FIXED: No Option for Forgot Screen Time Passcode

If you’ve forgotten your Screen Time passcode on your iPhone, you can usually reset it if you remember your Apple ID and password. However, some users have reported that the option to reset the forgotten Screen Time passcode isn’t available.

The absence of the “Forgot Passcode?” option for Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad can be due to three primary reasons:

• Wrong Interface: This option won’t appear if you’re resetting settings or erasing data. It’s only available when you’re specifically changing the Screen Time passcode.
• Family Sharing or MDM Control: If your device is part of Family Sharing or managed by Mobile Device Management (MDM) and the Screen Time lock is set by the organizer, this option won’t be visible. You need to discuss it with the organizer for changes.
• Incompatible iOS Version or Device: The “Forgot Passcode?” option is unavailable if your device runs on an iOS version older than 13.4 or if your device is too old to support iOS 13.4 or later.

You can typically resolve it by following these steps.

1. Update iOS Version

If you’re not seeing the “Forgot Passcode” option on your iPhone for Screen Time, updating to the latest operating system may solve the problem. Many users have found that this option becomes available after an update. Here’s how you can update your iPhone:

1. Open the ‘Settings’ app and navigate to ‘General‘.
   

   

2. Tap on ‘Software Update‘.
   

   

3. If an update is available, download and install the latest iOS version.
   

   

2. Sign out of Apple ID and Back in

Sometimes, just signing out and then signing back into your Apple ID can help by refreshing your account settings and resolving the issue. Here’s a straightforward way to do it:

1. Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app. At the top, you’ll see your name and Apple ID photo. Tap on this.
   

   

2. Scroll to the bottom and select “Sign Out” to log out of your Apple ID.
   

   

3. Before signing out, make sure to enable the toggles for backing up important data. Then, confirm by tapping “Sign Out” at the top right. You might need to enter your passcode.
   

   

After signing out, simply sign back in with your Apple ID.

3. Reset Screen Time Passcode via Mac

If you’re dealing with the missing “Forgot Screen Time passcode” option on your iPhone and you have the same Apple ID logged in on your Mac, you can reset the Screen Time passcode using your Mac. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the Apple icon at the top-left corner of your Mac to open the menu. Select “System Preferences” and then choose “Screen Time.”
   

   

2. In the Screen Time settings, click on “Change Passcode.”
   

   

3. Then select the “Forgot Passcode” option.
   

   

4. To reset the passcode, you’ll need to enter your Apple ID and its corresponding password.
   

   

5. Once verified, you can set a new Screen Time passcode.
   

   

Note: You can only reset the password for your iPhone from a Mac if you have the ‘Share Across Devices‘ feature enabled. The new passcode will automatically be updated on all devices linked through this setting.

4. Use a Third-Party iOS Problem-Solving Software

If you can’t change your Screen Time passcode because the ‘forgot passcode’ option isn’t available, you can turn to third-party software solutions. These tools are designed to help you bypass or reset the Screen Time passcode without needing the original code.

Some of the best tools for this purpose are:

1. MagFone
2. iSumsoft
3. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker
4. EaseUS MobiUnlock

To reset your Screen Time passcode using third-party software, first install reliable software on your computer. Open it and select the Screen Time passcode removal option. Connect your device to the computer, follow the instructions to remove the passcode, possibly disabling ‘Find My iPhone‘ if prompted.

Once the process completes and your device restarts, you can set a new Screen Time passcode. Remember, while these steps are general and apply to most third-party unlocking software, it’s crucial to follow the specific instructions provided by the software you choose to use. Always ensure that the software is from a reliable and trustworthy source to avoid any security risks.

5. Ask the Family Organizer

If your Apple ID is linked as a child account within an Apple Family group, you won’t have access to the “Forgot Passcode” option for Screen Time on your iPhone. This is because the ability to remove or change the passcode is reserved for the family organizer.

For family organizers looking to remove or modify the Screen Time passcode for a child account, the process is straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Launch the ‘Settings‘ app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on your profile picture and name at the top of the menu to enter the Apple ID screen.
   

   

2. Tap on ‘Family Sharing‘ to view the Family Sharing settings.
   

   

3. In the Family Sharing settings, select ‘Screen Time‘.
   

   

4. Tap on the name of the child for whom you want to change the Screen Time passcode.
   

   

5. Scroll down to the bottom and tap ‘Change Screen Time Passcode.’ You’ll see a note about needing your device’s passcode for further actions.
   

   

6. Tap ‘Change Screen Time Passcode‘ again and authenticate using your Face ID or device passcode.
   

   

7. Enter the new Screen Time passcode for your child as prompted on the following screens. This new code will be required to override Screen Time settings for that child in the future.
   
   

   

6. Reset All Settings on the iPhone

If none of the previous solutions work, your last option is to reset all settings on your iPhone. Unlike a factory reset, this process won’t lead to any loss of your data. It simply reverts all settings to their default state. Here’s how to reset all settings on your iPhone:

1. Open the ‘Settings‘ app on your iPhone and tap on ‘General‘.
   

   

2. Choose the ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone‘ option.
   

   

7. Contact Apple Support

If none of the above solutions work, your final step is to contact Apple Support. They possess extensive knowledge of iOS devices and can guide you in recovering or resetting your Screen Time passcode. Be prepared to provide details about your device, such as the model and operating system version, to assist them better.