How to Turn Off Screen Time without Passcode [3 Ways]

Forgot your Screen Time passcode? You’re not alone. That handy feature designed to manage digital habits or enforce parental controls can suddenly feel like a digital prison, locking you out of apps, features, or critical settings. 

The frustration is real – but don’t panic. While Apple intentionally makes the Screen Time passcode separate and secure, bypassing it is possible even without the original code.

This guide reveals three proven methods to turn off Screen Time without your passcode. Whether you’ve simply forgotten it, inherited a device with restrictions, or face other access issues, we’ve got effective and reliable solutions for you. Regain control of your iPhone or iPad today.

Why Would You Need to Turn Off Screen Time?

Before we dive into the methods, let’s take a moment to understand why someone would want to turn off Screen Time without a passcode. Screen Time allows you to manage your app usage, set time limits, and track your habits. While these features are beneficial, sometimes they can be an obstacle.

Here are a few reasons why someone may need to disable Screen Time without the passcode:

• Forgotten passcode: If you can’t remember your Screen Time passcode, you might want to disable it to regain control over your device.
• No longer needed: You might have enabled Screen Time for a specific reason but want to remove it later.
• Child’s device: Parents often set up Screen Time on their child’s device. If you’re managing the device and want to make adjustments, turning it off could be necessary.

Method 1: Turn Off Screen Time with Apple ID

If you have set up Screen Time using your Apple ID, it’s relatively easy to turn it off, even without the passcode. Simply use your Apple ID credentials to remove or disable the Screen Time passcode directly. 

1. Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap on Screen Time.
2. Scroll down and tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
3. When prompted, tap Forgot Passcode. If you find no Forgot Passcode option for Screen Time, proceed to the next method.
4. Enter the Apple ID and password you used to set up Screen Time, then tap OK. This will turn off the Screen Time passcode.

5. Tap Turn Off Screen Time, then tap Turn Off Screen Time again to confirm. Screen Time will be turned off immediately.

Method 2: Turn Off Screen Time with iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer

If the first method doesn’t work, you can use iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer as an alternative to turn off Screen Time without the passcode. This powerful and reliable iPhone unlocking tool allows you to turn off Screen Time without needing your passcode or Apple ID, and it doesn’t affect your data. The tool works for all versions of iOS, including iOS 17/18. Simply download and install the software on your computer, then follow the steps below.

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable, then unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if prompted.
2. Launch iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer and select the Remove Screen Time Passcode option.

3. Make sure Find My iPhone is turned off on your iPhone, then click Start to begin the process.

4. The software will automatically remove the Screen Time passcode from your iPhone.

5. Once the software will confirm that the Screen Time passcode has been successfully removed, the iPhone will reboot, giving you full access to your device.

Method 3: Turn Off Screen Time by Erasing Your iPhone

If using either Apple ID or a third-party solution is not an option for you, the last resort is to erase and reset your iPhone. This will erase all content and settings on the iPhone, including the Screen Time settings, and allow you to start fresh.  

Before you erase your iPhone, make sure to back up your important data. You can use iCloud or iTunes (Apple Devices on newer Macs) to back up your files.

If you attempt to erase your iPhone directly through the Settings app, you’ll be prompted for the Screen Time passcode. However, you can bypass this by erasing your device using Find My or a computer. 

Here is how to erase your iPhone without a Screen Time passcode: 

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the Devices tab and select your iPhone.
3. Tap Erase This Device at the bottom.
4. Tap Continue, then confirm by tapping Erase.
5. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Erase again.

6. Your iPhone will begin erasing automatically. 
7. Once the erase is complete, set up your iPhone from scratch. During the setup, you can choose not to enable Screen Time.

By following these steps, you’ll effectively disable Screen Time on your iPhone without knowing the passcode.

How to Prevent Future Screen Time Issues

Once you’ve successfully turned off Screen Time without a passcode, you might want to avoid facing the same problem in the future. Here are some steps to help you prevent issues with Screen Time:

1. Create a memorable passcode: Choose a passcode for Screen Time that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
2. Use Apple ID for Screen Time: Setting up Screen Time with your Apple ID makes it easier to recover your passcode if needed.
3. Regularly update your backup: Always back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes to ensure you can restore your data if you ever need to erase your device.

Conclusion:

Forgetting your Screen Time passcode doesn’t mean you’re permanently locked out of managing your device usage. Start with Apple’s official method using your Apple ID credentials – it’s the simplest and safest route if you know that information. If that’s not an option, reliable third-party tools like iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer offer a powerful alternative, often bypassing the restriction without data loss. As a last resort, a factory reset will erase the Screen Time passcode along with everything else, requiring a restore from backup. By carefully following the steps outlined for each method, you can successfully turn off Screen Time without your passcode and regain full control over your iPhone or iPad. Remember to prioritize backing up your data before attempting more invasive solutions.