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GroovyCapeTown
User level: Level 1 (29 points)

Safari Private Browsing shows Screen Time passcode popup after macOS 27. Private Browsing not working!!



Hi everyone,

I recently upgraded my MacBook Air to the latest operating system (macOS 27 Golden Gate). Ever since the upgrade, I am unable to use Safari's Private Browsing mode.

The New Private Window option in the File menu appears active (it is not greyed out). However, the moment I click it, or use the Command + Shift + N shortcut, I am hit with an error popup stating: "Private Browsing is not available while a Screen Time passcode is enabled. You can manage this in Screen Time settings."

Here is the exact state of my setup:

Account Status: I am the Parent/Organizer of my Family Sharing group. Every member in my group is registered as an Adult. There are no child accounts, or active parental restrictions.

The Mac Settings Layout: In my Mac's System Settings > Screen Time, it states that I have Unrestricted Access to web content.

The Bug: Despite the panel explicitly showing my profile is unrestricted, clicking the private window button forces the passcode popup. When trying to toggle settings on this panel, it demands a 4-digit code that does not exist. The standard "Change Passcode" and "Forgot Passcode" recovery options are completely missing from the root menu.

iPhone Cross-Syncing: Screen Time was completely turned off on my iPhone. I set up a brand-new passcode on my iPhone to try and push a fresh sync down to the Mac. The Mac accepted the sync (now showing "Unrestricted Access" on screen), but the Safari popup window remains broken.

Troubleshooting I have already attempted:

Browser Comparison: Private windows open and run perfectly fine in Google Chrome, proving this is strictly a Safari / macOS system framework glitch rather than a network rule.

iCloud Token Refresh: Changed my main Apple Account password and forced a sign-out of all active devices to break any stuck iCloud device-sharing validation loops.

Terminal Clearances: Attempted to clear local parental control and webkit configuration plists via Terminal (com.apple.Safari.plist and com.apple.ParentalControls.plist). However, the commands failed because System Integrity Protection (SIP) locked down the folder paths (Boot-out failed: 5: Input/output error).

This appears to be a bug in macOS 27 where upgrading corrupts the local validation files that Safari checks before opening a private container, locking adults out of their own local profiles.

Has anyone managed to force clear this verification block without manually disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP)?


I use a MacBook Air 2020 with M1 chip, but am getting same issue with my other MacBook Air 2024


Thank you!

Posted on Sep 18, 2026 6:47 PM

9 replies

Owl-53
User level: Level 10 (123,805 points)

Oct 2, 2026 2:57 AM in response to GroovyCapeTown

I would not disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) or try to delete protected system files. 


The failed Terminal commands do not establish that a plist is corrupted. 


In addition, macOS protects its system software through security mechanisms including the Signed System Volume and related protections, so manually modifying protected system components is not an appropriate first step. Apple Platform Security: Sealed Key Protection


First, go to System Settings > Screen Time > Manage Screen Time and check Lock Screen Time Settings. 


Apple documents this as the setting that protects Screen Time with a four-digit passcode. Apple also documents the available methods for changing or removing that protection. Apple: Manage Screen Time settings on Mac


The unusual part of your case is that the Mac is asking for a Screen Time passcode you do not recognize while the expected passcode-management or recovery options are not available. 


If that is exactly what you are seeing, the Screen Time interface is not behaving as described in Apple's documentation.


Unrestricted Access controls website filtering. It does not, by itself, explain why Safari is displaying a message that Private Browsing is unavailable because a Screen Time passcode is enabled. Apple: Change Apps & Websites Restrictions settings in Screen Time


If Share Across Devices is enabled, temporarily turn it off, restart the Mac, and test Safari again. 


Apple documents that this setting synchronizes Screen Time settings and data between devices. Apple: Manage Screen Time settings on Mac


Apple confirms that File > New Private Window is the normal way to start Private Browsing on Mac. Apple: Browse privately in Safari on Mac 


The Safari setting Require Touch ID/password to view locked tabs is separate; it controls access to existing locked Private Browsing windows rather than whether a new Private Window can be created.


If Safari still displays the Screen Time passcode message while Screen Time shows Unrestricted Access, and you still have no way to change or remove the passcode, 


I would leave SIP enabled and avoid further Terminal modifications. 


At that point, give Apple Support the exact error message, screenshots of the relevant Screen Time settings, and the fact that the same behaviour occurs on both Macs.


Using the  Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue

jishan
User level: Level 1 (28 points)

Oct 7, 2026 3:50 AM in response to GroovyCapeTown

I logged out of iCloud on MacOS to remove anything lingering from the connection with my iPhone. Then re-logged in to iCloud on MacOS again and the issue was gone.

jishan
User level: Level 1 (28 points)

Sep 20, 2026 9:25 PM in response to jishan

The only way to fix this issue is to logout from iCloud on my Mac and re-login.

MrHoffman
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)

Sep 19, 2026 5:34 AM in response to GroovyCapeTown

GroovyCapeTown wrote:
It's not allowing me to switch it off

I’d expect a device reset will be next, then.

Maybe a backup and reset and restore first, failing that then reset and no restore.

jishan
User level: Level 1 (28 points)

Sep 20, 2026 8:45 PM in response to GroovyCapeTown

Same issue here. The Screen Time on my Mac doesn't even have a setting to turn off or remove the passcode. It somehow lists me twice in the Family Member dropdown and uses the passcode from my iPhone. The Screen Time settings on both devices do not restrict anything. Removing the passcode on the iPhone and turning off the "Share across devices" on both devices doesn't help.

MrHoffman
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)

Sep 18, 2026 7:26 PM in response to GroovyCapeTown

Tested whether shutting off screen time solves this?

GroovyCapeTown Author
User level: Level 1 (29 points)

Sep 18, 2026 9:39 PM in response to MrHoffman

It's not allowing me to switch it off

GroovyCapeTown Author
User level: Level 1 (29 points)

Sep 20, 2026 8:58 PM in response to jishan

Exactly the same issue as mine

GroovyCapeTown Author
User level: Level 1 (29 points)

Oct 1, 2026 8:45 PM in response to jishan

Have tried this but still doesnt work. Is that iCloud in Safari or just generally?

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256360147