2025 Pinfinder Review: Is It Safe and Free to Use?

Forgetting your Screen Time passcode doesn’t just block your apps, which also restricts how you use your iPhone or iPad altogether. And when you search for a fix, one tool that often turns up in forums and helps threads is Pinfinder. However, when you set out to find it, things get confusing—where to download it, how to install it, or even which iOS versions it actually supports.

In this Pinfinder review, we’ll walk you through exactly what it can do, how it works, and situations where it cannot help you. And since Pinfinder doesn’t support recent iOS versions, we’ll also introduce Passixer iPhone Unlocker, a reliable yet up-to-date alternative that works on all devices, including those running iOS 18.

Before Using Pinfinder: What You Need to Know

Pinfinder isn’t your typical Screen Time unlocking utility. It comes with its own limitations and hidden strengths. To help you decide whether it’s the right tool for your situation, let’s first quickly walk through what it is, how it works, and what others have said after using it.

What is Pinfinder?

Pinfinder is a lightweight, command-line based tool built for a single purpose: retrieving the existing Screen Time passcode from iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices. However, there’s a catch: it only works on iOS versions between 7.0 and 12.4. So, if your device has been updated any time after 2019, the utility will not be compatible. As a result, Pinfinder is now useful only for a small and shrinking number of older models.

How Does Pinfinder Work?

Pinfinder works by scanning a local iTunes backup of your iPhone or iPad to recover the Restrictions passcode. You just need to create a manual backup using iTunes beforehand and Pinfinder does the rest. The process doesn’t touch your device directly, which means there’s zero risk of data loss.

Here’s how: iTunes backups used to store nearly everything for older iOS devices like app data and settings. Yes, the Screen Time passcode is included, which was known back then, the Restrictions passcode.

What Do Users Say About Pinfinder?

Most of what people say about Pinfinder comes from a time when it really mattered, back when iOS 12 was the standard and this little tool was solving a very real need.

Take Josh Wurdemann, who said, “It worked and it’s free. Follow the steps, and if you get stuck look at the FAQ page. Thanks again!” That pretty much sums up how well it did its job for those it supported—simple, useful, and surprisingly reliable.

Others were eager for more. One user, zjoshuac, commented six years ago, “Dude you should definitely have this work for iOS 13 beta!” And even as recently as two years ago, Pan LED chimed in with a hopeful “iOS 16 when?”

However, Gareth, the developer, has been honest from the start. He explained that expanding beyond iOS 12 wasn’t something he could realistically do, writing, “It’s far beyond my time and ability.”

So yes, users genuinely appreciated Pinfinder back when it was relevant.

Is Pinfinder Free and Safe?

Yes, and that’s exactly what made it special. Pinfinder wasn’t built to sell. It’s an open-source tool created more out of passion than profit. This shows in how it was maintained, which is also why support was never extended past iOS 12. However, back when it worked, it truly mattered because while other tools were charging US$ 20 to US$ 30 for the same job, Pinfinder did it for free.

In terms of safety, it’s completely secure to use. Pinfinder is a simple script-based tool that doesn’t touch your phone. Instead, it only scans your local iTunes backup. On Windows and older Macs, it runs without issue. And yes, if you’re using macOS Mojave (10.14) or newer, you will run into a small hiccup.

Fortunately, the developer explained exactly how to fix it: just grant your Terminal app full disk access.

How to Use Pinfinder on Windows/Mac

Whether you’re using a Windows PC or a Mac, the steps to run Pinfinder are nearly identical.

Before diving in, there’s one important requirement: you need to have iTunes installed. iTunes is still available for download and older macOS versions continue to support it just fine.

Once you’ve got iTunes set up, connect your iPhone or iPad and create a local backup. Be sure to check the “Encrypt iPhone Backup” option during the process and set a password when prompted. This encryption is critical. Without it, Pinfinder won’t be able to retrieve your Screen Time passcode.

Once that’s done, here’s how to use Pinfinder:

Step 1: Download Pinfinder Latest Version

• Head to pinfinder.net.
• From the sidebar on the left, choose your platform: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
• Then, scroll to find the link that says Download the latest version and click to begin.



• Once there, you’ll see the latest available version neatly listed: Windows (32-bit or 64-bit) and macOS. Click on the installer link to download it on your machine.

