How To Remove “Screen Time Passcode” With “Factory Reset”?

Forgetting a passcode is a common, yet frustrating, experience. When it’s the Screen Time passcode on your iPhone or iPad, it can feel like you’ve been locked out of managing your own device. This separate passcode, designed to secure content restrictions and monitor usage, can become a major hurdle if forgotten. One of the most suggested, yet drastic, solutions is a factory reset. But what does that really involve, and is it your only option?

A factory reset is often seen as the ultimate “nuke” option—a way to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. While it is an effective way to remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode, it comes with a significant consequence: the complete erasure of all data on your device. Understanding how this process works, what the risks are, and what alternatives exist is crucial before you take such a definitive step.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using a factory reset to remove a Screen Time passcode. We’ll cover the step-by-step instructions, the critical importance of backups, potential data loss scenarios, and less destructive alternative methods you should try first.

This article will cover:

• What the Screen Time passcode is and why it’s so secure.
• Step-by-step instructions on how to perform a factory reset using a computer.
• The critical role of backups and how to create one.
• The risks and considerations involved in a factory reset.
• Official Apple-supported alternatives that won’t erase your data.
• Answers to frequently asked questions about this process.

Understanding the Screen Time Passcode

Before we dive into solutions, let’s understand the problem. The Screen Time passcode is a four-digit code separate from your device’s main unlock passcode. Its purpose is to secure the Screen Time settings, which can include:

• Downtime: Scheduling time away from the screen.
• App Limits: Setting daily time limits for app categories.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Blocking explicit content, preventing purchases, and locking certain settings.

Because it’s designed to be used by parents to manage a child’s device or by individuals for self-discipline, it’s intentionally difficult to bypass. You can’t simply reset it from the settings menu without either the old passcode or the Apple ID credentials it was set up with. This security is what makes a forgotten passcode such a challenge.

The Nuclear Option: Using a Factory Reset to Remove the Passcode

A factory reset, also known as a restore, erases everything on your iPhone or iPad—apps, photos, settings, messages, and of course, the forgotten Screen Time passcode. It reverts the device to the state it was in when it first came out of the box.

This process cannot be done directly on the device if you don’t know the passcode, as the “Erase All Content and Settings” option is usually protected by it. Therefore, you must use a computer (a Mac or a Windows PC with iTunes) to force the device into Recovery Mode and perform the restore.

WARNING: This method will permanently delete all data on your device. Only proceed if you have a recent backup you can restore from, or if you are willing to lose all your data.

Step 1: Prepare for the Factory Reset (Crucial Pre-flight Checks)

Preparation is key to minimizing the pain of a factory reset.

A. Back Up Your Device (If Possible)

A backup is a complete copy of your device’s data. If you have a recent backup, you can restore it after the factory reset and get back most of your information without restoring the forgotten Screen Time passcode.

• Important Note: Make sure your backup was made before you set the Screen Time passcode you’ve forgotten. If you restore from a backup that includes the forgotten passcode, you will be right back where you started.

How to Back Up to iCloud:

1. Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
3. Tap on iCloud Backup.
4. Ensure iCloud Backup is turned on.
5. Tap Back Up Now and stay connected to Wi-Fi until the process is complete.

How to Back Up to a Computer:

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC.
2. On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later): Open Finder and select your device from the sidebar.
3. On a PC or older Mac: Open iTunes.
4. In the main device summary screen, under the “Backups” section, select “Back up all of the data on your [device] to this Mac/PC.”
5. Click Back Up Now.

B. Turn Off “Find My” (If You Know Your Apple ID Password)

The “Find My” feature includes a security measure called Activation Lock, which prevents anyone from erasing and reactivating your device without your Apple ID password. During a restore, this lock can sometimes complicate things. If you can, turning it off beforehand can be helpful, though Recovery Mode is designed to work even with it on (you’ll just need the password later).

To turn it off, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone/iPad and toggle it off. You will need to enter your Apple ID password.

Step 2: Performing the Factory Reset via Recovery Mode

With your preparations complete, it’s time to perform the factory reset.

What You’ll Need:

• Your iPhone or iPad.
• A Mac or a Windows PC. (Ensure your PC has the latest version of iTunes, or your Mac is up to date).
• A compatible USB cable.

