How to Reset Forgotten Screen Time Passcode in iOS 12

Forgetting your Screen Time passcode on iOS 12 can be challenging because Apple did not introduce a built-in "Forgot Passcode" recovery option using your Apple ID until iOS 13.4. Consequently, recovering or removing the passcode requires either updating your device to a newer iOS version if supported, or performing a factory reset and setting up the device as new to completely remove the restriction.

If your device supports iOS 13 or later (iPhone 6s and newer), the simplest solution is to update the operating system, which unlocks Apple's native reset feature.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Download and install the latest available update.
  3. Once updated, go to Settings > Screen Time.
  4. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap it again to confirm.
  5. Tap Forgot Passcode?.
  6. Enter the Apple ID and password used to set up the Screen Time passcode.
  7. Enter a new Screen Time passcode and confirm it.

Method 2: Erase and Restore the Device

If your device cannot update beyond iOS 12 (such as an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or original iPad Air), Apple's official resolution requires erasing the device and setting it up as new. Standard backups made after the passcode was set will retain the passcode, so you cannot restore from a recent full backup.

Step 1: Sync Your Data to iCloud

Before erasing, ensure your critical data is synced (not backed up) to iCloud so it can be re-downloaded later:

  1. Open Settings and tap your Apple ID banner at the top.
  2. Tap iCloud.
  3. Toggle on everything you need to keep, including Photos, Contacts, Notes, and Messages.

Step 2: Factory Reset the Device

  1. Connect your device to a computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
  2. Put your device into Recovery Mode:
    • iPhone 6s or earlier / iPads with a Home button: Press and hold both the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time until the recovery mode screen appears.
  3. When prompted on your computer to Update or Restore, choose Restore.
  4. Wait for the process to complete.

Step 3: Set Up as New

  1. Once the restore finishes, follow the on-screen setup prompts on your device.
  2. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, select Don't Transfer Apps & Data (or Set Up as New iPhone).
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID. Your contacts, photos, and iCloud-synced data will download automatically without restoring the forgotten Screen Time passcode.