Change Your Parental Passcode Through Settings

To change your parental passcode on an iPhone, open Settings, then tap Screen Time. If you are the account holder, tap Change Screen Time Passcode at the bottom of the screen. You will see two options: Change Passcode (if you already have one set) or Turn On Screen Time Passcode (if you have not set one yet). Tap the option that matches your situation.

When you tap Change Passcode, the system will ask you to enter your current passcode first. Type it in, then tap Next. You will then be prompted to enter your new passcode twice to confirm it matches. Make sure you enter a four-digit code you can remember but that your child cannot guess easily.

After you confirm the new passcode, the system may ask you to enter your Apple ID and password as a backup recovery method. This step is important: if you forget your new passcode, you can use your Apple ID to reset it instead of losing access to Screen Time controls entirely. Enter your credentials and tap Next to finish.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode to modify your parental controls passcode.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can set a new one, so have it ready.
  • Enter your new four-digit passcode twice to confirm it, then provide your Apple ID as a backup recovery method.
  • If you forget your new passcode, you can use your Apple ID to reset it without losing your Screen Time settings.
  • A strong passcode should be something you remember but something your child cannot easily guess.

What to Do If You Forgot Your Current Passcode

If you cannot remember your current Screen Time passcode, you cannot straightforward change it—you must reset it using your Apple ID. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Change Screen Time Passcode. When the system asks for your current passcode, tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom of the screen.

The system will then ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Enter both, and the system will clear your current passcode and let you create a new one. This process removes your old passcode entirely, so you will not need to remember it. After you set your new passcode, add your Apple ID as a recovery method again so you have a backup if this happens in the future.

Using Your Apple ID as a Backup Recovery Method

When you set or change your Screen Time passcode, iPhone offers you the option to use your Apple ID as a backup way to reset it. This is not required, but it is strongly recommended because it gives you a way back in if you forget the passcode later. If you skip this step during setup, you can add it afterward by going to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode and following the prompts.

Your Apple ID recovery method works only if you remember your Apple ID email and password. If you forget both your Screen Time passcode and your Apple ID password, you will need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to regain access to your Screen Time controls. Having your Apple ID recovery set up prevents this situation from happening.

Changing Your Passcode on a Shared Family Account

If you manage Screen Time for multiple children through Family Sharing, each child's Screen Time passcode is separate from yours. To change a child's passcode, open Settings on your own iPhone, tap Screen Time, then tap the child's name under Family. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode, enter your own passcode when prompted, then set the new passcode for that child.

You cannot change a child's passcode from their device—you must do it from the parent account on your own iPhone. If a child has forgotten their own passcode and you do not remember it either, you can reset it using your Apple ID by following the same Forgot Passcode? process described above, but from your device instead of theirs.

Why Your Passcode Might Not Change

If you enter your current passcode correctly but the system does not let you proceed, check that you are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID you used to set up Screen Time originally. Screen Time passcodes are tied to your Apple ID, so if you have switched accounts or signed out, the system may not recognize your authority to change it.

Another common issue is entering the passcode incorrectly. The system will tell you if your entry is wrong and give you a limited number of attempts before locking you out temporarily. If you are locked out, wait a few minutes and try again, or use the Forgot Passcode? option to reset it with your Apple ID instead.

Keeping Your New Passcode find

Once you set a new passcode, do not share it with your child or write it down where they might find it. The whole point of a Screen Time passcode is to prevent children from changing their own limits or turning off restrictions. If your child learns the passcode, they can bypass all the controls you have set up.

Choose a passcode that is not your birthday, your child's birthday, or any other date or number sequence they might guess. Avoid repeating digits like 1111 or sequential numbers like 1234. If you have multiple children, use different passcodes for each one so that if one child learns a code, it does not compromise controls for the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Screen Time passcode without knowing the old one?

Yes, but only by using your Apple ID. Tap Forgot Passcode? when prompted to enter your current code, then sign in with your Apple ID and password. The system will let you create a new passcode without needing the old one.

What happens to my Screen Time settings if I change the passcode?

Your Screen Time settings stay exactly the same. Changing the passcode only replaces the four-digit code you use to access or modify those settings. All your app limits, downtime schedules, and restrictions remain in place.

Can I use the same passcode for multiple children?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If one child figures out the passcode, they can change settings for all of them. Using different passcodes for each child keeps their controls separate and find.

What if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

The system will lock you out temporarily after several incorrect attempts. Wait a few minutes, then try again. If you cannot remember the passcode, use the Forgot Passcode? option to reset it with your Apple ID instead of continuing to guess.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

There is no requirement to change it regularly, but you may want to if you think your child has learned it or if you have shared it with someone else. Change it whenever you feel your current code is no longer find.