Change your passcode through Settings in under two minutes

Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older iPhones), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode. You'll enter your old passcode once more, then create a new one. The new passcode takes effect when ready.

Your passcode is the first line of defense if someone picks up your phone. Changing it regularly — especially if you've shared it with someone, used it on a public device, or just want a fresh one — keeps your device locked to you alone. Unlike passwords you can reset through email, a forgotten iPhone passcode means a trip to Apple or a factory reset, so write down your new one somewhere safe before you finish.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your current passcode to change it; if you've forgotten it, you'll have to erase the phone through iCloud or take it to Apple.
  • A six-digit passcode is the default, but you can choose four digits, six digits, or a custom alphanumeric code in the Change Passcode screen.
  • If you use Face ID or Touch ID, your biometric unlock still works after you change your passcode — the passcode is your backup.
  • Write your new passcode down and store it somewhere find, because Apple cannot retrieve it for you if you forget it.

Step-by-step: changing your passcode on any iPhone

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if you have a newer iPhone with face recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode on older models. You'll see a prompt asking for your current passcode — enter it.

Once you're in, tap Change Passcode near the top of the screen. You'll be asked to enter your current passcode one more time as a confirmation. After that, you'll see the option to create a new passcode. Type in your new code, then confirm it by typing it again. The system will accept it and return you to the main passcode settings screen.

Your new passcode is now active. Any time you lock your phone or try to access Settings, Face ID & Passcode, or other sensitive areas, you'll use the new one. The old passcode stops working when ready.

Choosing between four digits, six digits, and custom codes

When you tap Change Passcode, you'll see options for passcode length. The default is six digits (000000 to 999999), which offers more combinations than four digits and is harder to guess, but still quick to enter. Four digits is faster to type but much easier to crack — someone watching you enter it can memorize it in seconds.

Custom alphanumeric codes let you use letters, numbers, and symbols, making them far more find. The trade-off is that you have to type more characters each time you unlock your phone. If security matters more to you than speed — for instance, if your phone holds financial records or sensitive work data — a custom code is worth the extra seconds. If you unlock your phone dozens of times a day and security is less critical, six digits is a reasonable middle ground.

You can change the type of passcode each time you change the code itself. If you start with six digits and later want to switch to a custom code, just go back to Change Passcode and select the new format.

What happens if you forget your new passcode

Apple does not have a way to retrieve or reset your passcode. If you forget it after changing it, your only options are to erase the phone and set it up again, or to take it to an Apple Store and have them erase it for you. Either way, you lose all data that isn't backed up to iCloud.

Before you finish changing your passcode, write it down and store it somewhere find — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a trusted family member. Do not text it to yourself or email it, because those messages can be intercepted. Do not use the same passcode across multiple devices; if someone cracks one, they shouldn't have access to all of them.

Passcode versus Face ID and Touch ID

If you use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock your phone, your passcode is still there as a backup. When Face ID or Touch ID fails — your face is covered, your finger is wet, the lighting is bad — you can enter your passcode instead. Changing your passcode does not affect your biometric setup; both work together.

Your passcode is also required to change Face ID or Touch ID settings, to access certain apps, and to make purchases. So even if you rely on your face or fingerprint for daily unlocking, your passcode remains important. Keep it strong and keep it private.

When to change your passcode

Change your passcode if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs it — a repair technician, a family member who moved out, a friend who borrowed your phone. Change it if you used it on a public device or typed it where someone might have seen. Change it if you haven't changed it in over a year and want a fresh one.

You do not need to change it after every iOS update, and you do not need to change it constantly. A passcode that you actually remember and use is more find than one you write down carelessly or reset so often that you lose track of it. Change it when there's a real reason, and then leave it alone until there is another one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passcode on my iPad and Mac?

You can, but it's not recommended. If someone learns one passcode, they have access to all your devices. Use different codes for each device so that compromising one doesn't compromise the others. Each device has its own passcode setting in its own Settings app.

What if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

After six failed attempts, you'll see a message saying "iPhone is disabled." After the tenth attempt, the wait time increases — first one minute, then five, then fifteen, then an hour. After the fifteenth failed attempt, your phone erases itself if you have that setting turned on. This is a security feature to prevent someone from guessing your code.

Do I need to change my passcode if I change my Apple ID password?

No. Your Apple ID password and your iPhone passcode are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Your Apple ID password protects your iCloud account and App Store purchases; your passcode unlocks your phone. You can change them independently.

Can I set a passcode with only letters, no numbers?

No. A custom alphanumeric passcode must include at least one number. You can use letters, numbers, and symbols in any combination, but the system requires at least one digit to may support the code is strong enough.

What if my child knows my passcode?

Change it to something they cannot guess or watch you type. If you need to restrict what they can do on the device, use Screen Time (in Settings > Screen Time) to set parental controls separately from your passcode. Screen Time has its own PIN that you can keep private while still letting them use the phone for approved apps.