What a screen time passcode is and why you might need to change it
A screen time passcode is a four-digit code that locks your device's usage limits and app restrictions. Once you set it, only someone who knows the code can change how much time you're allowed to spend on apps, turn off downtime periods, or remove parental controls. If you've forgotten your passcode, set one years ago and can't remember it, or want to switch to a new code, you'll need to reset it through your device settings or your Apple ID.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you remember your current passcode or not, and whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The good news: you can change it without losing any of your other data or settings.
Key Takeaways
- If you remember your current screen time passcode, you can change it directly in Settings under Screen Time without needing your Apple ID.
- If you've forgotten your passcode, you'll need to reset it using your Apple ID password, which will erase your screen time history but keep all other data intact.
- On iPhone and iPad, screen time settings live under Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode.
- On Mac, the same settings are in System Settings > General > Screen Time > Options.
- If you don't have your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process before you can change your screen time passcode.
Changing your passcode if you remember the current one
This is the fastest route. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, then tap Screen Time. Scroll down and tap Change Screen Time Passcode. You'll be asked to enter your current four-digit code first. Once you do, the screen will prompt you to enter a new four-digit code, then confirm it by typing it again.
On a Mac, open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Screen Time. Click the Options button in the lower right, then click Change Passcode. Enter your current code, then your new one twice.
Write down your new passcode somewhere safe once you've set it. If you lose it again, the reset process is more involved.
Resetting your passcode if you've forgotten it
If you can't remember your current screen time passcode, you'll need to reset it using your Apple ID. The steps are the same on iPhone and iPad: go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode. Instead of entering your old code, tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen. You'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Once you've signed in, you can create a brand new four-digit passcode. This process will clear your screen time history — the record of which apps you've used and for how long — but it won't delete any apps, photos, messages, or other data on your device.
On Mac, the path is System Settings > General > Screen Time > Options > Change Passcode. Click Forgot Passcode? and sign in with your Apple ID. You'll then set a new code.
What to do if you don't have your Apple ID password
If you've forgotten both your screen time passcode and your Apple ID password, you'll need to reset your Apple ID password first. Go to iforgot.apple.com on any device with internet access. Enter your Apple ID email address, then follow Apple's steps to verify your identity — usually through a code sent to your email or phone number.
Once you've reset your Apple ID password, return to your device and follow the "Resetting your passcode if you've forgotten it" steps above. You'll now be able to sign in and create a new screen time passcode.
Removing your screen time passcode entirely
If you don't want a passcode at all, you can turn off screen time protection. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time and scroll to the top. Tap Turn Off Screen Time. You'll be asked to confirm, and if you have a passcode set, you'll need to enter it. This removes all screen time limits and restrictions from your device.
On Mac, open System Settings > General > Screen Time and click Turn Off Screen Time in the lower left. Again, you'll need to enter your passcode to confirm.
Turning off screen time is different from just changing your passcode — it removes the entire feature. If you want to keep limits and restrictions but just change the code, use the steps in the earlier sections instead.
Why your screen time passcode keeps getting rejected
The most common reason a passcode doesn't work is that you're entering it incorrectly. Screen time passcodes are exactly four digits with no letters or symbols. If you've tried several times and keep getting an error, wait a few minutes before trying again — the system sometimes temporarily locks after multiple wrong attempts.
If you're certain you're entering the right code and it's still being rejected, try signing out of your Apple ID on the device, then signing back in. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out (on iPhone and iPad) or System Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out (on Mac), then sign back in with your Apple ID password. This sometimes clears a stuck passcode state.
If that doesn't work, your last option is to reset the passcode using your Apple ID, which will clear your screen time history but restore the ability to set a new code.
Screen time passcodes on family devices
If you're the parent or account holder on a family device, your screen time passcode controls whether anyone else can change the limits you've set. If a child knows your passcode, they can disable downtime or remove app limits. For this reason, don't share your screen time passcode with anyone you don't want changing these settings.
If a child has their own device with their own Apple ID, they'll have their own separate screen time passcode. You can't change their passcode directly — they would need to reset it using their own Apple ID, or you would need their Apple ID password to reset it for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my screen time passcode delete my apps or photos?
No. Changing or resetting your screen time passcode only affects screen time settings and history. All your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and other data stay on your device. If you reset your passcode using your Apple ID, your screen time usage history will be cleared, but nothing else is affected.
Can I use letters or symbols in my screen time passcode?
No. Screen time passcodes are always four digits only (0–9). You cannot use letters, spaces, or special characters. If you're trying to set a passcode and the system won't accept it, make sure you're only typing numbers.
What happens if I turn off screen time completely?
Turning off screen time removes all usage limits, downtime periods, and app restrictions from your device. Your screen time history is also deleted. If you turn it back on later, you'll start with a blank slate and no passcode — you'll need to set a new one if you want protection again.
Can I change my screen time passcode on a shared family device?
Only the person who set up screen time on that device can change the passcode. If someone else set it up, they would need to change it themselves, or you would need their Apple ID password to reset it. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized changes to parental controls.
How long does it take to reset my screen time passcode?
Resetting your passcode through your Apple ID is when ready — you can set a new code right away. However, if you need to reset your Apple ID password first (through iforgot.apple.com), that process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on which verification method you choose.