Apple Screen Time is a built-in feature on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. It provides real-time reports about the amount of time spent using a device with a screen. And you can also use it to set time limits for apps you want to manage. Especially, many parents take advantage of this feature to know how much time their kids use the device and then set proper time limits for them. In this case, they will set a Screen Time passcode.

What do you do if your Screen Time passcode doesn't work? Don't worry. In this article, we will focus on how to fix Screen Time passcode not working. Now let's talk more in-depth.

How to Fix Screen Time Passcode Not Working

It's really annoying when you can't unlock the Screen Time lock with your passcode, especially when you need to release the time limit for particular apps in an emergency situation. You can restart your iPhone when the Screen Time passcode isn't working. Sometimes, restarting your device can address a lot of system bugs.

Reasons for Screen Time Passcode Not Working

The following are possible reasons why your Screen Time stops working, including:

  • Outdated iOS version
  • Wrong passcode
  • Your friend or family member changed your password without notifying you
  • Second-hand iPhone

According to the reasons above, we will introduce some efficient tips to help you solve the problem. You can also turn off Screen Time after you can unlock the Screen Time lock.

1. All-in-one Solution (100% working)

First of all, we will recommend an all-in-one solution - EaseUS MobiUnlock to fix the problem. It is a third-party Screen Time unlocker tool. It may apply in all situations above to remove the Screen Time passcode directly. Whether you forget the correct passcode, your family member has changed the passcode, forget the Apple ID password when you want to reset, or other situations, this EaseUS software will help you out with this dilemma.

Using versatile EaseUS MobiUnlock for iOS, you can bypass the Screen Time lock without time-consuming troubleshooting. Now download the trial version of the iOS unlocker tool to fix the Screen Time passcode not working without losing data.

Step 1. Start EaseUS MobiUnlock on your PC. Connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB cable. Trust this computer on your device screen if asked. Choose "Unlock Screen Time Passcode" to continue.

Disable Screen Time- Step 1

Step 2. EaseUS MobiUnlock will recongize your iPhone/iPad and display its model. Then please click "Unlock Now" to move to next step.

Disable Screen Time- Step 2

Step 3. Then follow the instruction on the screen to turn off "Find My iPhone" or "Find My iPad." If the option is already off on your iOS device, skip this step.

Disable Screen Time- Step 3

Step 4. Then EaseUS MobiUnlock will start to remove Screen Time Passcode and turn off Screen Time. After the process finishes, go to your iPhone and follow the on-screen instrcution to set up iPhone. You can find Screen Time disabled in Settings.

Disable Screen Time- Step 4

2. Log out and Re-log into Your Apple ID

EaseUS MobiUnlock is indeed a reliable and practical third-party tool for Screen Time passcode removal. However, if a piece of third-party software is your last option, you can try the methods below.

When your Screen Time passcode isn't working, you can log out of your Apple ID and re-login. Here's how:

Step 1. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.

Step 2. Then enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off > Sign Out.

Step 3. Restart your iPhone. From Settings, tap Sign in to your iPhone.

Step 4. Then enter your Apple ID and password to log in.

sign out of your Apple ID

Once you restart the device and re-log into your Apple ID, see if you can use the correct passcode to unlock the Screen Time lock.

3. Update to the Latest Version of iOS

If your iPhone is running a relatively low iOS version, updating to the latest iOS version is worth trying. Sometimes, an old operating system can also lead to questions and bugs.

To iron out possible bugs, perform the following steps to update to the latest version of your iPhone:

Step 1. From Settings, go to General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.

Step 2. Turn on the toggle of Download iOS Updates.

Step 3. Turn on the toggle of Install iOS Updates.

update to the latest version

If the problem is still left outstanding and unresolved, move to the next workaround or you can use the all-in-one EaseUS MobiUnlock directly.

4. Reset Your Passcode from Settings

If you think this problem is a direct result of the wrong passcode, then you can reset it.

It is quite easy to reset the Screen Time passcode. Just follow the instruction step by step below:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode.

Step 2. On the next pop-up window, tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.

select Change Screen Time Passcode

Step 3. In the passcode typing screen, tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.

Step 4. Then you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password for verification.

Step 5. When you're done, enter a new Screen Time passcode.

enter a new passcode

If you want to reset Screen Time passcode without Apple ID, click here to learn more.

5. Restore Your iPhone via iTunes

It may not be feasible if you want to factory reset your iPhone from Settings to erase all the data on your iPhone. That is because you will be asked to enter the device passcode and the Screen Time passcode before a standard factory reset. However, iTunes is capable of that. Make sure you back up iPhone to computer or iCloud before a data reset.

Here's how to restore your iPhone to its factory status via iTunes:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your PC via a USB cable.

Step 2. Launch iTunes on your computer.

Step 3. Click the Mobile Phone Device icon on the left of the screen.

Step 4. Click Summary to continue. To reset your device, click the Restore iPhone option under the information on your iOS version.

Step 5. Click Restore on the pop-up prompt window to restore your iPhone now.

select the Restore iPhone button

It is not very recommended to try this method if you have no backup of your device.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have covered five solutions to help you address the Screen Time passcode not working. If you just forget the Screen Time passcode, you can reset it by entering your Apple ID and password. If you can't find any reason and don't even have a clue about that bug, it is recommended to try EaseUS MobiUnlock (100% working).

FAQs on Screen Time Passcode Not Working

For more information on the Screen Time passcode not working, you are welcome to check the frequently asked questions below.

1. Can I perform a standard factory reset from Settings when I forget the Screen Time passcode?

No. If you set up a Screen Time passcode, you will be prompted to enter the passcode to verify your identity. If you forget the Screen Time passcode, you can enter your Apple ID and password to reset it by tapping the Forgot Passcode? option. If it doesn't work, you can try the all-in-one EaseUS MobiUnlock solution.

2. Is watching 12 hours of television bad?

As science and technology develop, people are increasingly reliant on their mobile phones. On how much screen time is appropriate for adults, there is no general consensus. Generally speaking, using screens to watch TV for about two hours a day is ideal for most people.

3. How do I change the Screen Time passcode of my kid's device?

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  • Select your kid's name under Family.
  • Then select Change Screen Time Passcode.
  • Tap Change Screen Time Passcode again to continue.
  • Authenticate with your Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
  • Then you can enter a new Screen Time passcode.

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Updated by Daisy

Daisy is the Senior editor of the writing team for EaseUS. She has been working in EaseUS for over ten years, starting from a technical writer to a team leader of the content group. As a professional author for over 10 years, she writes a lot to help people overcome their tech troubles.

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Written by Gorilla

Gorilla joined EaseUS in 2022. As a smartphone lover, she stays on top of Android unlocking skills and iOS troubleshooting tips. In addition, she also devotes herself to data recovery and transfer issues.

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