What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

iOS 12 introduced a new feature: Screen Time. Screen Time lets you control how you spend your time interacting with your iPhone or iPad. This feature provides you with the information how you are using your time on your iOS devices. You get weekly screen time reports. This feature also lets you set time limits for apps. If you have a child, Screen Time also lets you set up various parental controls (like limiting screen times, apps and restricting content etc).

A lot of users have reported issues with Screen Time passcode. It seems that some users are having problems with remembering or recovering their Screen Time passcodes. This article explains how you can find your Screen Time passcode. Here is how:

iOS 11 and earlier versions have a similar feature called Restrictions. With iOS 12, Apple replaced Restrictions with Screen Time. Before upgrading to iOS 12, if you turned on Restrictions, Screen Time is enabled by default. Your screen Time password is your previous Restrictions password or your old Restrictions passcode and now your new Screen Time pass code. To put differently, If there was a Restrictions passcode  set up on iOS 11, once you upgrade to the iOS 12 version, iOS transferred the code to Screen Time in iOS 12 (Settings > Screen Time).

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

This means that if you want to disable or change your Screen Time passcode it, you will be asked a password. Simply enter your Restrictions passcode. If you never used Restrictions before, you may need to set up a passcode. You will be asked to enable Screen Time during the iOS 12 installation process. If you do not set up a passcode during the installation process, you can also turn on Screen Time later by gong to Settings > Screen Time, and enabling this will guide you.

See also: Can’t Remove iOS Apps (No ‘X’ Button)?

Please note that this is not your screen unlocking passcode. That password is 6 digit. While your Screen Time passcode (or your Restriction passcode) is 4 digit. You will need this passcode if you want to update your old password or if you want to disable Screen Time.

If you do not remember your Restrictions passcode and thus you do not know your Screen Time, you have three options:

  1. The first option is to try some common passcodes that you might use (like 0000). Do not repeat this a lot. Just try a few different passcode options.
  2. you may want to erase everything and set up your device as new by going to Settings > Reset > Reset All Content and Settings. Again this will erase everything. And you must set up your device as new again. You cannot use your old backups because your backups will include your passcode too.
  3. Another option is to use a third party tool. If you have previous iTunes backups (iOS 11 or earlier versions, iOS 11-iOS 8), you can use pin finder to recover your Restrictions passcode. Once you know your Restrictions passcode, now you can disable ot change your Screen Time passcode.

If you want Apple to know about this, you can send feedback to Apple.

See also: How To Delete Your iCloud Backups

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. Here is his LinkedIn profile.

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What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

Bradley Jonathan | Sep 16, 2022

A veteran journalist, dedicated to reporting the latest smartphone technology innovations. He tests all methods himself to provide an unbiased how-to piece on all iPhone issues.

  • When you forget your screen time passcode, you can reset it using the Apple ID and password that set it up.
  • Passcode reset options won't be available on your child's device if you use Family Sharing to manage their account.
  • This article will go over the detailed steps to reset the screen time passcode and describe ways to do it without using the Apple ID and password.

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

Did you set a screen time passcode for your child but forget the password? Or have you never used or set up a restricted password? However, your iDevice automatically began asking you for your Screen Time passcode after you updated to iOS 12.

Relax, you're not the only one experiencing this problem.

Well! I recently acquired a second-hand iPhone, and to my grief, it had a screen usage time limit. I tried to unlock it without the passcode. At first, I encountered some trouble. I tested various methods and eventually ended up unlocking my iPhone successfully. Amazing! Isn’t it?

Want to know how I did it? Please continue reading the article to reveal the secrets. I assure you that you’ll get satisfactory answers so get going with the flow.

Part 1 About Screen Time Lock

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

iphone-screen-time-lock-settings-picture

Are you new to a screen time lock and haven’t set it before? Well! In that case, let’s first begin with what screen time lock is (Part 2 explains ways to unlock it).

1. What is Screen Time?

Apple has launched a brilliant feature called "Screen time" that helps you limit the amount of time you spend on your device.

This feature creates daily and weekly reports about how you use the apps, how often you pick up your phone, and the frequency of notifications, etc, to help you maintain a healthy relationship with your mobile devices. It could be incredibly beneficial for you as well as for “parental controls.”

2. How many failed screen time passcode attempts can you have on an iPhone?

Luckily, Apple doesn’t officially specify any maximum number of attempts if you forget your screen time lock. I would recommend not to mess with it or else it can have the following effects: Your devices will be locked.

  • The screen will automatically lockout after one minute if you repeatedly enter the incorrect passcode to unlock the Screen Time feature.
  • After 7 unsuccessful attempts, the screen will be locked for 5 minutes.
  • If 8 failures occur, the screen will be locked out for 15 minutes and if 9 failures occur, the screen will be locked out for one hour.

Hopefully, you got a clear idea about what is screen time lock. Let’s just hop to the next part without wasting any time.

I have explored two scenarios for unlocking screen time locks. One is to unlock your own device, the other is to unlock someone else’s device (usually a child’s). I will be explaining both of these to you in detail in the next part.

Part 2 How to Remove Screen Passcode?

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

forget screen time passcode

Ok! Let's get to the first stop: using your iPhone Settings app. However, it is important to note that the Apple ID and password or a device passcode will be a requirement here.

Otherwise, jump to Method 3 because the passcode requirement of Method 1 and Method 2 is mandatory.

