Fast and Easy Hacks: Bypass Forgotten Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2024-08-13

5min read

Screen Time is a unique feature that comes with Apple devices to help manage and track your on-screen activities. With the feature, you can easily limit the number of hours spent on screen, especially for kids who spend the majority of their time on their iPhone or Mac.

One of the criteria for setting up Screen Time on Apple Devices is providing a passcode to secure your setup. If you have set a Screen Time passcode and need to make alterations to your Screen Time settings, you have to provide the passcode established while configuring the feature. So what happens when you forget the Screen Time passcode? Adjusting the settings becomes impossible but this post has got a way to go about it. Here, we will introduce the fast and easy hacks to bypass Screen Time passcode on Mac/iPhone/iPad.

Part 1. How to Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac

Below we have the 2 easy ways to bypass Screen Time on Mac without passcode and with/without data loss:

Way 1. Reset Passcode via Apple ID [macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or Later]

With your Apple ID, you can easily make changes to your Screen Time passcode on your Mac. However, the Mac must be operating on macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later versions. If your Mac meets this condition, then you can follow the detailed procedure below to reset your Screen Time passcode through your Apple ID account:

  • Go to the upper left-hand corner of your Mac home screen and click on the Apple icon.
  • Scroll and click on “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
  • Tap on “Screen Time” on the next page that appears.
  • To continue, click on “Change Passcode” > “Forgot Passcode”.
  • After that, type your Apple ID and the password that is connected to your Screen Time in the required field.
  • Input the new passcode you want to use for Screen Time setups, and confirm your entry by retyping the passcode in the next field provided.
  • Now, you have a new Screen Time passcode and it will be synced across all devices that share the same Apple ID account with you.

Reset Passcode on Mac | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

Way 2. Erase Mac (Data Loss)

Can’t remember the password to your Apple ID account? Consider erasing your Mac. When you do this, all installed configurations and data, such as Screen Time setups, etc., that you have on the device will be cleared, leaving behind the preinstalled data and settings. This solution could be completed via iCloud using the Find My option.

Check the illustrative guide below to erase your Mac and bypass Screen Time passcode on your Mac:

  • Open your preferred web browser, visit iCloud.com. and log in your Apple profile by filling out the required fields.
  • Visit iCloud | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

  • Enter the 2FA code sent to any of the devices that’s using your Apple ID to gain full access to your profile.
  • Swipe down the screen displayed and click on the Find My option.
  • Click Find My | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

  • Hit the drop-down menu beside the All Devices tab and click on your Mac from the list that pops up.
  • Hit All Devices | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

  • Click Erase This Device and provide your Apple ID password when the prompt appears. After that, your Mac will be erased and Screen Time passcode configuration will be removed.

Click Erase This Device | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

After erasing the device, you have to reconfigure it for usage. Now, you have to enter your Apple ID and password just like you did when you newly bought the device.

Part 2. How to Bypass Screen Time Passcode on iPhone/iPad [No Data Loss]

Not using a Mac but an iPhone or iPad that you would like to bypass Screen Time on? Below are the two simple ways to bypass Screen Time passcode on iPhone or iPad:

Method 1: Use Third Party Tool [All iOS Versions]

With third-party iOS unlock tools, you can easily bypass Screen Time passcode. However, it’s not just any iOS unlock tool but an outstanding one like Passixer iPhone Unlocker. This tool offers a simple way to remove Screen Time passcode from any model or iPhone or iPad without stress. Your data remains intact when using this iOS unlock solution for this operation, so you don’t have to worry about data loss. The software suits all scenarios that require Screen Time fixing, from when you lose your Screen Time passcode to remove Screen Time from used iDevices. If faced with other types of iOS lock issues like Screen Lock, iCloud Activation Lock, MDM lock, etc., on an iPhone or iPad, Passixer iPhone Unlocker can also come to your rescue.

