iOS

Securing iPhone with Screen Time

Securing the iPhone this way makes it much harder for a thief (or anyone who briefly gets your device) to hijack your Apple ID, change your password, disable Find My, or remove your account from the phone just by knowing your lock-screen code. This adds a second barrier on top of your normal passcode, so attackers are blocked before they can even open the Apple ID settings screen.​

Goal of this setup

  • Prevent anyone with your lock-screen code from changing your Apple ID password.​
  • Prevent disabling Find My or signing you out of iCloud without an extra, hidden passcode.​
  • Keep your Apple ID settings inaccessible unless you explicitly unlock them via Screen Time.​

Step 1 – Turn on Screen Time

  1. Open Settings → tap “Screen Time”.​
  2. If it is off, tap “Turn On Screen Time”.​
  3. Choose that this is your iPhone (not a child’s device) and finish the basic setup until you see the main Screen Time page.​

Step 2 – Block account changes

  1. In Screen Time, tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.​
  2. Scroll down and tap “Account Changes”.​
  3. Select “Don’t Allow”.​
  4. Go back to the main Screen Time page (do not turn Content & Privacy off; leave it enabled).​

Effect: iOS will now treat Apple ID/account settings as restricted, so they cannot be opened unless Screen Time allows it.​

Step 3 – Create a separate Screen Time passcode

  1. In Screen Time, scroll until you find “Use Screen Time Passcode” or “Lock Screen Time Settings” and tap it.​

  2. Create a Screen Time passcode that is different from your lock-screen code.​

  3. Decide about recovery:

    • Maximum security (video’s suggestion): tap “Cancel” when asked to set a recovery option, then confirm “Skip”. This means only you, who knows this passcode, can change these settings.​
    • More convenience: if you fear forgetting the code, you can link it to your Apple ID as recovery by entering your Apple ID and password when prompted.​

  4. Memorize the Screen Time code and/or store it in a password manager; do not reuse your normal device PIN.​

Step 4 – Verify that Apple ID is protected

  1. Go back to the first Settings screen.
  2. Try tapping your name/Apple ID banner at the top.​
  3. You should see that you cannot access the Apple ID settings anymore (it is effectively blocked by Screen Time).​

Result: if someone steals your phone and knows your lock-screen passcode, they still cannot open your Apple ID settings to change password, remove your account, or disable Find My, because they do not know the Screen Time passcode.​

Step 5 – How to temporarily access your Apple ID

Whenever you need to manage Apple ID/iCloud:

  1. Open Settings → Screen Time → “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.​
  2. Scroll down, tap “Account Changes”.​
  3. Enter your Screen Time passcode when asked.​
  4. Change “Don’t Allow” to “Allow”.​
  5. Go back out to Settings, wait 5–10 seconds, then tap your name at the top; your Apple ID settings should open normally.​

When finished:

  1. Go back to Settings → Screen Time → “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.​
  2. Tap “Account Changes” → enter Screen Time passcode → set back to “Don’t Allow”.​
  3. After a few seconds the Apple ID section will be locked again.​

This routine keeps your Apple ID effectively behind a second secret code, dramatically reducing the chance that someone who gets your iPhone can take over your entire digital life.​

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