How many times can you fail Screen Time passcode?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

As an expert, I can provide a detailed answer to your question about the number of failed Screen Time passcode attempts.

Screen Time on iPhones is designed to help parents monitor and control their children’s iPhone usage. One feature of Screen Time is the passcode, which is set up by the user (usually a parent) to restrict access and make changes to the settings.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode and enter it incorrectly multiple times, your iPhone will become locked out. After 10 failed attempts, your iPhone will display a message stating that the device is disabled and you need to connect to iTunes. This lockout is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to the device.

When your iPhone is locked out due to too many failed passcode attempts, you have a few options to regain access. You can connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed and perform a restore. This will erase all data on your device, including the Screen Time passcode, allowing you to set up your iPhone as new. However, this means you will lose all data and settings on your iPhone, so it’s important to have a backup before attempting a restore.

Another option is to use iCloud to remotely erase your iPhone and remove the Screen Time passcode. This can be done through the Find My iPhone feature on iCloud.com or the Find My app on another iOS device. Again, this will erase all data on your iPhone, so it’s crucial to have a backup.

If you don’t have a backup and are unable to use iTunes or iCloud, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can guide you through additional steps to regain access to your iPhone.

It’s important to note that the number of failed Screen Time passcode attempts leading to a lockout can vary depending on the specific iOS version and device you are using. However, the standard limit is 10 failed attempts.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode and enter it incorrectly more than 10 times, your iPhone will become disabled. To regain access, you can restore your device using iTunes, erase it remotely using iCloud, or seek assistance from Apple Support. It’s always recommended to have a backup of your data to avoid any potential loss during the process.