Set, change, and manage a Screen Time passcode on your child’s device
A Screen Time passcode locks your child’s Screen Time settings so they can’t change them on their own. You set this passcode from your own device or directly on your child’s device, and it’s separate from the device passcode your child uses to unlock their device. If your child figures out the passcode, you can change it at any time. You can also check when the passcode was last used, which can help you know if your child has been trying to change their settings.
Set a Screen Time passcode for your child
When you set a Screen Time passcode, you need to enter it to change any Screen Time settings. This helps make sure the schedules, allowances, and restrictions you set stay in place.
Open your child’s settings:
On iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, tap Family, then tap your child’s name.
On Mac: Go to System Settings, click Family, then click your child’s name.
Tap or click Manage Screen Time, then tap or click Lock Screen Time Settings.
Enter a four-digit passcode, then enter it again to confirm it.
Follow the onscreen instructions to set up passcode recovery with your Apple Account, so you can reset the passcode if you forget it.
After you set a passcode, your child sees a passcode prompt whenever they try to change Screen Time settings on their device. They can still view their Screen Time activity and settings, but they can’t make any changes without the passcode.
Tip: Consider choosing a passcode your child won’t guess. Avoid using birthdays, phone numbers, or common patterns like 1234.
Change your child’s Screen Time passcode
If you think your child knows the passcode, or you just want to update it, you can change it at any time.
Open your child’s settings:
On iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, tap Family, then tap your child’s name.
On Mac: Go to System Settings, click Family, then click your child’s name.
Tap or click Manage Screen Time, then tap or click Change Screen Time Passcode.
Enter the current passcode, enter a new four-digit passcode, then enter it again to confirm it.
Check when your child’s Screen Time passcode was last used
If you want to know whether your child has been using their Screen Time passcode, you can check when it was last used. This can help you see if they’ve been trying to change their settings.
Open your child’s settings:
On iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, tap Family, then tap your child’s name.
On Mac: Go to System Settings, click Family, then click your child’s name.
Tap or click Manage Screen Time, then look for “Last used” below the Screen Time Passcode section. The date and time of the last passcode entry appears here.
Remove your child’s Screen Time passcode from their device
If you no longer want to require a passcode to change Screen Time settings, you can remove it. You might do this if your child is older and you want to give them more control.
Open your child’s settings:
On iPhone or iPad: Go to the Settings app, tap Family, then tap your child’s name.
On Mac: Go to System Settings, click Family, then click your child’s name.
Tap or click Manage Screen Time, tap or click Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap or click Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
Enter the current passcode.
After you remove the passcode, your child can change their own Screen Time settings without entering a passcode.
What’s next?
For an overview of all parental controls on your child’s device, see Explore parental controls on your kid’s device.