Method 1: Remove Screen Passcode For Your Own Devices Via Settings

It is imperative that you read "Requirements" prior to moving forward with Method 1 thus enabling smooth flow of the process.

Requirements:

  • Ensure that your device is updated to iOS 13.4 or iPadOS 13.4 or later.
  • If you are using Mac make sure it is updated to macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
  • Apple ID and password are mandatory.

Steps for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Click Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
  3. Tap Forgot Passcode?
  4. Type the Apple ID and password that you used to set up the Screen Time passcode.
  5. Enter a new Screen Time passcode and confirm it by entering it again.

  6. What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

    Turn off Screen Time via Apple ID on Setting


Steps for a Mac:

  1. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences, and then click Screen Time.
  2. In the lower-left corner, click Options.
  3. Tap Change Passcode, and then tap Forgot Passcode.
  4. Enter the Apple ID and password you used when setting up the Screen Time passcode.
  5. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, and then confirm it by entering it again.

The second method is about Family Sharing. If the Family Organizer enables the screen time passcode, you will need the Family Organizer's device to turn off the restriction passcode.

Method 2 Reset the Screen Time Passcode For Your Child's Device

This method also requires your Apple ID and password or your device passcode. I suggest you try Method 3 if you're like me and you don't know who set the screen time lock on your device, don't have access to an Apple ID or password, or don't know the device passcode.

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

screen time passcode for children

Requirements for using a family organizer's device:

  • Update the family organizer's device to iOS 13.4 or iPadOS 13.4.
  • Mac users should update to macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
  • To authenticate, Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch may ask for your Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode.
  • You will need to enter the Apple ID and password if you are using a Mac.

Steps On an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time on your family organizer.
  2. Click the name of the child under Family.
  3. Click Change Screen Time Passcode. Tap it one more time. A passcode or Face ID might be required for authentication.
  4. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then confirm it.

Steps On a Mac:

  1. Select Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time.
  2. Choose a child's name from the drop-down menu on the left side.
  3. In the lower-left corner, click Options.
  4. Select Change Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode.
  5. Enter the Apple ID and password that you used while setting up the Screen Time passcode.
  6. Enter a new Screen Time passcode, then confirm it.

I have provided you with two ways to turn off the screen time lock. But getting rid of the annoying screen time lock is not easy if you don't know the all-important Apple ID and password or can't access the Family Organizer's device, even if it's your device.

I will now share how I removed the screen time lock without a passcode or even knowing where the "family device" is.

Method 3 How to Remove Screen Time Passcode Without Apple ID

What can Mobitrix LockAway do?

Using Mobitrix Lockaway, you do not have to erase all the data to be able to remove Screen Time Passcode, and you need not enter your device passcode as well.

Steps:

  1. Download and Install Mobitrix LockAway.
  2. Connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer.
  3. Choose Unlock Screen Time, and then set up your device.

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

Mobitrix LockAway - Unlock Screen Time - Home

Advantages of Mobitrix LockAway

  • It requires only about 20 minutes to erase the screen time passcode.
  • The tool is easy to operate with just a few steps.
  • It has a 99% unlocking success rate.
  • iOS 12/13/14/15/16 and later are supported by the software.

I had a great experience using this tool because in just 30 minutes or so, LockAway helped me escape the dreaded time screen lock! I could now enjoy my iPhone without any restrictions: watching TV, youtube, Twitter, etc., no annoying pop-ups any more!

Still confused about “forgot screen time passcode”? I have prepared some FAQs about the screen time lock to clear up any confusion.

Part 3 FAQs About “Forgot Screen Time Passcode”

What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

faqs

    Can I remove screen time passcode via restore iPhone with iTunes?

    Having experimented in this area, I would not recommend using iTunes or iCloud to reset the screen time passcode. This is because when I searched Google I found many tutorials recommending using these to reset the devices in order to remove the lock.

    But when I applied these methods I discovered that they do not remove screen time lock but end up deleting data. If you still wish to use these methods, ensure a backup, or else all your data will be lost.

    Is there a default screen time passcode?

    You may wonder "is there a default passcode for Screen Time?" Apparently, some users did not know their screen time passcode, but they used their default passcode to resolve the issue. However, this method has a low success rate.

    If you really want to give it a try then enter 1234 or 0000 just to see if it works. Personally, I would not suggest this method because as I mentioned in Part 1, there are other risks associated with multiple false attempts than just locking the phone.

    How do I turn off screen time?

    When you have finished setting the screen time, you can turn off-screen time by going to Settings.

    Steps:

    1. Tap Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
    2. Tap the Screen Time option.
    3. Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Turn Off Screen Time.
    4. Once your phone asks for the passcode, enter it.
    5. You can confirm by tapping Turn Off Screen Time again.

    What is the default screen time passcode for iphone

    turn off iphone screen time lock


    How to Avoid Forgetting Screen Time Passcode?

    • Set an Easy-to-Remember Passcode
    • If you often forget the screen time passcode, choose a passcode that you can easily remember. You should create a strong, yet simple, passcode when changing or resetting Screen Time.

    • Use iCloud Keychain
    • If you have trouble remembering your passcodes, now you can use iCloud Keychain, a service that Apple created to store, sync, and create your passwords. It lets you keep your passcodes updated across multiple devices. Furthermore, it can save you from the hassle of having to remember things.