6 Free and Paid Screen Time Removers for iPhone/iPad

A Screen Time remover tool can come in handy when you’ve forgotten the passcode. They’re designed to either reveal or clear the passcode. However, when you search online, you’ll find hundreds of options—most of them are untested, unreliable, or just fake. Some are ads in disguise. Others often wipe your iPhone in the name of “removal.”

That’s why we’ve tested and come up with a list of the most reliable tools including both paid and free tools. You’ll also find a browser-based method. So, no matter what your setup is, you’ll find a way to reset Screen Time and get your iDevice back to normal.

3 Paid Screen Time Remover Software for iPhone/iPad

Let’s start with the paid tools. As compared with free options that only work in some cases, these tend to be more reliable, easier to use, and often come with dedicated customer support.

Passixer iPhone Unlocker

Quick Overview

› How does it work: Utilize one-click yet cutting-edge technology to remove your Screen Time passcode without data loss.

› How much is it: US$ 29.99/month, US$ 39.99/year or US$69.99 lifetime.

› Compatible OS: Support all iOS versions (iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch), Windows (7 and later) and macOS.

What makes Passixer stands out in this list is that there’s no data loss after using its Screen Time removal feature, no matter which version your iDevice is running. For devices on iOS 11 and below, Passixer simply shows the Screen Time passcode on screen. For newer devices, it turns Screen Time off completely. And there are no changes made to your settings, apps, or personal data. The Screen Time setting removal process is automated and the self-guided interface makes everything clear as you go.

Key Features:

• Doesn’t require your Apple ID or password to remove Screen Time.
• Work for removing Screen Time, Apple ID, MDM or Activation Lock without credentials.
• Unlock iDevices locked due to forgetting passcode or broken screen.
• Available for both Windows and macOS, no special setup needed.

How to Use Passixer iPhone Unlocker:

Step 1. After installation, launch Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or Windows computer. Select Screen Time from the options on screen.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone using a USB cable and click the Start button to begin the removal process.

Step 3. The result will depend on your iOS versions:

› On iOS 11 or earlier: the passcode will be shown directly within the tool.

› On iOS 12 or later: Screen Time will be turned off instantly and you’ll see an instant OK verification message.

› On the iPhone itself, you can confirm it’s disabled: you’ll see the Turn On Screen Time option instead of the passcode screen.

Reviews

› What users like:

• Simple three-step process makes Screen Time removal fast and easy to use.
• No data loss.
• Multi-functional iPhone unlocker and one license supports up to six devices.
• Instant software delivery, multiple pricing options, and professional customer support.

› What users don’t like:

• Require Find My iPhone to be turned off before it can begin.

Decipher Backup Browser

Quick Overview:

› How does it work: Decrypt your encrypted iPhone backup to reveal hidden information like your Screen Time passcode.

› How much is it: US$ 9.99

› Compatible OS: iOS 12 and earlier, macOS Sierra and above as well as Windows.

Decipher Backup Browser is one of the few tools that doesn’t touch your iPhone at all to find the 4-digit Screen Time passcode. It works entirely through your computer by decrypting backups you’ve already created quietly and quickly.

However, Apple stopped including Screen Time passcode in backups starting with iOS 13. So, this tool will only work for devices running iOS 12 and below. And even then, results aren’t always guaranteed—there are times when it fails to read the passcode, even from a valid backup.

How to Use Decipher Backup Browser:

Step 1. Start by creating an encrypted backup of your iPhone using iTunes or Finder.

Step 2. Launch Decipher Backup Browser. It’ll automatically find and list all the backups saved on your system. Select the desired one and enter the backup password.

Step 3. Once loaded, the interface will show several options. Choose Screen Time Passcode and the code (if retrieved successfully) will appear on the right pane.

Reviews

› What users like:

• Quick and it didn’t even need to connect to the iPhone.
• Found the passcode right after I entered the backup password.
• Simple interface.

