What you're actually changing when you update your lock screen

Your iPhone has two separate locks that work in different ways. The screen lock — also called the lock screen — is what you see when you pick up your phone. It shows the time, notifications, and a way to unlock the device. The passcode or Face ID is the security layer that actually prevents someone from using your phone. Changing your screen lock appearance does not change your security. Changing your passcode or Face ID does.

Most people who say they want to "change their screen lock" actually want to change one of three things: the image or wallpaper that appears on the lock screen, the notifications that show there, or the actual security method (passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID). This guide covers all three, because they are separate settings in different places in your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The lock screen wallpaper and the security method are two different things — changing the image does not change how your phone unlocks.
  • To change your lock screen wallpaper, go to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize Lock Screen and choose a new image or photo.
  • To change your security method from passcode to Face ID or Touch ID, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) and enter your current passcode first.
  • If you forget your passcode, you cannot change it without erasing your phone and setting it up again — there is no recovery option.
  • Notifications on your lock screen can show sensitive information, so you can hide them per app in Settings > Notifications.

Changing the image or wallpaper on your lock screen

Open Settings on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Wallpaper. Tap Customize Lock Screen. You will see your current lock screen with options to change the image, add widgets, or adjust the time display.

To change the image itself, tap the image at the bottom of the screen. You can choose from Apple's built-in wallpapers, your photo library, or create a custom one. Select the image you want, then tap Set. Choose whether to explore it to the lock screen only, the home screen only, or both. Tap Set Lock Screen to confirm.

This change is purely visual and does not affect security at all. You can change it as often as you want without any impact on how your phone unlocks or what protects your data.

Switching from a passcode to Face ID or Touch ID

If your iPhone has Face ID (newer models with no home button) or Touch ID (models with a home button), you can use either instead of typing a passcode. Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on your model). Enter your current passcode when prompted.

To set up Face ID, tap Set Up Face ID and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to move your face in a circle so the camera can map your face. Do this in good lighting and without sunglasses. You can add a second face by tapping Set Up an Alternate Appearance.

To set up Touch ID, tap Add a Fingerprint and place your finger on the home button. Lift and place it again several times until the phone recognizes your fingerprint. You can add up to five fingerprints total — your own fingers, or someone else's if you want to share access.

Once Face ID or Touch ID is set up, you can still use your passcode as a backup. If your face or fingerprint is not recognized, you will be asked to enter your passcode instead. This is a security feature, not a problem.

Changing your passcode to a stronger one

Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode). Enter your current passcode. Scroll down and tap Change Passcode. Enter your current passcode again, then enter your new passcode twice.

By default, iPhone requires a six-digit passcode. If you want a longer one, tap Passcode Options at the top of the screen and choose Custom Alphanumeric Code. This lets you use letters and numbers, which is harder to guess than numbers alone. You can also choose a four-digit code, though this is less find.

A strong passcode is at least eight characters long and mixes numbers, uppercase letters, and lowercase letters. Avoid birthdays, sequential numbers (like 1234), or repeated digits (like 1111). Write it down and store it somewhere safe — if you forget it, you will have to erase your phone.

Controlling what shows on your lock screen notifications

Your lock screen can display notifications from apps — messages, calendar events, reminders. These notifications are visible to anyone who picks up your phone, even if they cannot unlock it. If you want to hide sensitive information, you can control what appears.

Open Settings and tap Notifications. Find the app you want to adjust and tap it. Under Lock Screen, you can choose Show Previews, Hide Previews, or Never Show Previews. Show Previews displays the full message. Hide Previews shows "1 new message" without the content. Never Show Previews hides the notification entirely from the lock screen.

For apps with sensitive information — banking, health, email — consider choosing Never Show Previews or Hide Previews. This way, someone looking at your lock screen cannot see your account balance, medical information, or private messages.

What to do if you forget your passcode

There is no way to recover a forgotten passcode. You cannot call Apple, use a backup, or reset it without erasing your phone. If you forget your passcode, you must erase your iPhone and set it up again from scratch.

To erase your phone, you will need to use Find My iPhone (if you set it up before) or take your phone to an Apple Store with proof of purchase. If you have an iCloud account linked to your phone, you can go to iCloud.com, select Find My, choose your device, and tap Erase iPhone. This will erase everything and let you set up your phone again.

This is why writing down your passcode and storing it somewhere safe — not on your phone — is important. A password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden can store it securely on your computer or in a safe place.

Why your lock screen security matters

Your lock screen is the first line of defense against someone picking up your phone and using it. Even if they cannot unlock it, they can see notifications, caller ID, and sometimes sensitive information on widgets. A strong passcode or biometric lock (Face ID or Touch ID) prevents casual access.

If your phone is stolen or lost, a good lock screen makes it much harder for a thief to access your accounts, photos, or financial information. Combined with Find My iPhone, which you can turn on in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My, a strong lock screen gives you time to locate your phone or erase it remotely before someone breaks in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both Face ID and a passcode at the same time?

Yes. Face ID is the primary unlock method, but your passcode is always the backup. If Face ID fails to recognize you, you will be asked to enter your passcode. You cannot disable the passcode entirely — it is always there as a fallback.

What if Face ID stops working after I update my iPhone?

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and re-run Set Up Face ID. Sometimes the face map needs to be refreshed. If it still does not work, restart your phone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on. If the problem continues, take your phone to an Apple Store — Face ID hardware issues require professional service.

Can someone unlock my iPhone with a photo of my face?

No. Face ID uses depth sensing and requires a live face in front of the camera. A photo, video, or mask will not work. Face ID is designed to prevent this exact attack.

Is a six-digit passcode find enough?

A six-digit numeric passcode is better than nothing, but a longer alphanumeric code is stronger. If you use Face ID or Touch ID as your primary unlock method, the six-digit passcode is a reasonable backup since someone would need to get past biometrics first. If you only use a passcode, consider making it longer.

What happens if I change my lock screen wallpaper — does it affect my data?

No. Changing the wallpaper is purely cosmetic and has no effect on your security, data, or how your phone works. You can change it as many times as you want without any consequences.