How to reset content and privacy restrictions passcode

A Restrictions Passcode can be used as parental controls to filter content or limit the usage of certain apps and features on your child’s device. After setting up a four-digit PIN for a Restrictions Passcode, people (for instance, your kids) shouldn’t be able to alter several Restriction settings when they enter into the section.

By default, Restrictions is disabled. And if you want to block apps or contents on your iPhone, you can simply add a restrictions passcode in Settings > Screen Time > Use Screen Time Passcode. However, when you forgot the restrictions passcode on your iPhone, you are unable to access certain apps. In this article, you will learn 4 practical ways to reset restrictions passcode on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. And luckily, you will even be able to reset Restrictions Passcode without erasing any data on your device.

• How to Reset iPhone Screen Lock Password?

Part 1. How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on iPhone without Restore

Normally, when you forget the Restrictions passcode, you need to restore the iPhone to remove the passcode. But restoring iPhone means that you have to erase everything on the phone. And if you don't have an existing iCloud or iTunes backup before the Restrictions passcode is set up, you might stand a chance of losing all your data. To reset the Restrictions passcode without restore, there are two handy tricks that you can try at first.

Try Out iPhone/iPad Default Restrictions Passcode

If you don't remember that you have set up a Restriction passcode, try to update your device if there is enough storage space. And your iPhone just asks you to enter Restriction passcode after an iOS update, you can try to enter the default Restrictions passcode: 1234.

Recover iPhone/iPad Restriction Passcode from an iTunes Backup

If you have backed up iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch to iTunes on the computer, you can try to recover the passcode from iTunes backup and then unlock Restrictions.

• On your Mac, go to Library > Application Support > App Store and find a file named "adoption.plist".
• Select the .plist file, hold the Control key, select open with "Text edit".
• View and find a line of code like this: XXXX. The numbers are your Restriction code.

If you have backed up iPhone to iTunes on a PC, you can local iTunes backup: \Users(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup. Then find the "adoption.plist" file. However, you need to download a plist file opener to view the file.

Part 2. How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on iPhone/iPad Without iTunes

Besides the above methods, here is a more convenient way to reset the Restrictions passcode, which doesn’t require the iTunes app installed.

Passvers iPhone Unlocker is a program that specialized in removing the Restrictions Passcode. With it, you can delete the forgotten passcode in one click and reset the Restrictions passcode.

Note After the updated of iOS 12 and above, Apple launched a new feature called Screen Time. And the Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time replaced the Restrictions setting from iOS 11 and earlier.

The Screen Time passcode is used to secure the Content & Privacy Restrictions or to allow time extensions on App Limits.

Thus, if your device is running iOS 12 and above, resetting the Screen Time passcode is equals to resetting Restrictions passcode.

Now let's check how it works.

Step 1. Open Passvers iPhone Unlocker and you will see there are three options on the homepage.

Wipe Passcode: Remove the lock screen passcode of the iOS device.

Remove Apple ID: Remove the Apple ID if you have forgotten the ID or passcode.

Screen Time: Unlock Screen Time and Retrieve Restrictions Passcode.

Step 2. Connect your device to the computer and the program will detect your phone automatically.

When your device is recognized, the program will analyze the iOS version automatically. If your device is running iOS 11 or earlier, it will retrieve the Restrictions Passcode. If your device is running iOS 12 or above, it will remove the Screen Time passcode.

Step 3. When it is done, you will see the Restrictions Passcode on the screen. Enter the passcode to enable the Restrictions. The process will not restart your device and it will not erase any data on your phone.

There are a few things you should know about using this program:

1. Find My iPhone must be disabled before removing the Restrictions passcode. If not, you may receive a prompt telling you how to do.

Go to Settings and tap your name on the top > iCloud > Find My iPhone. Enter your iCloud password and turn off the Find My iPhone feature.

2. When you remove the Restrictions passcode successfully, you will need to set the initial settings.

To avoid data loss, remember to choose Don't Transfer Apps & Data in the Apps & Data settings.

3. To make sure the passcode is completely removed, select Set Up Later in Settings when setting up Screen Time.

4. The retrieved passcode will be saved in the backup file. Therefore, you can unlock the Restrictions even without connecting to the Internet.

Just within 3 steps and you can reset the Restrictions passcode conveniently.

Part 3. How to Reset/Change Restrictions Passcode on iPhone/iPad with iTunes

If you are unable to reset or remove Restrictions passcode without restore, your only option is to factory reset iPhone/iPad with iTunes and then set it up as new. Since a factory reset will delete all data on your device, you need to back up your device before restoring it with iTunes.

However, an iCloud or iTunes backup that includes Restrictions Passcode won’t do any good when you forget the Restrictions Passcode, as you recover data from the iCloud or iTunes backup, you will restore the Restrictions passcode as well.

Therefore, you need another way back up iPhone/iPad. This may somehow wipe out the restriction passcode setting and help you get back control of your device.

FonePaw iOS Data Backup & Restore is a program that can back up photos, contacts, messages, music, etc. on iPhone/iPad to PC. Its backup doesn't include passcodes on your device so that you can restore the backup to iPhone after the restore.

Step 1. Download and launch iOS Data Backup & Restore on PC and choose iOS Data Backup & Restore. Connect the iPhone to the program via USB connection and click iOS Data Backup to create a backup of your iPhone.

Step 2. Then launch iTunes on your computer.

Step 3. Click your iPhone icon when it appears in iTunes.

Step 4. In the Summary panel, click "Restore iPhone".

Step 5. After your device restores to factory settings, it restarts and the Restrictions is unlocked. Now you can launch iOS Data Backup & Restore and choose iOS Data Restore to get back your data to iPhone.

Step 6. Then you can reset Restriction passcode on iPhone/iPad. But make sure that you remember the passcode this time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When you see a welcome screen on your iPhone, select "Set Up as New iPhone" when promoted. If you choose to "Restore from iTunes Backup" or "Restore from iCloud Backup", you will simply restore your restrictions password as well.

Part 4. How to Erase Restrictions Passcode on iPhone/iPad with a Factory Reset

You can also restore the iPhone and remove forgotten Restriction passcode by factory resetting your device. But this method will totally erase your iPhone or iPad. The advantage is that you can reset Restrictions Passcode even without a computer.

Note To avoid data loss, it is highly recommended that you backed up iPhone to PC with iOS Data Backup & Restore before restoring the device.

Step 1. On your iPhone/iPad, open Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2. This will erase everything on your device, including the Restrictions passcode. After that, the iPhone will reboot.

Step 3. If you need it, you can reset Restrictions passcode now.

You can also download Find My iPhone on your iOS devices and then tap on Device section. Select your device and choose "Erase iPhone" to reset Restrictions Passcode on iPhone or iPad..

You should be able to find an ideal option to reset Restrictions Passcode on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Passvers iPhone Unlocker will be suitable for those who don’t have a backup but hope to preserve all data when they forget the restrictions passcode. Once the Find My Phone feature is turned off, the app can erase the passcode setting without losing any important data. Anyway, it is always a good habit to back up your data to prevent unexpected situations.

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