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ria__523
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iPhone Screen Time passcode unexpectedly required and cannot be reset

Hi, I’m having an issue with Screen Time on my iPhone.


I’m not using Family Sharing or a family-managed Apple Account. I previously had a Screen Time passcode a long time ago, but I removed/reset it, and for about two months I had no Screen Time passcode. I could use my own app limits and select “Ignore Limit for Today” normally.


Today, unexpectedly, TikTok became restricted and my iPhone started requiring a Screen Time passcode again. When I go to Settings → Screen Time → Change Screen Time Passcode or Turn Off Screen Time Passcode, it asks me to enter the old Screen Time passcode.


The problem is that I don’t know this passcode. There is no “Forgot Passcode?” option and no option to reset it using my Apple Account.


I also have Share Across Devices enabled, and I checked my Mac, but there is no option there to reset the Screen Time passcode either. My Mac is not family-managed either.


Posted on Sep 27, 2026 10:01 AM

2 replies

LD150
User level: Level 10 (107,674 points)

Sep 27, 2026 10:48 AM in response to ria__523

If those remedies take you nowhere you will have to use Recovery Mode with the Mac. You will have to take every opportunity to first either copy all your data onto the Mac or else ensure you have enough iCloud space to sync absolutely everything there first.


You will have to set up the phone without restoring your backup, but make one anyway.


If you can't update or restore your iPhone or iPod touch – Apple Support (UK)

is the recovery mode process

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256366031