As a parent in the digital age, it’s crucial to monitor and limit your children’s screen time on their iPhones and iPads. Fortunately, Apple provides a built-in solution called Screen Time that allows you to set restrictions on device and app usage. A key feature is the Screen Time passcode, which prevents anyone from changing the settings without your permission.
But what happens if you forget your Screen Time passcode? Don’t panic – in this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to reset your forgotten passcode step-by-step, including a way to do it without losing any precious data using a handy tool called Tenorshare 4uKey.
What is Screen Time and Why Should Parents Use It?
Screen Time is a powerful set of parental control features included on iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later. It provides detailed reports on how much time your kids spend on their devices and allows you to set limits on usage, block inappropriate content, and more. By enabling Screen Time and setting a passcode, you can:
- Restrict the total amount of time spent on the device each day
- Set time limits for individual apps or app categories
- Block mature content, purchases, and downloads
- See detailed reports on which apps are used most
- Enforce healthy boundaries around sleep time and school time
In our hyper-connected world, it’s all too easy for children and teens to become addicted to their smartphones and tablets. Excessive screen time has been linked to poor sleep, reduced attention span, social isolation, and exposure to inappropriate content.
As a responsible parent, using Screen Time is one of the best ways to promote healthy digital habits for your kids. For Android devices, there are also screen time management features available.
Understanding the Screen Time Passcode
When you enable Screen Time on your child’s iPhone or iPad, you’ll be prompted to create a passcode. This 4-digit code is required to make any changes to the Screen Time settings, ensuring your carefully chosen limits stay in place. Keep in mind:
- There is no default passcode for Screen Time
- If you previously used the Restrictions feature before updating to iOS 12, your Restrictions passcode will carry over to Screen Time
- Write down your Screen Time passcode in a safe place to avoid forgetting it
- Be cautious of methods claiming to hack or bypass Screen Time as they may not work or could compromise device security
But if you do forget your passcode, don’t worry – while inconvenient, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll cover two methods to deal with a forgotten passcode below.
Resetting a Forgotten Screen Time Passcode
There are two main ways to reset your Screen Time passcode if you can’t remember it:
Method 1: Erase Your Device and Set It Up As New
Apple’s official recommendation if you forget your Screen Time passcode is to completely erase your iPhone or iPad and set it up again from scratch. This removes the Screen Time passcode along with all other device settings and content. The major downside is that you will lose all the data on your device, so make sure you have a recent backup first.
Here’s how to erase your iPhone or iPad and remove the Screen Time passcode:

- Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap “Erase All Content and Settings“
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset process, then set up your device as new
- When you get to the Screen Time setup page, create a new passcode and write it down in a safe place this time
The main drawback of this official method is the loss of all data on your device. Any photos, messages, apps, and other precious content will be erased. And even if you restore your device from a backup, the Screen Time passcode will also be restored, putting you back at square one. Fortunately, there is a better way.
If you need to reset encrypted data on your iPhone in addition to the Screen Time passcode, the erase method will handle both.
Method 2: Reset Screen Time Passcode Without Data Loss Using Tenorshare 4uKey
What if you could reset your Screen Time passcode without losing everything on your iPhone or iPad? That’s where Tenorshare 4uKey comes in. This handy software allows you to easily remove your Screen Time passcode in just a few clicks, without erasing your device.

Here’s how easy it is to use Tenorshare 4uKey to reset your forgotten Screen Time passcode:
- Download and install Tenorshare 4uKey on your Windows PC or Mac
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer with a USB cable
- Launch Tenorshare 4uKey and click “Remove Screen Time Passcode“
- Click the “Start Remove” button and let the software work its magic
- In a few minutes, your Screen Time passcode will be removed without affecting any of your other device data
That’s it! No more worrying about forgetting your passcode or having to wipe your entire device. With Tenorshare 4uKey, resetting your Screen Time passcode is a breeze.
Screen Time Passcode FAQs
Q: Can I change my Screen Time passcode if I know the current one?
A: Yes – go to Settings > Screen Time and tap “Change Screen Time Passcode” to create a new one.
Q: Is my Screen Time passcode the same on all my Apple devices?
A: No, each device has its own unique Screen Time passcode. You’ll need to set it up individually on each iPhone and iPad.
Q: Will I lose all my device data if I reset the Screen Time passcode using the official method?
A: Yes, completely erasing your device will remove everything including apps, photos, messages and the Screen Time passcode. Always backup first.
Q: Can I use Tenorshare 4uKey to remove the Screen Time passcode without losing data?
A: Yes, this is the main benefit of using Tenorshare 4uKey vs Apple’s official erase method. It removes only the passcode while keeping your apps, media, and settings intact.
Q: Is Tenorshare 4uKey safe and compatible with the latest iOS versions?
A: Yes, Tenorshare 4uKey is completely safe and is compatible with all iPhone and iPad models running iOS 12 or later, where Screen Time is available.
Key Takeaways for Parents Dealing with a Forgotten Screen Time Passcode
- Create a Screen Time passcode you can remember and write it down in a safe place
- If you forget the passcode, you can reset it by erasing your device, but you’ll lose all data
- Use Tenorshare 4uKey software to quickly and easily remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode without affecting your other device content
- Don’t neglect the benefits of using Screen Time on iPhone or similar features on Android to encourage healthy device habits for your kids
- Be wary of hacks or workarounds to bypass Screen Time as they may be unreliable or unsafe
While setting up Screen Time is a great way to manage your children’s iPhone and iPad usage, even the most conscientious parents can forget the restriction passcode. If you find yourself locked out, give Tenorshare 4uKey a try to regain access without starting over from scratch.
If all else fails and you need to erase your device, just remember to disable Screen Time first to avoid getting locked out again. Most importantly, don’t give up on using parental controls to help your kids build a healthy relationship with technology.