How to Clear Screen Time on iPhone: What You Need to Know

Screen Time is one of Apple's most powerful built-in tools — and also one of the most misunderstood. Whether you're trying to reset usage data, remove a passcode, or turn the feature off entirely, "clearing" Screen Time means something different depending on what you're actually trying to do. The steps vary, and getting them wrong can lock you out of settings you didn't expect to lose access to.

Here's a clear breakdown of how Screen Time works, what clearing it actually involves, and the factors that shape how it plays out for different users.

What Screen Time Actually Tracks

Screen Time records how you use your iPhone — which apps you open, how long you spend in each category, how many notifications you receive, and how often you pick up your device. This data accumulates daily and weekly, and is visible under Settings > Screen Time.

The feature also lets you:

• Set App Limits that restrict usage after a daily threshold
• Enable Downtime to block most apps during set hours
• Use Content & Privacy Restrictions to limit access to specific features or content types
• Share Screen Time data across Family Sharing

Understanding which of these you want to clear is the first step, because each has its own reset process.

The Different Ways to "Clear" Screen Time

1. Clearing Usage History and Statistics

If you want to wipe the recorded data — the graphs showing how long you spent on Instagram or in Safari — you're looking for a usage reset.

Go to Settings > Screen Time, scroll to the bottom, and tap Turn Off Screen Time. This clears all accumulated usage data and disables the feature entirely. If you turn Screen Time back on afterward, it starts tracking fresh.

There is no built-in option to clear usage history while keeping Screen Time active. Apple doesn't currently offer a "reset stats only" button within Screen Time itself. Turning it off and back on is the workaround.

2. Removing or Resetting the Screen Time Passcode

This is where many users run into friction. If you — or someone else — set a Screen Time passcode and you no longer remember it, the process to clear it depends on your iOS version and whether the device is linked to an Apple ID.

On iOS 13.4 and later, Apple allows you to recover a forgotten Screen Time passcode using your Apple ID credentials. When prompted for the Screen Time passcode, tap Forgot Passcode?, then authenticate with your Apple ID. This resets the passcode without wiping device data.

On older iOS versions, recovery options are more limited. A full device restore through iTunes or Finder may be required if the passcode cannot be recovered — which does erase the device.

3. Turning Off Screen Time Entirely 🔒

To disable Screen Time completely:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Screen Time
3. Scroll to the bottom
4. Tap Turn Off Screen Time
5. If a passcode is set, you'll be prompted to enter it

Once disabled, all limits, restrictions, and usage logs are cleared. The feature stops tracking until it's re-enabled.

4. Resetting App Limits Without Turning Off Screen Time

If you only want to remove specific App Limits rather than clearing everything:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits
2. Tap the category or app you want to modify
3. Tap Delete Limit

This removes individual restrictions without affecting usage history or other Screen Time settings.

Variables That Affect Your Experience

Several factors shape how this process works in practice:

iOS version matters significantly. The passcode recovery pathway introduced in iOS 13.4 changed the landscape for users who forget their Screen Time PIN. Running an older version limits your options considerably.

Whether a Screen Time passcode was set determines how much friction you'll encounter. Without a passcode, turning off Screen Time is a few taps. With one — and if you've forgotten it — the process becomes considerably more involved.

Family Sharing setup adds another layer. If the iPhone belongs to a child account managed through Family Sharing, the child cannot turn off Screen Time or change limits independently. The parent account controls those settings from their own device via Screen Time in Settings or the Family section of their Apple ID.

Whether the device is managed by an MDM profile (common on work or school devices) means Screen Time restrictions may be enforced at an organizational level — not by a personal passcode. In those cases, the user cannot clear or override settings without the device being released from management.

When the Data Disappears Automatically

Screen Time usage data doesn't accumulate forever. Apple stores up to the last 4 weeks of usage data. Older data drops off automatically. So if you're looking at a fresh slate over time, waiting isn't entirely unreasonable — though turning Screen Time off and on remains the fastest way to reset.

What "Clearing" Looks Like Across Different Setups

A parent managing a child's device has a fundamentally different experience than an adult resetting their own habits. Someone with a managed corporate iPhone has fewer options than a personal device owner. A user on the latest iOS has recovery pathways unavailable on older builds.

The mechanics of clearing Screen Time are straightforward once you identify which piece you're targeting — but the right path depends entirely on the combination of factors specific to your device, account setup, and what you're actually trying to reset.