How to change your screen time passcode
You change a screen time passcode by going into Settings, finding Screen Time, and selecting the option to change your passcode. The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but the process takes about two minutes on any device. You will need to know your current passcode to create a new one — if you have forgotten it, you will need to reset your device or use your Apple ID to recover access.
Screen time passcodes lock down app limits, downtime schedules, and privacy settings so that other people (usually children) cannot change them without permission. Unlike your device passcode, which unlocks the phone itself, a screen time passcode only protects the screen time settings. If you share a device or manage screen time for someone else, changing this passcode regularly is a practical way to keep those restrictions in place.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, tap your name or "Change Screen Time Passcode", and enter your current passcode before creating a new one.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click Screen Time in the sidebar, click Options, and follow the same process to enter your current passcode and set a new one.
- You must remember your current passcode to change it; if you forget it, you will need to erase the device or use your Apple ID recovery option.
- A screen time passcode is separate from your device passcode and only protects screen time settings, not access to the phone or computer itself.
- If you set up screen time with a family member's Apple ID, you may need to use that account to change the passcode.
Steps to change screen time passcode on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time. If you are the device owner, you will see your name at the top of the screen. Tap your name or look for an option that says Change Screen Time Passcode.
When you tap that option, the system will ask you to enter your current screen time passcode. Type it in. After you enter it correctly, you will see a field to create your new passcode. Enter a four-digit code that you will remember. The system will ask you to enter it again to confirm. Once you confirm, the new passcode takes effect immediately.
If you do not see a "Change Screen Time Passcode" option, scroll down in the Screen Time menu. On some versions of iOS or iPadOS, the option appears lower on the page. If you still cannot find it, make sure you are logged into the device with the Apple ID that set up screen time originally.
Steps to change screen time passcode on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). In the sidebar on the left, click Screen Time.
Click the Options button in the lower-left corner of the Screen Time window. You will see a field asking for your current screen time passcode. Enter it. After you enter it correctly, you will be able to create a new four-digit passcode. Type your new code, then type it again to confirm. Click Done or OK to save the change.
On some Mac models, the button may say Change Passcode instead of Options. The process is the same either way.
What to do if you forgot your screen time passcode
If you cannot remember your current screen time passcode, you have two main options. The first is to use your Apple ID to reset it. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, and when prompted, tap Forgot Passcode? You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. After you do, you can create a new passcode without entering the old one.
On Mac, the process is similar: go to System Settings > Screen Time > Options, and look for a link that says Forgot Passcode? or Reset Using Apple ID. Click it and sign in with your Apple ID to reset the passcode.
If you do not have access to the Apple ID that set up screen time, or if the "Forgot Passcode" option does not appear, you will need to erase the device and set it up again. This is a last resort and will delete all data on the device unless you restore from a backup. Contact Apple Support if you reach this point.
Screen time passcode versus device passcode
A screen time passcode and a device passcode are two separate things. Your device passcode (or Face ID or Touch ID) unlocks your phone or computer so you can use it at all. Your screen time passcode only protects the screen time settings — app limits, downtime, and content restrictions. Someone who knows your device passcode can still use your phone, but they cannot change your screen time settings without knowing the screen time passcode.
This separation is intentional. Parents often set a screen time passcode on a child's device so the child cannot remove app limits or turn off downtime, even if they somehow learn the device passcode. The two passcodes work independently.
When you share a device with family members
If you use Family Sharing and manage screen time for a family member, the passcode change process is the same on your own device. However, you cannot change the screen time passcode on someone else's device remotely — you must do it on that device in person. If a family member forgets their screen time passcode, they can use the "Forgot Passcode" option with their own Apple ID, or you can help them reset it if you have access to the device.
If you set up screen time using a family organizer's Apple ID (rather than the device owner's ID), you may need to use that organizer's account to change the passcode. Check your Screen Time settings to see whose Apple ID is linked to the screen time setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my screen time passcode without knowing the old one?
No, not without using your Apple ID. If you remember your Apple ID password, you can tap "Forgot Passcode?" and sign in to reset it. If you do not have access to that Apple ID, you will need to erase the device and set it up again.
Is my screen time passcode the same as my Apple ID password?
No. Your screen time passcode is a separate four-digit code that only controls screen time settings. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into your Apple account. You can change one without changing the other.
What happens if I change my screen time passcode on a shared device?
The new passcode takes effect immediately on that device. If other people use the device, they will not be able to change screen time settings without the new passcode. The change does not affect screen time passcodes on other devices.
Can I use a passcode longer than four digits?
No. Screen time passcodes are always four digits. You cannot create a longer code or use letters. If you want a more secure passcode, consider using a combination of numbers that is harder to guess.
Do I need to change my screen time passcode regularly?
That depends on your situation. If you manage screen time for a child, changing it occasionally can help prevent them from figuring out a pattern. If you are the only person who uses the device, changing it is not necessary for security reasons.