Step 2: Recover Screen Time Passcode with Pinfinder

• After downloading the .zip (Windows) or .tar.gz (macOS) file, unpack it. Once extracted, right-click on the Pinfinder file and select Open. (Windows users: choose Run as Administrator.)



• With the tool open, type in the iTunes backup encryption password you set earlier. This lets Pinfinder access the data it needs to recover the passcode.



• Wait a few minutes, depending on backup size. Pinfinder will scan your system for available encrypted iTunes backups. Once found, it’ll display the Restrictions passcode next to each backup entry.

The most recent backup listed first and your four-digit Screen Time passcode will be shown. 

Step 3: Turn off Screen Time with Found Passcode

If Pinfinder was successful in cracking the 4-digit code, switch over to your device and turn it off for good. However, you will have to do it manually. The steps are simple, but to make it clear, we will cover steps depending on your iOS version. Follow along:

On iOS 11 or earlier

• Start by heading into Settings, tap General.
• Scroll down and tap Restrictions.
• When prompted, enter the passcode uncovered by Pinfinder.  



• Inside that menu, scroll to the bottom and select Disable Restrictions.
• Re-enter the same passcode one last time to confirm. After that, the Restrictions will be gone.

iOS 12

• From the Settings menu, tap Screen Time and you’ll find it right near the top.
• Inside, select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode, type in the code found by Pinfinder, and confirm when the menu slides up from the bottom.

With that, the passcode is gone. You’re free to reset Screen Time, leave it off, or set a new one, whatever fits your next move.

Top Alternative to Pinfinder for iOS 18 Screen Time Removal

Pinfinder may have earned its praise in the early days, but anything beyond iOS 12.4, even including versions like 12.5.7 or the latest iOS 18, will require something far more advanced. That’s where Passixer iPhone Unlocker steps in.

Whether you’re trying to remove Screen Time entirely or recover the Screen Time passcode, Passixer is the go-to solution for all iPad, iPhones, and iPod Touch, including the newest models.

Why is Passixer iPhone Unlocker Recommended?

Passixer’s Screen Time Removal stands out for one reason: it works across all iOS versions and all device types from iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Unlike older tools like Pinfinder, Passixer uses a smarter yet more dynamic method to remove Screen Time restrictions directly from the device, regardless of whether you’re on iOS 7 or iOS 18.

Passixer offers two intelligent workflows: one designed for older iOS systems, and another that handles everything from iOS 12 onward with real-time unlocking technology. In fact, if you’re using a newer macOS device or when you can’t create a traditional iTunes backup, Passixer will still be fully functional for the newer iOS devices.

Key Features

• Complete Screen Time removal while keeping device content intact.
• Remove any kind of screen locks, such as Face ID, 4-digit code, and 6-digit password.
• Bypasses iCloud Activation Lock with high consistency and precision.
• Remove Apple ID from your second-hand iPhone, enabling you to sign in to the device with your own account.

How to Use Passixer to Recover or Turn off Screen Time on All iOS Versions:

Step 1. Launch Passixer on your computer and choose Screen Time from the main screen. It’s the option made specifically for retrieving or removing passcodes based on your iOS version.

Step 2. Use a stable USB cable to connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer.

Step 3. Hit the Start button to begin the process. What happens next depends on your iOS version:

• If your device is running iOS 12 or later, Passixer will directly remove the Screen Time passcode from the system without data loss.



• If you’re on iOS 11 or earlier, Passixer will recover the older Restrictions passcode instead. Just make sure there’s an iTunes backup saved on the computer. You’ll soon see the four-digit code displayed on the screen.

Once that’s done, you’re free to adjust or turn off Screen Time settings however you like.

Pinfinder VS Passixer: Which One to Choose

To make the differences clearer, here’s a side-by-side comparison of how Pinfinder and Passixer stack up—feature by feature.

Wrap Up

Pinfinder, while once a beloved tool, belongs to an earlier iOS era. It still works for a small set of older devices, but during testing, its success was limited and inconsistent.

Passixer Screen Time Removal tool, on the other hand, has kept up with the Apple’s evolving tech. It’s built to handle both the newest versions of iOS and the oldest devices. More importantly, it recovers or removes Screen Time passcodes using far more advanced methods and delivers those results with a consistently high success rate. With just a click, it can lift the passcode restrictions and let you reset or disable Screen Time entirely.