How to Recover iPhone Restriction Passcode Easily

One of the features on your iPhone called restrictions allows you to set parental controls on the device so that users cannot access the locked content. It is actually a feature for parents to control what their kids can and cannot access on your iPhones. Whether you want to unlock some content or you wish to lock something, you need to enter a restriction passcode on your iPhone to be able to do it.

A restriction passcode is a passcode that you use to access the restriction function’s settings on your iPhone. It allows you to change the settings, lock and unlock content, and so on. If you have forgotten this passcode and are unable to get access to the settings panel, the following guide will help you out.

The guide shows how you can figure out the restriction passcode on your iPhone so you can access the parental controls on your device.

Recover Forgotten iPhone Restriction Passcode

There are two methods that you can use to unlock the restriction code on your iPhone. The first method uses your iTunes backup file where your passcode is saved and the second method restores your device as a new iPhone.

Feel free to go with any of the methods that you think is suitable for you. However, keep in mind the second method will erase all the data stored on your device.

Method 1. Using Your iPhone’s iTunes Backup

Every iPhone backup that you create using iTunes has your restriction passcode saved in it. What this method does is it lets you access the file that has your passcode saved in so you can view it and use it on your iPhone.

The procedure varies for Windows and Mac users. Please follow the instructions for your operating system.

Windows Users:

Since the file you will be accessing uses a format that is not natively supported by Windows, you will need to install an app that can handle the format for you. The steps below cover the app as well for you.

Step 1 Head over to the Plist Pad app website and download and install the app on your PC. It will let you open .plist files on your computer.

Step 2 Head over to the following path on your PC and open the file named adoption.plist using Plist Pad. Make sure to replace username with your own username.

C:/users/[username]/AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/MobileSync/Backup/

Step 3 When the file opens, you will find your restriction passcode between the <interger> and </interger> tags.

That is how you find the restriction passcode for your iPhone using an iTunes backup on Windows.

Mac Users:

Step 1 Head to your desktop so you are in a Finder window. Click on the Go menu at the top and select the option that says Go to Folder.

Step 2 When the Go to Folder panel opens, enter in the following path and click on the Go button.

~/Library/Application Support/App Store/

Step 3 When the directory opens, find the file named adoption.plist, right-click on the file and select Open With followed by TextEdit. Your passcode should be listed between the <interger> and </interger> tags.

That is how you recover the restriction passcode for your iPhone on Mac.

Method 2. Restore Your iPhone Using iTunes

If the above methods did not work for you for some reason, you can set up your iPhone as a new device and that should remove the restriction passcode completely from your device. If you do not mind getting all the data erased on your device, the following is how you remove the restriction passcode from your iPhone.

Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the iTunes app. Click on your device in the app, click on the Summary option, and then click on the Restore iPhone button. Ensure you do not restore an existing iPhone backup. Simply choose to set up your device as a new one.

Once your device is set up, you will find the restriction passcode is gone.

The Bottom Line

If you ever forget the restriction passcode for your iPhone, our guide above should help you recover it using various methods. If nothing works, you can always set up your device as a new one and it will remove the passcode for you.