Kids can bypass Screen Time by resetting the passcode with Apple ID

Yes I have screen time restrictions set up on a phone. I use it for restrictions to filter a child’s phone . It has worked great. But now we have discovered there is a way that the child can enter the Appleid and password and then they can enter the option for forgot passcode and then they can change it and get around the restrictions. 


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Screen time restrictions broken

iPhone 14, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 13, 2025 8:22 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 14, 2025 6:06 PM

Yes, if a child knows the Apple ID and password used to set up Screen Time, they can reset the Screen Time passcode and bypass restrictions. To prevent this, do not share the Apple ID credentials with your child, or use a separate Apple ID for Screen Time setup.

5 replies

Jul 14, 2025 11:05 PM in response to beki146

Yeah I got you there. Seems that there isn’t any option besides not telling them the Apple account credentials as suggested by AnyMind already, while it may not be the best choice doing that anyways. I don’t know how “digitally mature” they already are, but given phishing and all those other security risks, maybe it’s better if they don’t know it. Just sayin.

otherwise use that separate apple account to set it up (via family sharing).

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Kids can bypass Screen Time by resetting the passcode with Apple ID

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