Instructions:

1. Connect Your Device and Open Finder/iTunes: Plug your iPhone or iPad into your computer. Open Finder on a modern Mac or iTunes on a PC or older Mac.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: This is the most critical step, and the button combination varies by device model. You must continue holding the buttons until you see the recovery mode screen (an icon showing a cable pointing toward a computer), not the Apple logo.
3. • For iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd & 3rd gen): Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
   • For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and the Volume Down button at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.
   • For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time. Keep holding until the recovery mode screen appears.
   • For iPad models with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Top button until the recovery mode screen appears.
   • For iPad models with a Home button: Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time. Keep holding until you see the recovery mode screen.
3. Locate the Restore Option on Your Computer: Once your device is in Recovery Mode, your computer will detect it. A dialog box will appear in Finder or iTunes.
4. • It will present you with two options: Update or Restore.
   • You must select Restore. The “Update” option attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing data, which will not remove the Screen Time passcode.
4. Confirm and Wait: Your computer will ask you to confirm that you want to restore the device to its factory settings. Agree to the prompts. Your computer will then download the latest version of iOS or iPadOS for your device and begin the erasure and installation process. This can take a significant amount of time, so be patient and do not disconnect your device.
5. Set Up Your Device: Once the restore is complete, your iPhone or iPad will restart and display the “Hello” screen, as if it were a new device. You can now disconnect it from the computer and begin the setup process.

Step 3: Setting Up Your Device Post-Reset

During the setup process on your freshly reset device, you will reach the “Apps & Data” screen. Here you have a choice:

• Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac/PC Backup: Choose this if you have a clean backup (one made before the forgotten passcode was set). This will bring back your apps, photos, and settings.
• Set Up as New iPhone/iPad: Choose this if you have no backup or if your only backup contains the forgotten passcode. You will be starting from scratch.

After setting up, the Screen Time passcode will be gone, and you’ll have full access to all settings.

The Official Alternative: The “Forgot Passcode?” Option

Before you resort to a full factory reset, you should check if a much simpler, data-safe option is available to you. Starting with iOS 13.4, Apple introduced a way to reset the Screen Time passcode directly on the device using your Apple ID.

Requirements for this Method:

• Your device must be running iOS 13.4 / iPadOS 13.4 or later.
• You must have used an Apple ID to set up the Screen Time passcode originally.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap on Change Screen Time Passcode.
3. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
4. On the screen that asks for the old passcode, tap “Forgot Passcode?”
5. The Screen Time Passcode Recovery screen will appear. Enter the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the passcode.
6. Once verified, you will be prompted to enter a new Screen Time passcode.

This method takes only a minute and preserves all your data. It is by far the superior option if your device and setup are compatible. Always try this first before considering a factory reset.

Risks and Considerations of a Factory Reset

While a factory reset is effective, it’s important to be fully aware of the potential downsides.

• Total Data Loss: This is the most significant risk. If you don’t have a backup, everything on your device—photos, messages, app data, health data—will be permanently gone.
• Restoring the Wrong Backup: If you accidentally restore a backup that contains the forgotten Screen Time passcode, you will have wasted your time and will need to repeat the entire factory reset process.
• Activation Lock Complications: If Find My was enabled and you don’t know the Apple ID password, the factory reset will result in a device that is permanently locked to that Apple ID. It will be unusable.
• Time-Consuming Process: Downloading the OS, restoring the device, and then setting it up again (especially restoring from a backup) can take hours.

Conclusion: A Last Resort, Not a First Step

Using a factory reset to remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode is a powerful but destructive tool. It should be treated as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.

Before you even consider this path, always try the “Forgot Passcode?” feature within the Screen Time settings. This official, data-safe method is Apple’s intended solution for this exact problem and should be your first line of defense.

If that option isn’t available to you, then a factory reset via Recovery Mode is your most reliable path forward. However, its success hinges on having a clean, recent backup. Without one, you must be prepared to sacrifice your data for the sake of regaining control of your device. By carefully following the steps and understanding the risks involved, you can navigate this frustrating situation and get your iPhone or iPad back to a fully functional state.