With iOS 6, Apple introduced a much needed feature called Guided Access Mode, which I will call Kids Mode. What this does is lock your iPhone, iPad (Mini), or iPod Touch into a single app that requires a passcode to get out of the app. All of the hardware buttons are disabled when in Kid’s Mode (Home Button, Volume Buttons, Ring Silencer, and On/Off Switch). This is a fantastic feature that is perfect for when you give your iOS device to your toddler or one of your other kids and you want to make sure they don’t accidentally delete photos and send random text messages. For more on how to activate Kid Mode (Guided Access Mode), click here: How to Turn on Kid’s Mode. This has been the perfect feature to let my 2 year old practice learning the ABCs on my iPhone. I use a free app called Alphabet Tracing (click here to find this app in the App Store: Alphabet Tracing). Once in the app, I activate Kid’s Mode and let my 2 year old practice away.

Great feature, right? But what happens if you forget your passcode after you have activated Kid’s Mode? What happens if your device won’t come off of guided access mode or respond to the triple tap of the Home Button? Here is how to exit Kid Mode when you have forgotten your passcode or when you can’t otherwise deactivate Kids Mode.

All you need to do is what’s called a Hard Reset. This is where you hold down the Home Button and the On/Off button (located on the top of your device), for about 15-20 seconds. Your device’s screen will go black, then the Apple logo will appear, and when the logo disappears and the screen goes black again, let go of both buttons. Then push the On/Off button again. Your device will turn back on and you will no longer be in Kid’s Mode (Guided Access Mode). To learn more about performing a Hard Reset on your device, see this article: Hard Reset your iOS Device every couple of weeks to maintain performance.