› What users don’t like:

• Paid without noticing that it doesn’t work on newer versions.
• Sometimes it shows everything except the passcode, which is frustrating.
• Kept saying “couldn’t recover” even though I followed every step.

iBackupBot for iTunes

Quick Overview:

› How does it work: It uses a configuration profile embedded inside a custom backup, tricking your iPhone into thinking Screen Time settings were never there in the first place. Find My iPhone must be turned off for it to work.

› How much it is: US$ 34.95

› Compatible OS: iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch running iOS 9.3.5 or later.

Note: In our testing, this method didn’t work on iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Screen Time remained active after using it.

iBackupBot isn’t something built to remove Screen Time at all. It is a tool made to access iPhone’s backup files and make small changes on things Apple normally keeps hidden. This is important to mention because you won’t find any special button here to turn off Screen Time. Despite the fact that it is a paid tool, it is also difficult to work with. The tool works by using a custom profile that tells your phone those settings were never there to begin with. However, here’s the catch and it doesn’t come with that profile.

You’ll need to find a Screen Time configuration profile online, usually from sites like supervise.me. In iOS 17+, Apple has hardened profile injection tricks, so Screen Time will remain active. Therefore, don’t buy the software if you’re on the latest version.

How to Use iBackupBot:

Step 1. Connect the iPhone to the computer. Make sure Find My is turned off first, or the restore simply won’t go through.

Step 2. Once iBackupBot launches, tap the small folder icon at the top left and upload the configuration profile you found on the internet.

Step 3. Hit Restore. Enter your password that comes with the configuration profile. Then wait for the Restore Completedmessage to show up.

When your iPhone restarts, Screen Time will no longer be active.

Reviews

› What users like:

• Trick Screen Time feature into thinking it was never turned on.
• Often work well for iOS 9 through iOS 15, especially when restoring clean profiles.

› What users don’t like:

• You need to find your own config files and nothing is built into the tool.
• Some users report broken backups or partially working iPhones after restore.
• Too expensive for something that doesn’t even focus on Screen Time directly.

2 Free Screen Time Remover Software for iPhone/iPad

Now coming to the free and no-cost Screen Time removers: there are two methods worth noting. One is a third-party utility that supports devices up to iOS 12. The other is an official workaround, so it works across all iOS models and platforms. Let’s take a closer look at how each one functions.

Pinfinder

Quick Overview:

› How does it work: Recover the Screen Time passcode by scanning your local encrypted iTunes backup through a command-line interface.

› Compatible OS: iOS 8 through iOS 12.4, Linux, Windows, Mac

PinFinder is a small yet independent project. It is similar to Decipher Backup Browser in its operation and uses the same mechanism to find the 4-digit restriction key. However, PinFinder doesn’t have a graphic interface. It runs through your system’s command line. Still, that doesn’t make it hard to use.

How to Use PinFinder:

Step 1. Open the Security & Privacy pane in System Preferences, select the Privacy tab and add the Terminal program.

Step 2. Launch PinFinder. Click Allow when the warning appears. Let it scan your backups. When prompted, enter the encrypted backup key.

Step 3. Next to the most recent backup (usually at the top), you’ll see the restriction passcode, e.g., 1234.

That’s it! You can use the code to change or remove the Screen Time lock.

Reviews:

› What users like:

• Free with a direct focus on Screen Time.
• Have a dedicated page with direct download links (rare for GitHub tools).
• Run with clear instructions and take just one command to work.

› What users don’t like:

• Don’t work on iOS 13 or later.
• On older macOS versions like Mojave, terminal permissions are needed, which adds a bit of complexity.

iTunes/Apple Devices/Finder

Quick Overview:

› How does it work: Perform a full factory reset, erasing all data and settings, including Screen Time restrictions.

› Compatible OS: All iOS devices and available via iTunes, Apple Devices (on Windows), or Finder (on macOS).

Factory resetting erases your iPhone entirely: your data, apps, settings, and yes, Screen Time restrictions too. You can always create a backup beforehand and restore your data later if needed. Just remember: this only works if Find My is disabled. If it’s still enabled, the device will trigger Activation Lock after the reset, prompting you to sign in with the original Apple ID. And to disable Find My beforehand, you’ll need that same Apple ID and password upfront.

