What is screen passcode and how to protect iPhone with it

Apple officially announced the Screen Time feature for iPhone with iOS 12. Screen Time informs you about the time spent on apps or app types. You can also see the amount of time your kids spend on apps, websites, and more if you manage their devices. Based on this data, you can set a usage time limit, set communication limits for a specific contact, exclude some apps and contacts from the limitations, and more. You need to use the Screen Time Passcode option to protect the Screen Time settings.

The Screen Time feature works on all devices using the same iCloud account. For example, if you have set a time limit for playing PUBG on iPhone and iPad, Screen Time calculates a total time for both devices linked with a single iCloud account.

To understand how Screen Time Passcode works, you need to check all Screen Time functions and set them accordingly. After that, you can change them, protect the settings and remove the time limit in certain scenarios using Screen Time Passcode.

Screen functions

Downtime

Idle Time allows you to set a schedule for time away from the screen. During downtime, only apps you choose to allow and phone calls will be available.

You can customize the days and add the length of the inactivity time. I keep it configured from 1:00 to 6:00 and only allow essential apps like Phone, Messages, FaceTime e WhatsApp.

App Limits

You can set time limits for a specific category or app. Apple categorizes apps into Social Networks, Games, Entertainment, Creativity, Instruction, Productivity, Salute and Reading. You can also set a limit for specific websites.

I limited the game to one hour for one day using the Screen Time feature.

Communication limits

You can also set a communication limit for the contact. Apple allows you to set communication limits even during downtime. Unfortunately, it won’t work with third-party apps. The limit only applies to phone, FaceTime, and Messages.

As I mentioned, by default, all data is shared between Apple devices using the same iCloud / Apple ID. You can also turn off the option.

Now that you’ve set everything up in the Screen Time menu, you should protect it with a passcode so that a stranger or your child won’t. And this is where the Screen Time Passcode comes in.

Follow the steps below to set the screen passcode correctly.

Step 1: open the Settings app on the iPhone.

Step 2: access Screen Time and select the Set up Screen Time Passcode option.

Step 3: add a four-digit passcode and confirm it again.

Step 4: verify yourself with Apple ID credentials. This step allows you to reset your Apple ID passcode in case you forget it.

Where you can use the screen passcode

You can’t use Screen Time Passcode to unlock iPhone. Screen Time Passcode is only for making changes in the Screen Time menu.

In the scenarios below, the iOS system will ask for the Screen Time passcode for verification.

• When trying to change the downtime or disable the option entirely
• When trying to change the app limit time from the Screen Time option
• When you want to disable the Share Screen Devices option
• When a user wants to change the communication limits

These scenarios are related to changing / changing Screen Time options from the Settings app. The system will ask for the screen passcode when you try to extend the time limit of a specific app or game.

Let’s say you’ve added a one hour limit for PUBG. Now, after an hour, the app icon will be grayed out. If you try to open the game anyway, the system will ask for the Screen Time code before allowing you to play.

Use screen passcode with family sharing

Family Sharing allows up to six family members to easily share App Store purchases and Apple subscriptions, including an iCloud storage plan and more, all without sharing an Apple ID. Includes the ability to set up an Apple ID for kids, set permissions remotely with Screen Time, and approve spending and downloads from a parent’s device.

To set up Screen Time for Family, you can open the Settings app and go to Screen Time> Set Screen Time for Family. The system will ask you to add your child’s Apple account on the device.

Remove the screen passcode

You can remove the screen passcode after some time. People usually remove it after selling the device. To remove the Screen Time passcode, you can open the Settings app on the iPhone and go to the Screen Time menu.

Now tap on Change screen passcode and select the option Turn off screen passcode. Authenticate with the Screen Time Passcode and it will remove the passcode.

Protect your iPhone

Apple’s Screen Time feature is packed with features and offers better controls to manage your device and your little ones. You don’t want anyone to change the settings. Use Screen Time Passcode to protect settings and extend app time limit.