We may not admit it, but deep down, we know that we spend too much time glued to our mobile phones. Mobile games are improving, social media gets more exciting every day, and when you add new features phone companies are constantly introducing, putting these devices down becomes a problem.
Apple’s Screen Time is a fantastic feature to control your child’s time on the phone, but you have probably noticed that your child still gets more time on the phone despite limiting the device usage.
In this article, we will learn what Screen Time is, the various tricks and loopholes your child might use to bypass the screen time passcode, and how you can block such schemes.
Part 1. What is Screen Time?
Screen Time is a feature that allows you to monitor how you use your device. Screen Time will enable you to limit your time on the device, specific apps, web content, etc.
Though Screen Time is only available for devices running on iOS 12 or later, devices using iOS 11 or earlier still offer a similar feature called Restrictions, which works almost the same way as Screen Time.
If you are still struggling to keep your child from their phone, you can use this feature to control how much time they spend on the phone, specific apps or the type of web content they can access.
Part 2. How to Bypass Screen Time Passcode on iPhone/iPad
This section has been divided into two parts;
- Permanent solutions that completely remove the screen time passcode.
- Temporary solutions that are hacks around Screen Time Passcode. These solutions do not remove the passcode, but it is no longer a restricting factor.
2.1 Permanent Solutions to Bypass Screen Time Passcode
2.1.1 Using the “Forgot Passcode” Option
Assuming your device is up-to-date (iOS 13.4 for iPhone or iPadOS 13.4), use the steps listed below to bypass your screen time passcode.
Step 1. Go to Settings, then Screen Time.
Step 2. Tap Change Screen Time Passcode.
Step 3. In the pop-up menu, tap Change Screen Time Passcode again.
Step 4. Tap Forgot Passcode.
Step 5. Type your Apple ID and the password you used while setting up the Screen Time passcode.
Step 6. Enter and confirm your new passcode.
2.1.2 Using Tenorshare 4uKey
Tenorshare has a wide range of solutions for your everyday problems, and for this particular case, Tenorshare 4uKey is what you need.
Tenorshare 4uKey is a good tool because it;
- Bypasses Touch ID & Face ID from on iPhone, iPad
- Bypasses Screen Time passcode within seconds
- Removes Apple ID from any iPhone or iPad
- Removes Remote Management without password
- Is compatible with the latest iPhones or iPads
Step 1. Download Tenorshare 4uKey.
Step 2. Install then launch.
Step 3. Connect your iPhone/iPad to the computer using a USB cable, then click Start.
Step 4. Turn off Find My iPhone.
Step 5. Click Start Unlock on the next page to begin the unlocking process.
2.1.3 Resetting All Device Settings to Default
As long as you know your Apple ID password, you can remove all device restrictions by restoring all device settings to their default. T
his is also the go-to method for a child who knows the parent’s iPhone passcode and Apple ID password.
To use this method;
Step 1: Go to the Settings, then the General menu.
Step 2: Tap on Reset.
Step 3: Tap on Reset All Settings.
2.1.4 Resetting the Device to Factory Settings
This method is similar to method three, except that the device will be wiped clean, and you will lose all your data.
This method requires the device to be set up fresh and should only be used after device backup.
To bypass Screen Time passcode by factory reset;
Step 1: Go to the Settings, then the General menu.
Step 2: Tap on Reset.
Step 3: Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
2.1.5 Quick fix
All the methods mentioned except method 2 require your child to access your phone settings.
The perfect way to do this is by keeping your Apple ID password and phone passcode a secret or constantly changing it.
Without the passcode, they can’t unlock your phone, and without the Apple ID password, they can’t perform a factory reset.
2.2 Temporary Solutions to Bypass Screen Time Passcode
2.2.1 Uninstalling & Reinstalling the App or Game
This is another everyday trick kids use because after reinstalling the game, the time limit set for the application does not apply anymore.
To do this:
Step 1: Tap and hold the app you wish to uninstall.
Step 2: From the options displayed, tap Remove App.
Step 3: Tap delete to confirm uninstall.
Step 4: Go to App Store and reinstall the app.
Quick Fix
To prevent this trick, you can disable the installation of Apps from the App Store.
Here is how: going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps. Set Don’t Allow for all three options.
2.2.2 Changing the Device Timezone
Screen Time is only effective if the time and timezone are correct. This method involves manually changing the timezone to a few hours behind.
To change the device timezone:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Tap on the General menu.
Step 3: Tap Date and Time.
Step 4: Disable Set Automatically.
Step 5: Tap Timezone to pick a different timezone option.
Quick Fix
To prevent your child from changing the timezone, manually set app limits from Screen Time. To do this, go to Settings > Screen Time > Appl Limits > Add Limit > Select the app
2.2.3 Watching YouTube Videos in iMessage
iMessage has a feature that allows you to watch YouTube videos directly from iMessage. Your child can share a video with a friend and watch the video from there.
To do this:
Step 1: On the iMessage screen, tap on the App Store icon.
Step 2: Pick YouTube from the options.
Step 3: Search for the video you want to watch and tap on it to add it as a message.
Step 5: Tap the video to watch it.
Quick Fix
There are two ways to prevent this trick:
- Uninstall YouTube. This will remove the YouTube option from the iMessage options.
- Add YouTube.com to the list of not allowed websites by going to Settings > Screen time > Content and Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Limit Adult Websites. Add YouTube.com to that list.
2.2.4 Adding a New Fingerprint
To add a new fingerprint:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Tap Touch ID and passcode.
Step 3: Enter your passcode for confirmation.
Step 4: Tap Add a Fingerprint, then follow the instructions.
Quick Fix
As long as your passcode is kept a secret, your child will not be able to add their fingerprint. You can also check if a new fingerprint ID has been added.
2.2.5 Approving Screen Time Using Another Parent’s Device
When both parents are signed in to the iCloud daily account, your kid can always use the parent’s device where the screen time request is still pending, even if the other parent has declined it.
This is quickly done by sliding down the notification bar, finding the screen time request, and tapping the allow option.
Quick Fix
The simple fix here is to disable notification preview, which is enabled by default. You can do this by going to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > Never
2.2.6 Running Browser Settings Through the Warning Icon
When you block your kid from accessing certain websites, chances are high that you are using the same password for one or more websites.
Your kid will look out for a warning sign which indicates that multiple sites are using the same password.
They can use this to open an unrestricted browser by:
Step 1. Going to Settings then Passwords.
Step 2. Tap Website and App Passwords.
Step 3. Tap the warning icon next to the address with the same password.
Step 4. Tap Change Password to open a new unrestricted browser.
Quick Fix
Since using a different password for every website you want to block can be tedious, you can choose to restrict the web content your child can access.
You can do this by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content > Allowed Websites Only.
With this setting enabled, your child will only access the websites you want him to see.
Conclusion
Managing our phone usage saves us lots of time and sets an excellent example for the young. Cell phone addiction is as destructive as any other type of addiction and has to be controlled.
I hope you have learned the various methods you can use to bypass the Screen Time passcode if you have lost or forgotten your passcode.
For parents/guardians, I hope you have seen the various methods your child can use to bypass the Screen Time passcode and how you can stop them. Feel free to share any other practical solution we can add to the list. Cheers!