As long as you either have those credentials or Find My is already off, the reset process is straightforward and works the same whether you’re using a Mac or a Windows PC.

How to Use iTunes/Finder/Apple Devices to Remove Screen Time Restrictions:

Step 1. Switch off the Find My feature before proceeding.

Step 2. On your computer, open iTunes, Finder (for newer Macs), or the Apple Devices app (for Windows 10 or later). Connect your iPhone via USB and it will appear under Devices.

Step 3. Make sure you’re on the General tab, then click Restore iPhone.

Step 4. Choose whether you want to Back Up or Don’t Back Up when the pop-up appears. After making your choice, click Restore to confirm.

The iPhone will erase itself and restart with the Hello screen, just like it did when it came out of the box.

Reviews:

› What users like:

• Let users easily clear forgotten Screen Time passcode with a full reset.
• Free to use and officially supported by Apple.

› What users don’t like:

• You’ll have to erase everything just for removing a passcode.
• Fail if Find My is still turned on.

A Free Screen Time Remover Website for iPhone/iPad

There isn’t any official or third-party website built specifically to remove Screen Time restrictions. However, if you don’t have access to a computer or simply want to use a browser, there’s a workaround. You can use Apple’s own iCloud site to remotely erase your iPhone.

iCloud.site

Quick Overview:

› How does it work: Erase your iPhone remotely through your iCloud account.

› Compatible devices: All iPhone models and work from any web browser, on any device.

iCloud is meant for lost or stolen devices, but the same feature can clear Screen Time too. You will just need your Apple ID and a trusted browser. Even two-factor authentication isn’t required again if you’re already signed in to iCloud on your browser.

However, keep in mind that it doesn’t offer much over iTunes or Finder method. In fact, you won’t be able to create a backup and you won’t get much control. However, if your only goal is to bypass Screen Time passcode remotely, this gets it done within seconds.

How to use iCloud.com/find to erase Screen Time settings:

Step 1. Grab any phone or laptop and open a browser. Go to icloud.com/find, click Sign in and enter the same Apple ID linked to your iPhone.

Step 2. Once you’re in, tap All Devices at the top. Then, select your iPhone. From the options, tap Erase This iPhone.

Step 3. A confirmation will appear: reminding you that all contents and Settings (including Screen Time) will be wiped. Tap Erase once more.

Your iPhone will reset itself automatically. You’ll see the Hello screen, but you’ll have to enter the original Apple ID and password to unlock Activation Lock before you can set it up.

Reviews:

› What users like:

• Just a few clicks to reset the iPhone from a browser.
• No 2FA step if you’re already signed in to the browser.

› What users don’t like:

• Put the phone into Activation Lock afterward—many didn’t see that coming.
• Remove Screen Time at the cost of losing data.

What’s ScreenTimeUnlock App?

Some parents have recently noticed something called ScreenTimeUnlock App appearing on their child’s iPhone and assumed it was a standalone app. It’s not. It’s actually part of Apple’s built-in Screen Time interface.

When a time limit runs out, the iPhone shows a prompt with option: Ask for More Time, through which your child can use options like: Approve for 15 Minutes or Approve for an Hour. However, this is only possible when the correct Screen Time passcode is entered. Keep in mind that many children have started using screen recorders to memorize the code as it is entered and then reuse it later to extend their access.

And when that happens, you will see ScreenTimeUnlock appear in your usage reports, even though no actual app was opened.

To prevent this, avoid entering the code in front of them. Better yet, you can manage approvals remotely from your own device.

Final Words

And that’s all. After thorough testing and real use, these are the Screen Time removers that made the cut. Whether you’re looking for a free tool, a browser-based method, or a full-featured app, you’ll find something here that works for your situation.

If you’re after the method that delivers consistently with a high success rate and zero-second guesses, Passixer iPhone Unlocker is the one. It’s built specifically to remove Screen Time. Plus, it works across all iOS versions and can remove Screen Time in three simple clicks.