In this digital age, screen time is essential for kids and adults alike. However, excessive screen time has been linked to various health and social issues. Thus, Apple introduced Screen Time to help users manage their screen time effectively. The Screen Time feature also enables users to monitor the usage of specific apps and restrict their usage. However, if you forget your Screen Time password, accessing your Screen Time settings becomes impossible. Therefore, it is crucial to learn how to reset screen time password.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before resetting Screen Time password, here are some things you will need:
– Your iPhone or iPad with iOS 12 or later
– A Mac with macOS Catalina or later
– Lightning to USB cable
– Internet Connection
What requires your focus?
1. Back up your iPhone or iPad before resetting Screen Time password since resetting will erase all the previous data.
2. Your Mac needs to be running macOS Catalina or later.
Method 1: Reset Screen Time Password with Apple ID
Follow these steps to reset screen time password using your Apple ID:
1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap on Screen Time.
2. Tap on Change Screen Time Passcode.
3. Select Forgot Passcode?
4. Enter the Apple ID credentials associated with your screen time passcode.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the screen time passcode.
6. After resetting, use the new passcode to access your Screen Time settings.
Pros:
– Very quick and easy method.
– No need for an additional app or tool.
Cons:
– You need to have access to your Apple ID credentials.
– Resetting the Screen Time password will erase all usage data, which is not safe if you want to keep track of previous usage statistics.
Method 2: Reset Screen Time Password with FoneGeek iOS Unlocker
FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker is a popular tool that can reset the Screen Time password and bypass parental controls. Here’s how to use FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker to reset screen time password:
1. Download and install FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker on your Mac.
2. Launch the program and select the "Unlock Screen Time Passcode" function.
3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac using a Lightning to USB cable.
4. Click on the "Start" button, and the software will begin verifying your device information.
5. After verifying your details, click "Download" to download the firmware package.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your Screen Time passcode.
Pros:
– FoneGeek Passcode Unlocker can bypass iPhone’s parental controls with ease.
– No need for an internet connection to reset Screen Time passcode.
Cons:
– You will have to purchase the software to use its services.
– Resetting Screen Time password will erase all usage data, which is not safe if you want to keep track of your previous usage statistics.
Method 3: Reset Screen Time Password with iTunes Backups
If you have synced your iOS device to iTunes, you can reset your Screen Time password with iTunes backups. Here’s how to reset screen time password using iTunes backups:
1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
2. Open iTunes and select your device.
3. Click on "Restore Backup" under the "Settings Summary" section.
4. Select the most recent backup and click on "Restore."
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
6. After restoring, access your Screen Time settings using your default passcode.
Pros:
– If you make regular backups, you can restore data even if you lose it accidently.
– You don’t have to purchase an additional app or tool.
Cons:
– Resetting Screen Time password will erase all the usage data.
– You can only recover data from the last backup. If too much time has passed since your last backup, you may lose important data.
Method 4: Reset Screen Time Password with iCloud Backup
If you’ve enabled iCloud backups, restoring an earlier iCloud backup can help reset your Screen Time passcode. Here’s how to reset screen time password using iCloud backups:
1. Erase all data from your iPhone or iPad by selecting Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
2. During setup, select "Restore from iCloud Backup."
3. Select the most recent backup containing your Screen Time passcode.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the backup.
5. After restoration, use the default passcode to access your Screen Time settings.
Pros:
– Easy and convenient way to retrieve data.
– You don’t have to purchase additional software.
Cons:
– Resetting Screen Time password using iCloud backups will erase all usage data, and you can only restore the last backup.
Why Can’t I Reset My Screen Time Password?
1. Your iPhone or iPad doesn’t support Screen Time.
Fix: Ensure your device is iOS 12 or later.
2. You haven’t synced your device with iTunes or iCloud.
Fix: Ensure you sync your device with iTunes or enable iCloud backups.
3. You’ve recently changed your Apple ID credentials.
Fix: You will need to confirm your new credentials or contact Apple support.
Implications and Recommendations
Screen Time is an essential feature for managing device usage. However, forgetting your Screen Time password can be frustrating. Sometimes, resetting Screen Time is your only resort, but it wipes out all usage data stored on your device. Therefore, it is essential to back up your device regularly to avoid losing data. The methods above will help you reset your Screen Time password in no time. Additionally, you can use parental monitoring software to keep your kids safe online.
FAQs
Q: Can I reset screen time password without losing data?
A: No, resetting screen time password will wipe out all usage data on your device. Therefore, it is vital to back up your device before doing so.
Q: Can I reset Screen Time password using my Mac?
A: Yes, you can reset Screen Time password using your Mac. However, you may have to purchase additional software to do so.
Q: Can I access Screen Time settings if I forget my passcode?
A: If you forget your Screen Time passcode, all access to Screen Time settings is restricted until you reset the passcode.
Q: Can I restore data from an earlier backup if the encrypted backup password is forgotten?
A: No, you need to remember the encrypted backup password to restore data from an earlier backup.
Q: Can I use third-party Screen Time apps to bypass Screen Time restrictions?
A: Using third-party Screen Time apps to bypass Screen Time restrictions is illegal and may lead to serious consequences.
In Conclusion
In summary, screen time is essential, but an excessive amount can be harmful. Therefore, Apple introduced Screen Time to help users manage their digital usage. However, forgetting your Screen Time password is frustrating, and resetting it is your only resort. The methods above will help you reset your Screen Time password. Ensure to back up your device regularly to avoid losing data, and stay safe online using parental monitoring software.