You probably can't find it out, and that's the point

A screen time passcode is designed to be secret from the person whose screen time it limits. If you could find it, the parental control wouldn't work. That said, there are real situations where you might need the passcode — like if a parent forgets it, or if you're old enough that the restriction no longer makes sense — and those situations have actual solutions that don't involve guessing or searching.

The direct approach is to ask the parent or guardian who set it. If that feels impossible, there are other people who can help: another parent or guardian in the house, a school counselor, or in some cases, the device manufacturer themselves. Those routes take longer than finding a password would, but they're the ones that actually work.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen time passcodes are intentionally hidden from the person being limited, so searching for it in obvious places won't work.
  • Asking the parent or guardian directly is the fastest way to get the passcode removed or changed if you have a legitimate reason.
  • If you can't ask the person who set it, another parent or guardian in your household may know it or be able to help.
  • On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Apple can verify your identity and help reset Screen Time if you have access to the device and an Apple ID, though this requires proof you own the device.
  • On Android, Google has a similar process, but it's slower and requires more documentation.

Asking a parent or guardian directly

This is the option that actually solves the problem. If you need the passcode because a restriction is keeping you from something you genuinely need — schoolwork, a job, communication with friends — say that specifically. "I need to use my phone for my group project" is a conversation a parent can actually respond to, even if they say no.

If you're worried about asking because you think you'll get in trouble, remember that the passcode exists to manage your time, not to punish you. A parent who set it is usually willing to talk about why a particular app or time limit isn't working for you. The conversation might not go the way you want, but it's more likely to lead somewhere than trying to work around the restriction.

If the person who set the passcode is not available — they're traveling, you don't live with them full-time, or you're not in contact — ask another parent, guardian, or trusted adult in your household. They may know the passcode, or they may be able to contact the person who set it.

Resetting Screen Time on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

If you have access to the device and you know the Apple ID password (not the Screen Time passcode — the Apple ID password), you can reset Screen Time through Apple's official process. This requires proving you own the device, which Apple does by sending a verification code to the email address or phone number connected to the Apple ID.

Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then tap "Change Screen Time Passcode" at the bottom. You'll be asked for the current passcode. If you don't know it, tap "Forgot Passcode?" and follow the prompts. Apple will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. Once you verify your identity through email or text, you can set a new passcode or turn Screen Time off entirely.

This process only works if you have the Apple ID password. If the device is set up under someone else's Apple ID and you don't know that password, you cannot reset Screen Time yourself. In that case, the person who owns the Apple ID has to do it, or you have to contact Apple Support with proof that you own the device (like a receipt or proof of purchase).

Resetting Screen Time on Android

Android's parental control system is called Family Link, and it works differently from Apple's. If you're the child account on a device with Family Link, you cannot reset the passcode yourself through the settings. The parent or guardian who set it up has to change it through their own device or through the Family Link app.

If you have access to the Google account that the device is registered to and you know that account's password, you can try signing into Google's account recovery page and looking for security options. However, Family Link passcodes are separate from Google account passwords, so this usually won't help.

Your best option on Android is to ask the parent or guardian directly, or to contact Google Support. Google can help reset Family Link if you can prove you own the device, but the process takes longer than Apple's and requires more documentation.

When you're old enough that the restriction doesn't make sense anymore

If you're a teenager and the screen time limit was set when you were younger, the conversation is different. You can make a case that you're old enough to manage your own time, or that you need access for school or work. Bring specific examples: "I need to use my phone for my job schedule" or "My friends coordinate group projects in this app."

If the parent is unwilling to remove the restriction, ask what would need to change for them to consider it. Sometimes there's a specific behavior or grade they want to see improve first. Sometimes they're willing to raise the time limit instead of removing it entirely. Getting them to name the condition gives you something concrete to work toward.

If you're 18 or older and the device is in your name, you have more options. You can reset the passcode yourself using the methods above, or you can ask the parent to remove it. At that point, it's your device and your choice, though family dynamics might make that conversation complicated anyway.

What not to do

Don't try to guess the passcode repeatedly. Most devices will lock you out after several wrong attempts, and that will make the situation worse, not better. Don't search for the passcode written down in the house — parents who set Screen Time passcodes usually don't write them down anywhere obvious, and searching will look like you're trying to sneak around.

Don't try to factory reset the device or use hacking tools you find online. Factory resetting will erase everything on the device and won't remove Screen Time anyway. Hacking tools don't work on modern devices and can install malware. Both approaches will damage your relationship with the parent who set the restriction and make them less likely to trust you with device freedom in the future.

Don't ask friends or online communities for the passcode. No one outside your family can give you the right one, and asking makes it look like you're trying to hide something from the people who actually care about you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset Screen Time if I don't know the Apple ID password?

No, not on your own. You need either the Screen Time passcode or the Apple ID password to reset it. If you don't have either, the person who set up the Apple ID has to do it, or you have to contact Apple Support with proof you own the device.

What happens if I get the passcode wrong too many times?

On iPhone and iPad, the device will lock you out temporarily after several wrong attempts. The lockout gets longer each time you try again. You'll have to wait before you can try again, so guessing isn't a practical strategy.

Can a school counselor or teacher help me get the passcode?

A school counselor can talk to you about why the restriction is a problem and may contact your parent on your behalf, but they can't give you the passcode or remove it themselves. They can help you have the conversation with your parent, though, which is often more useful.

If I'm 16, can I reset it myself?

Only if you know the Apple ID password or Google account password for the device. Age doesn't matter — the passcode is separate from your age. You'd need to ask the parent who set it up, or use the official reset process through Apple or Google if you can verify your identity.

What if the parent who set the passcode won't tell me what it is?

That's their choice as long as you're under their care. You can ask why the restriction is in place and what would need to change for them to remove it. If you feel the restriction is unfair, talk to another parent or guardian in your household, or a school counselor who can help mediate the conversation.