it through Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Apple's official support page has step-by-step instructions for your specific model.

Important: If you're doing this on a child's device, make sure you have a recent backup saved to iCloud beforehand so their data isn't permanently lost.

---

Tips to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again

Once you've successfully reset your passcode, a few simple habits will save you from this headache in the future:

Store the passcode somewhere safe. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or Apple's own Keychain to save your Screen Time passcode the moment you set it. It takes ten seconds and prevents the entire problem.

Link your Apple ID to Screen Time recovery. During setup, never skip the step that links your Apple ID for passcode recovery. If you already skipped it, go to Settings > Screen Time and re-enable recovery now.

Enable Share Across Devices. This keeps everything in sync and means a single reset covers all your Apple devices simultaneously.

Use a memorable but non-obvious passcode. Avoid using the same 4 digits as your device unlock code, but also avoid something so random you'll forget it. A meaningful but private number (like an old house number or a year only you'd know) often works well.

---

Quick Reference: Which Method to Use

---

Final Thoughts

Forgetting a Screen Time passcode is genuinely frustrating, but Apple's recovery system makes it painless as long as you have your Apple ID credentials on hand. The key takeaway: always link your Apple ID to Screen Time when setting it up, and store your passcode somewhere you won't lose it.

If you're managing Screen Time for children, the Family Sharing remote reset feature is particularly handy — it means you never have to physically take their device to make a change.

---

FAQ

Can I reset a Screen Time passcode without an Apple ID?
Not through the normal recovery process. If your Apple ID isn't linked for recovery, the only option is a full device erase and restore.

Will resetting my Screen Time passcode delete my Screen Time data?
No. Changing the passcode doesn't affect your usage history, app limits, downtime schedules, or any other Screen Time settings.

Can I turn off Screen Time if I forgot the passcode?
Yes, but only through the same passcode reset process. Once you reset the passcode, you can go back into Screen Time settings and turn it off entirely.

Does Screen Time sync between iPhone and Mac?
Yes, if you have Share Across Devices enabled under Screen Time settings in iCloud. Any changes, including passcode resets, will reflect across all linked devices.

What is the default Screen Time passcode?
There isn't one — the passcode is created by you during setup and is separate from your device unlock code.