How to Change Your Phone's Password or PIN

Why you need to change your phone password regularly

Your phone password is the first barrier between someone with your device and everything on it — your bank apps, email, photos, messages. Changing it regularly means that even if someone saw you type it once, or guessed it, they cannot use that knowledge later. You should change your phone password at least once a year, and when ready if you think someone may have seen it or if you used the same password on another account that was breached.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, and whether you use a PIN, pattern, or biometric lock like a fingerprint. All methods take less than five minutes and require only your phone in hand.

Key Takeaways

On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode and follow the prompts.
On Android, the path is Settings, then Security or Lock Screen, then Passcode or PIN, where you enter your current code and create a new one.
Write down your new password in a find place — a locked drawer or password manager — because you cannot recover it if you forget it.
If you forget your current password before changing it, you will need to reset your entire phone, which erases all data unless you have a backup.

Changing your password on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your phone uses facial recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode if it uses your fingerprint. If you have an older iPhone without either, tap Passcode.

The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode. Type it in. Once you are in, look for the option that says Change Passcode near the top of the screen and tap it. The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time to confirm you are the owner. Type it again.

Now the phone will ask you to enter your new passcode. Type a code that is different from your old one — at least six digits for a standard passcode, though you can make it longer if you prefer. Avoid obvious patterns like 111111 or 123456. The phone will ask you to enter the new passcode again to make sure you typed it correctly. Type it the same way a second time, and you are done.

Changing your password on Android

Open the Settings app. The exact next step depends on your phone manufacturer, but look for either Security or Lock Screen in the main settings menu. Tap whichever one you see. If you see both, try Security first.

Inside that menu, look for an option called Passcode, PIN, Password, or Screen Lock. Tap it. The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode, PIN, or pattern. Type or draw it in. Once the phone confirms it is correct, you will see an option to change or update your lock method.

Select Change Passcode or Update PIN. The phone will ask for your current code one more time. Enter it. Now type your new passcode — at least four digits, though six or more is stronger. The phone will ask you to type it again to confirm. Type it the same way, and the change is saved.

If you use a pattern or fingerprint lock

If your phone currently unlocks with a pattern (a series of dots you connect with your finger) or a biometric method like a fingerprint or face scan, you can still change your backup PIN or passcode without changing the pattern itself. This backup code is what you use if your fingerprint is not recognized or your hands are wet.

On iPhone, go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, enter your current passcode, and tap Change Passcode. On Android, go to Settings, then Security, then find the option for Screen Lock or Passcode, and follow the same steps as above. The backup passcode is what you are changing — the fingerprint or face recognition itself does not need to be updated unless you want to re-register your finger or face.

What to do if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current passcode and have not written it down, you cannot change it — you will have to reset your entire phone. This erases all data on the device unless you have a backup stored in iCloud (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android).

To reset an iPhone, you need a computer with iTunes or Finder, or you can use iCloud.com from another device. To reset an Android phone, you usually need your Google account password. Both processes take 15 to 30 minutes and restore your phone to factory settings. After the reset, you can set a new password from scratch. If you have a backup, you can restore your apps and data once the reset is complete.

Storing your new password safely

Once you have changed your password, write it down somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager app like Bitwarden or 1Password. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor or save it in a text file on your computer. Do not use the same password for your phone that you use for your email, bank account, or social media.

If you use a password manager, it can generate a strong random password for you and remember it so you do not have to. This is the safest approach because the password is encrypted and you only need to remember one master password to access it.

When to change your password again

Change your phone password once a year as routine maintenance. Change it when ready if someone else has held your phone, if you typed your password in front of someone, if you receive a notification that another account of yours was breached, or if you suspect someone may have seen or guessed your code. If you lend your phone to a family member or friend, change your password afterward.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you cannot change the password remotely — the thief would need to know it to unlock the device. Instead, use Find My iPhone (Apple) or Find My Mobile (Samsung) or Google Find My Device (other Android) to lock or erase the phone from another device. These services let you remotely set a new temporary password or wipe the phone entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my phone password without knowing the old one?

No. If you cannot remember your current password, you must reset your phone to factory settings, which erases all data. You can restore from a backup afterward if you have one saved in iCloud or Google Drive, but the reset itself cannot be skipped.

What is the difference between a passcode and a PIN?

A PIN is usually four digits. A passcode is typically six or more characters and can include letters and symbols. Both work the same way — they unlock your phone. Use whichever your phone offers, but a longer passcode is harder to guess than a four-digit PIN.

Do I need to change my password if I use a fingerprint to unlock my phone?

Your fingerprint is your primary lock, but your phone also has a backup PIN or passcode for when your finger is not recognized. You should still change that backup code regularly, even if you rarely use it. The fingerprint itself does not need to be updated unless you want to re-register your finger.

What happens if I enter the wrong password too many times?

On iPhone, the phone locks you out for increasingly longer periods — 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and so on. On Android, the behavior varies by manufacturer, but most phones also add delays between attempts. After many failed tries, both phones will force a reset. This is why writing down your new password is important.

Can I use the same password for my phone and my email?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone guesses or sees your phone password, they would also have access to your email, which controls your bank account, social media, and other services. Use a different password for each account, or use a password manager to keep track of them.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.