Screen Time Passcode: How to Change, Reset, or Recover It
Updated 2026-09-12
The Screen Time passcode is a four-digit code that protects Apple's parental control settings on an iPhone or iPad. It is separate from the device passcode used to unlock the screen. You need it to change settings like Downtime and App Limits.
If you know the current code, you can change it anytime in Settings. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it using the Apple Account you linked during setup. For a child in your Family Sharing group, you manage their passcode from your own device.
A passcode stops them from changing settings. KlusQuest helps them earn their time by doing tasks first, buying minutes with earned coins.
How to change your Screen Time passcode
- 1
Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
- 2
Scroll down, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
- 3
Enter your current four-digit Screen Time passcode.
- 4
Enter your new passcode, then enter it again to confirm.
How to reset a forgotten Screen Time passcode
- 1
Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
- 2
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
- 3
On the screen asking for the old passcode, tap Forgot Passcode if the option is available.
- 4
Enter the Apple Account email address and password that you used when you first set up the passcode to attempt a reset.
Changing the passcode for a child's device
If your child is part of your Apple Family Sharing group, you must change their Screen Time passcode from your own device, not theirs. As the Family Organizer, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, and scroll down to choose your child's name under Family. Under Restrictions, tap Manage Screen Time. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap it again to set a new code for them.
What if your child knows the passcode?
Anyone who knows the Screen Time passcode can change the settings it protects or approve more time directly on the device, bypassing any limits you have set. If you suspect your child has learned or guessed the code, you should change it immediately.
To help prevent this, always choose a passcode that is different from the device unlock code and other common personal identification numbers. While keeping the passcode private is important, be aware that a child Apple Account and device configuration cannot guarantee complete prevention against all bypass methods.
Why a passcode alone does not end the negotiation
A passcode is a technical barrier. It can stop a child from changing settings, but it does not stop the daily arguments about why those settings exist. For many families, the constant requests for extra time continue, just through different channels.
An alternative approach shifts the focus from restriction to responsibility. With KlusQuest, kids complete tasks like homework or chores first. After parents approve the tasks, children earn coins that buy screen time minutes. Note that family schedules and remote device locks override any earned time, but this system gives kids agency and turns daily conflict into a constructive routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Screen Time passcode the same as my iPhone passcode?
No. The device passcode unlocks your iPhone. The Screen Time passcode is a separate, four-digit code that specifically protects Screen Time settings like App Limits and Downtime.
I forgot my Screen Time passcode. Do I have to erase my phone?
No. You can often reset it without erasing your device. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode twice in Settings, then use the Forgot Passcode option to attempt recovery with your Apple Account, provided you set up a recovery email.
How do I reset my child's Screen Time passcode?
The Family Sharing organizer must reset it from their own device. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, select your child's name under the Family section, tap Manage Screen Time, and follow the prompts to change their passcode.
Should my child know the Screen Time passcode?
No. If your child knows the passcode, they can change or ignore any limits you have set. Keep it private and make sure it is different from the device main passcode.
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