---
title: "What Is Screen Time passcode on iPhone? Meaning and Settings"
description: "A Screen Time passcode is a separate four-digit code that protects Screen Time limits and restrictions on iPhone, so they can't be changed without it."
url: https://www.vaultforyou.app/glossary/screen-time-passcode
lang: en
published: 2026-10-31
updated: 2026-10-31
author: "VaultForYou Editorial Team"
publisher: VaultForYou
---

# What is Screen Time passcode?

Published 2026-10-31 - Updated 2026-10-31 - By VaultForYou Editorial Team - Checked against iOS 27 - Oct 31, 2026

## Quick answer

A Screen Time passcode is a four-digit code, separate from your iPhone passcode, that protects Screen Time settings. With it set, Time Allowances, schedules and restrictions can't be changed or switched off without the code.

- **Set it:** Settings -> Screen Time -> Passcode & Management -> Lock Screen Time Settings.
- **Digits:** Four.
- **Forgot it:** Screen Time Passcode Recovery with your Apple Account.

The Screen Time passcode is what turns a limit into a block. Without one, whoever holds the phone can change or ignore a limit. For a child, set Screen Time up from your own iPhone through Family Sharing and keep the passcode to yourself.

Because it is separate from the iPhone passcode, it can also act as a second lock for apps Apple won't let you lock with Require Face ID.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Screen Time passcode the same as my iPhone passcode?

No. It is a separate four-digit code that only protects Screen Time settings. Use a different code from your iPhone passcode, otherwise anyone who knows how to unlock your iPhone can also change your Screen Time limits.

### What if I forget my Screen Time passcode?

Apple lets you set up Screen Time Passcode Recovery, which resets the code with your Apple Account. Set it up when you create the passcode. Without it, changing Screen Time settings protected by the code is not possible.

## Sources

- [Apple Support: Create, change, or remove a Screen Time passcode on iPhone](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/create-change-remove-a-screen-time-passcode-iph272b4c4bd/ios)

## Guides that use this term

- [How to block apps on iPhone with Screen Time, limits and locks](https://www.vaultforyou.app/blog/block-apps-iphone)
- [How to lock apps on iPhone, with Face ID or without it](https://www.vaultforyou.app/blog/lock-apps-iphone)

## Related terms

- [Screen Time](https://www.vaultforyou.app/glossary/screen-time)
- [Time Allowances](https://www.vaultforyou.app/glossary/time-allowances)

## Browse

- [All glossary terms](https://www.vaultforyou.app/glossary)

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Our guides are written and fact-checked by the VaultForYou team against Apple's own documentation. We make VaultForYou, a private vault app for iPhone. Download on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/vaultforyou/id0000000000