Key Features

  • Bypass Screen Time restrictions without a passcode within a few steps.
  • Easily remove Mobile Device Management (MDM) from an iPhone or iPad without experiencing data loss.
  • Offers Apple ID removal for all iOS versions.
  • Usable with Windows and macOS.

Steps to Bypass Screen Time Passcode on iPhone or iPad Using Passixer iPhone Unlocker

Install the latest version of Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer, launch it and use the steps below to bypass Screen Time passcode:

Step 1: Choose Screen Time when the following screen appears:

Choose Screen Time | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

Next, plug the iPhone or iPad with Screen Time issue into your computer using a reliable USB cable. Once the software detects your device, click Start when the subsequent screen below:

Click Start | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

Step 2: The Screen Time passcode removal will start if you run your device on iOS 12.0 or later versions.

Remove Screen Time | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

However, if you use iOS 11.0 or earlier, then Screen Time passcode recovering may commence depending on whether you have iTunes backup encryption on your device or not. If iTunes backup encryption is off, Screen Time passcode recovering will commence.  

Screen Time Passcode Recovering | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

If the iTunes backup encryption is on, then you must decrypt the backup first. After doing that, Passixer iPhone Unlocker will scan your device and display your Screen Time passcode. Note down the passcode and enter it on your iPhone or iPad to turn off Screen Time or change Screen Time settings.

Method 2: Through Settings App [iOS 13.4 or Later]

Through the Settings app screen on your iPhone or iPad, you can bypass the forgotten Screen Time passcode. This approach allows you to modify the passcode to your Screen Time using your Apple ID details. However, to apply this solution, the device must operate on iOS 13.4 or later. If you meet this prerequisite, then follow the step-by-step guide below:

  • Hit the “Settings” icon on your iPhone or iPad screen.
  • Swipe down the menu and choose “Screen Time”.
  • On the next interface, click on “Change Screen Time Passcode”.
  • Tap on “Turn Off Screen Time Passcode” and select “Forgot Passcode?” on the subsequent screen.
  • Type the Apple ID and password linked to your iPhone/iPad.
  • Select Forgot Passcode | Bypass Screen Time Passcode on Mac/iPhone

  • After completing that, you have to input the new passcode to your Screen Time. Confirm the passcode by re-entering it and that’s all.

FAQs

How can I set up Screen Time Passcode?

You can set up Screen Time passcode in two ways:

If you are managing a device from Family Sharing

  • Open “Settings” and tap on “Screen Time”.
  • Swipe down the subsequent screen and click on the device you want to manage underneath the family sharing panel.
  • Follow the instructions that come up and enter the Screen Time passcode when the prompt appears.
  • Validate the passcode by re-entering it in the required field.

If you are managing a device without family sharing

  • On the device, open “Settings”.
  • Click on “Screen Time” and follow the onscreen instructions.
  • Once the prompt to provide your Screen Time passcode appears, enter the details in the required field.
  • Retype the Screen Time passcode for confirmation and that’s all.  

What’s the maximum failed attempts for Screen Time Passcode?

There’s no maximum number of times you can enter the wrong Screen Time passcode on your iPhone or iPad. However, a timer begins when to count after the fifth failed trial. Here is exactly what you will see afterwards:

  • 6th failed Screen Time Passcode attempts, try again in 1 minute.  
  • 7th failed Screen Time Passcode attempts, try again in 5 minutes.  
  • 8th failed Screen Time Passcode attempts, try again in 15 minutes.  
  • 9th failed Screen Time Passcode attempts, try again in 60 minutes.  
  • 10th failed Screen Time Passcode attempts, try again in 60 minutes.  

Subsequent trial after the 10th  and you will have to wait 60 minutes again to try again.

Conclusion

Bypassing Screen Time passcode on Mac or iPhone is no longer a difficult thing to do with the guide shared in this post. We discussed two fast and easy hacks each for both iPhone and Mac. You can follow the one that suits the device you have at hand. Of all the recommended solutions, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is the most preferred.

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