How to Change Restriction Password Settings on an iPhone

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: June 21, 2021

This wikiHow teaches you how to change your Screen Time passcode (previously Restrictions Password) on iPhone and iPad. The Screen Time settings allow you to block apps, set time limitations, and set content and privacy restrictions on your iPhone or iPad.

Steps

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Open the Settings menu

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. It's has a silver icon that resembles two gears. Tap the icon on your home screen to open the Settings menu.
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2
Tap Screen Time . It's next to a purple icon that resembles an hourglass in the Settings menu.
- If this is the first time you are setting up a Screen Time passcode, tap Continue on the information page, and then select if this is your devices or you child's device.
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3
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode . It's near the bottom of the Screen Time menu. This displays a pop-up Window.
- If you have not yet set up a screen time passcode, this option reads " Use Screen Time Passcode ". Tapping it allows you to set a Screen Time Passcode.
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4
Tap Change Screen Time Passcode . It's the first option in the pop-up window.
- Alternatively, you can tap Turn Off Screen Time Passcode to disable your passcode.
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This is the passcode you currently have set on your iPhone or iPad.
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Enter a new 4-digit passcode that you can use to override restrictions on your iPhone or iPad.
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7
Confirm your new passcode. Enter the same 4-digit passcode you just entered a second time to confirm your new passcode.
- Now that you have a screen time passcode set up, you can use it to" set up your screen time restrictions " on your device.
- To apply your Screen Time settings to all device on your iCloud, tap the toggle switch next to "Share Across Devices". This is a good way to apply Screen Time settings for your entire family.
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Community Q&A

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Question

I don't remember my restriction password. How do I reset the restriction password?

Community Answer

There is no way to reset it. You may have to completely wipe the phone and start over on a new Apple ID. If you don't want to lose pictures or contacts that you have, you can create a new Apple ID on a different Apple device and Air Drop/send yourself the contacts and pictures. To wipe the current iPhone that you have is a pretty long process. Go to where you reset your regular password to unlock your iPhone and change the settings under it so that it wipes the iPhone if the password is attempted more than ten times. Put in your password ten times and it will completely reset the iPhone. You will not be able to use the same Apple ID because it will have the restriction password still on it.

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Tips

You can pick any country for movie and TV ratings in Restrictions without changing your iPhone's country settings.

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Warnings

It is easy to confuse your Restrictions Passcode with your iPhone Passcode. If you try to unlock your iPhone with your Restrictions Passcode, you will be locked out of your device after 6 unsuccessful attempts.

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If you set a Screen Time passcode, you will not be able to reset your iPhone without it.

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How to Change Restriction Password Settings on an iPhone

Steps

Community Q&A

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Warnings

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