Primary trusted Family device cannot reset child Apple password due to being “new device”. Owned for years and listed as trusted device on Apple account

I am trying to reset the password for my child so I can reset his iPad.

I have owned my iPhone 16 since release, it is my primary Apple device and what I have consistently used to managed the family settings, it is listed as my Trusted device in my account, yet when I try and reset my child’s password I’m told “because this is a new device you need to use a different device” and lists multiple devices that I haven’t owned in years.

I have spent hours trying to reset this password, it shouldn’t be this difficult given I have the iPad in my hand and the device I have consistently used and receive Apple notifications though.

Posted on Oct 1, 2026 11:23 AM

1 reply

LucMeredith Author

Level 1 (0 points)

Oct 1, 2026 11:52 AM in response to LucMeredith

Funnily though (whilst not being funny at all), despite me being logged into my device since March 2025 and receiving Apple verification codes it is considered too new, yet the iPad we bought three weeks ago is one of the options as “trusted devices” when attempting to reset the password.

This has to be one of the most frustrating and poorly designed systems I’ve experienced.