Secret to self managing restrictions using a more complicated password than a 4 digit restrictions passcode

There is a secret about iPhone having to do with self managing restrictions

with Screen Time, so that you can have a more complicated password

protecting the restrictions than a four digit number.  Trying to

self manage the restrictions with only a four digit passcode is

difficult because it is too easy to remember a four digit number.

When you initially set a restrictions passcode within an adult

account, it will ask you to enter an Apple ID and associated password

for restrictions passcode recovery.  The secret is you can use a

second, separate Apple ID and associated password that you set up

beforehand.  You don't have to enter the same Apple ID and

password as the one that is currently logged into the phone.


So with the second Apple ID and password as restrictions passcode

recovery, you can reset the restrictions passcode when you want

to make changes to the restrictions.  The password for the

second Apple ID can be a complicated password and stored somewhere

that is not convenient to access.  When I was using iPhone

before switching to Android, I would store the password in an online

lockbox at lockbox.pluckeye.net. The online lockbox makes you wait the number of hours specified after

requesting unlock to show you the password.  So this way, I

could schedule when I would access the restrictions.  Each time

I was done with working on the restrictions, I would just set a new

restrictions passcode by typing the same 4 digit number twice, but

looking away from the phone slightly so I did not see what I entered.


This setup of having a secondary Apple ID and more complicated password to

protect the restrictions also prevents you from being able to easily

go in and say that you forgot the restrictions passcode and use your

primary Apple ID to reset it.


Before I was managing restrictions myself with this secret method, I had a

friend manage the restrictions for me remotely on his iPad through

Family Organizing, and it really became a hassle.  I had to bug

him each time I needed to make changes, or update or download an

app.  He was also overwhelmed about how much work it took to

manage my restrictions.  So I thought I would share this

information with you in case anyone is inconvenienced by having

someone else manage restrictions when it is possible to self manage

this way.

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Posted on Mar 8, 2025 2:40 PM

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2 replies

Mar 8, 2025 10:30 PM in response to CedarWaxwing7

Great!


While the idea of using a separate Apple ID and password for Screen Time passcode recovery is a good one, I wouldn’t recommend relying on a third-party lockbox to store those credentials.


Apple Inc. already has processes in place, in case you forget them.






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Secret to self managing restrictions using a more complicated password than a 4 digit restrictions passcode

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