Set, change, or remove a Screen Time passcode on Mac
You can use a passcode to prevent changes to the Screen Time restrictions you set up for a child. To change or remove a passcode, you need to enter the current passcode.
If you need to reset the passcode, see the Apple Support article If you forgot your Screen Time passcode.
Before you can set a passcode, you need to turn on Screen Time. See Set up Screen Time for yourself or Set up Screen Time for a child.
Tip: You might want to store the Screen Time passcode in a safe place in case you forget it, such as in a secure note in your keychain (see Store confidential information securely using Keychain Access).
Set a Screen Time passcode
On your Mac, do one of the following:
If you’re using Family Sharing: Log in to your Mac user account, then make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
If you aren’t using Family Sharing: Log in to a family member’s Mac user account.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time .
If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu in the sidebar, then choose a family member.
Click Options in the lower-left corner of the sidebar.
Select Use Screen Time Passcode, enter a four-digit passcode, then enter the passcode again to verify it.
Change a Screen Time passcode
On your Mac, do one of the following:
If you’re using Family Sharing: Log in to your Mac user account, then make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
If you aren’t using Family Sharing: Log in to a family member’s Mac user account.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time .
If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu in the sidebar, then choose a family member.
Click Options in the lower-left corner of the sidebar.
Click Change Passcode, then enter the current four-digit passcode.
Enter a new four-digit passcode, then enter the new passcode again to verify it.
Remove a Screen Time passcode
If you don’t want to require a Screen Time passcode any longer, you can remove it.
On your Mac, do one of the following:
If you’re using Family Sharing: Log in to your Mac user account, then make sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
If you aren’t using Family Sharing: Log in to a family member’s Mac user account.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time .
If you’re using Family Sharing, click the pop-up menu in the sidebar, then choose a family member.
Click Options in the lower-left corner of the sidebar.
Deselect Use Screen Time Passcode, then enter the four-digit passcode.