What a Screen Time passcode does on iPhone

Protect your settings and know how to recover access if you forget the code.

By Until Red · November 4, 2026

A Screen Time passcode helps protect the Screen Time settings you choose from being changed without the code. It is separate from the passcode you use to unlock your iPhone. What happens when an app reaches a limit still depends on your Screen Time settings and iOS version.

Before you set a passcode

Decide whether you want a reminder you can easily change or a boundary that takes more effort to adjust. A person setting a limit for themselves may choose to remember the code or ask someone they trust to hold it. Agree on when you may need help accessing it, and keep control of your Apple Account.

Set a passcode on iOS 27

On iOS 27, Apple’s instructions for your own iPhone are:

1. Open Settings → Screen Time → Passcode & Management.
2. Tap Lock Screen Time Settings.
3. Enter a four-digit passcode, then enter it again to confirm.

Apple also offers Screen Time Passcode Recovery. If you set it up, you can use the Apple Account you chose for recovery to reset a forgotten code. Settings and wording differ on earlier iOS versions; follow Apple’s current passcode instructions for your device.

What happens when an app reaches its limit?

A passcode protects settings; it is not a promise that every app will be blocked in every configuration. Review your limit, blocking and override options, then test the setup with a nonessential app. Keep important calls, accessibility tools and other essential apps available.

What if I forget the passcode?

Follow Apple’s reset instructions. If you set up passcode recovery, use the Apple Account you entered for that recovery setup; Apple notes it may differ from the account currently signed in on the device. The steps can also ask you to authenticate with Face ID or your device passcode.

If you manage a child’s account through Family Sharing, the family organizer or a parent or guardian follows the applicable instructions on their own device. The route depends on the device and iOS version.

Does it lock the whole phone?

No. The Screen Time passcode and the device unlock passcode have different jobs. Keep your device passcode and Apple Account secure independently. To choose a starting point for the apps you want to limit, see how to choose a daily limit.