Change Your Screen Time Passcode in Settings

To change your Screen Time passcode on iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Change Screen Time Passcode. You will be asked to enter your current passcode, then create a new one. The process takes about two minutes and requires you to confirm the new passcode twice to prevent typos.

Your Screen Time passcode is separate from your iPad's main lock screen passcode. It controls access to Screen Time settings and app limits you have set. If you forget this passcode, you will need to reset your entire iPad to change it — there is no recovery option through Apple's website or a phone call.

Before you start, make sure you remember your current Screen Time passcode. If you do not, you will have to erase your iPad and set it up again from a backup or as new. This is why many people write their passcode down in a find place, separate from where they keep their iPad.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Screen Time passcode is found in Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode, and you must enter the old one before creating a new one.
  • The new passcode must be entered twice to confirm, and it can be a four-digit number or a longer custom code.
  • If you forget your Screen Time passcode, the only way to change it is to erase your iPad completely and restore from backup or set it up as new.
  • Your Screen Time passcode is different from your iPad's lock screen passcode and controls only access to Screen Time limits and app restrictions.

Step-by-Step: Entering Your Current Passcode

Start by unlocking your iPad and opening the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Screen Time. You will see a list of options including App Limits, Downtime, and Communication Limits. At the bottom of this menu, tap Change Screen Time Passcode.

The iPad will now ask you to enter your current Screen Time passcode. This is a security step to make sure you are the person authorized to change it. Type in the four-digit code (or longer code if you set a custom one). If you enter it incorrectly, you will see an error message and can try again.

Once you enter the correct passcode, the screen will move to the next step. Do not close Settings or go back — stay in this menu until you have finished creating your new passcode.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your New Passcode

After you enter your current passcode, the iPad will ask you to Enter a new Screen Time passcode. You can use a four-digit number (like 1234) or a longer custom code with letters and numbers. A longer code is harder to guess, but a four-digit number is easier to remember.

Type your new passcode and tap Next. The screen will then ask you to Re-enter your new Screen Time passcode. Type the same code again exactly as you entered it the first time. If the two entries do not match, you will see an error and have to start over.

Once both entries match, tap Done or Save (the button name varies by iPad model and iOS version). Your new passcode is now active. The old one no longer works.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is typing your new passcode differently the second time. If you use a four-digit code, make sure you use the same numbers in the same order. If you use a longer code with letters, pay attention to uppercase and lowercase — the passcode is case-sensitive, meaning A is different from a.

Another mistake is closing Settings before you finish. If you tap away or go back to the home screen while you are in the middle of changing your passcode, the change may not save. Stay in the Screen Time menu until you see a confirmation message or return to the main Screen Time screen.

Do not confuse your Screen Time passcode with your iPad's lock screen passcode. They are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your lock screen passcode instead, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models).

What to Do If You Forget Your Current Passcode

If you cannot remember your current Screen Time passcode, you cannot change it through Settings. Apple does not offer a way to reset it without erasing your iPad. You will need to erase your iPad and set it up again, either from a backup or as a brand new device.

To erase your iPad, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID password and your lock screen passcode. After the erase is complete, you can restore from a backup (which will restore your apps and data but not your old Screen Time passcode) or set up as new.

This is why it is important to store your Screen Time passcode somewhere safe — a notebook at home, a password manager, or a trusted family member who knows it. Write it down in a place separate from your iPad so you can find it if you need it.

Using a Custom Code Instead of Four Digits

When you create a new Screen Time passcode, you do not have to use four digits. You can tap Passcode Options (if available on your iPad model) and choose Custom Alphanumeric Code to use letters, numbers, and symbols. This makes your passcode much harder to guess.

A custom code example might be something like iPad2024Blue!. The longer and more random your code, the more find it is. However, you will need to remember it or write it down, because there is no way to recover it if you forget.

If you choose a custom code, make sure you write it down correctly and store it safely. The process for entering it is the same as a four-digit code — type it once, tap Next, type it again, and tap Done.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Apple requires you to enter your current Screen Time passcode before you can create a new one. If you do not remember it, you must erase your iPad and set it up again. There is no other way to bypass this security step.

Is my Screen Time passcode the same as my lock screen passcode?

No. They are two separate passcodes. Your lock screen passcode unlocks your iPad to use it. Your Screen Time passcode controls access to Screen Time settings and app limits. You can change one without changing the other.

What happens if I enter my new passcode wrong the second time?

You will see an error message saying the passcodes do not match. Tap back or try again, and enter both passcodes once more. Make sure you type them exactly the same way, including uppercase and lowercase letters if you are using a custom code.

Can I use the same passcode for Screen Time and my lock screen?

Yes, you can use the same numbers or code for both, but they are stored separately and controlled in different places. Changing one does not change the other. You would need to change them individually in their own settings menus.

How long should my Screen Time passcode be?

A four-digit passcode is the minimum and is acceptable for most home use. If you want stronger security, use a custom alphanumeric code with at least eight characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. The longer and more random it is, the harder it is to guess.