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iPad User Guide

Create, manage, and keep track of a Screen Time passcode on iPad

You can create a passcode that must be entered before changing Screen Time settings you selected for yourself or a child under 18 (age varies by country or region). Once you set a passcode for yourself or a child, you can change or remove it later in Settings. You can also get notifications if your child’s passcode is used.

👁 The Manage Screen Time screen for a child in a family, showing the last time the passcode was used and on which device.

Create a Screen Time passcode

When you set up a Screen Time passcode, it must be entered before you can change the settings you’ve chosen for yourself or a child.

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap Screen Time, then do one of the following:

    • Set up a passcode for yourself: Scroll down, then tap Lock Screen Time Settings.

    • Set up a passcode for a child: Scroll down, then select a family member from your Family Sharing group. Scroll down, tap Manage Screen Time, then tap Lock Screen Time Settings.

      If you don’t see your Family Sharing group, make sure you’re signed in to your Apple Account and have Family Sharing set up. See Sign in to your Apple Account and Set up Family Sharing on iPad.

  3. Enter a four-digit passcode, then enter the passcode again to verify it.

    Note: After setting a passcode for yourself, you can also set up Screen Time Passcode Recovery. If you set this feature up, you can use your Apple Account to reset your Screen Time passcode if you ever forget it.

Change a Screen Time passcode

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap Screen Time, then do one of the following:

    • Change a passcode for yourself: Scroll down, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then select Change Screen Time Passcode.

    • Change a passcode for a child: Scroll down, then select a family member from your Family Sharing group. Scroll down, tap Manage Screen Time, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then select Change Screen Time Passcode.

      If you don’t see your Family Sharing group, make sure you’re signed in to your Apple Account and have Family Sharing set up. See Sign in to your Apple Account and Set up Family Sharing on iPad.

  3. Enter your current passcode (if changing a passcode for yourself) or your six-digit passcode for your iPad (if changing a passcode for a family member).

  4. Enter a new four-digit passcode, then enter the new passcode again to verify it.

    Tip: If your child learns their Screen Time passcode, you can change it and then turn on Downtime for the remainder of the day. See Schedule time away from the screen.

Remove a Screen Time passcode

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap Screen Time, then do one of the following:

    • Remove a passcode for yourself: Scroll down, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.

    • Remove a passcode for a child Scroll down, then select a family member from your Family Sharing group. Scroll down, tap Manage Screen Time, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.

      If you don’t see your Family Sharing group, make sure you’re signed in to your Apple Account and have Family Sharing set up. See Sign in to your Apple Account and Set up Family Sharing on iPad.

  3. Enter your current passcode (if changing a passcode for yourself) or your six-digit passcode for your iPad (if changing a passcode for a child).

Check the last time a Screen Time passcode was used

If you set up a Screen Time passcode for a child, you can also view when the passcode was last used, and on which device.

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Tap Screen Time, scroll down, then choose a child from your Family Sharing group.

    If you don’t see your Family Sharing group, make sure you’re signed in to your Apple Account and have Family Sharing set up. See Sign in to your Apple Account and Set up Family Sharing on iPad.

  3. Scroll down, then tap Manage Screen Time.

    If a child’s Screen Time passcode is used on their device, the parent/guardian will receive a notification. Screen Time Passcode Use notifications can be turned off by going to Settings 👁 Image
    > Screen Time > [the child’s name] > Manage Screen Time > Customize Notifications > Turn off Screen Time Passcode.

    Note: Screen Time Passcode Use will only appear on an iPad with iPadOS 18.5 or later when the child’s passcode is used on a device with iPadOS 18.5, iOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, or later.

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