Open Settings and find the passcode menu

To change your iPhone 13 passcode, start by opening the Settings app — the gray gear icon on your home screen. Scroll down until you see Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode if you use your fingerprint instead). Tap it.

The system will ask you to enter your current passcode before it shows you the change options. This is a security step — it confirms you own the phone before allowing any changes to how it unlocks. Type in your current passcode and tap Passcode Options at the bottom of the screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before you can change it, even if you remember it perfectly.
  • iPhone 13 defaults to a six-digit passcode, but you can switch to four digits, a custom length, or alphanumeric characters if you prefer.
  • If you forget your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase and set up the phone again through a computer or iCloud.
  • The new passcode takes effect when ready once you confirm it, so write it down or save it somewhere safe before you close Settings.

Choose your new passcode format

After you tap Passcode Options, you see four choices: Custom Alphanumeric Code, Custom Numeric Code, 4-Digit Numeric Code, and 6-Digit Numeric Code. The phone currently uses a six-digit number by default. Most people stick with this unless they have a reason to change it.

If you want something easier to remember, pick 4-Digit Numeric Code. If you want something harder to guess, pick Custom Alphanumeric Code — this lets you use letters, numbers, and symbols mixed together. Once you choose, tap it and the system will ask you to enter your new passcode.

Enter and confirm your new passcode twice

Type in the passcode you want to use. If you chose a numeric code, use only numbers. If you chose alphanumeric, you can use uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The phone does not show what you are typing — dots appear instead for security.

After you enter it once, the screen says Re-enter your new passcode. Type the exact same passcode again. If the two do not match, the phone tells you and asks you to try again. This prevents typos from locking you out of your own device.

Confirm the change and test it

Once both entries match, tap Done or the checkmark button. The system confirms the change and returns you to the main Settings screen. Your new passcode is now active.

Before you close Settings, test it: lock your phone by pressing the side button and the volume-up button at the same time, or by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then unlock it using your new passcode to make sure it works. If you made a typo during entry, you will find out when ready rather than being locked out later.

What to do if you forget your current passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — the phone will not let you proceed past the first screen. You will need to erase the phone and set it up again, which erases all data unless you have a backup.

To erase it, use a computer and connect your iPhone 13 with a USB cable, then open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows). Select your phone, click Restore, and follow the prompts. You can then restore from an iCloud or computer backup if you have one. If you do not have a backup, you lose everything on the phone.

Why your passcode matters more than Face ID

Your passcode is the backup unlock method for your iPhone 13. Even though Face ID is faster, the passcode is what actually protects your phone if someone steals it, disables Face ID, or if the system fails. A strong passcode — one that is not your birthday, a straightforward sequence, or a number someone could guess — is worth the extra second it takes to type.

If you use a four-digit code for convenience, consider using a six-digit or alphanumeric code instead. The difference in unlock time is small, but the difference in security is large. You can always change it back later using the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passcode I use for other accounts?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone guesses or discovers your passcode for one account, they can try it on your phone. A unique passcode for your iPhone makes it harder for someone to access everything at once.

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

After six failed attempts, the phone disables for 1 minute. After ten failed attempts, it disables for 5 minutes. After fifteen failed attempts, it disables for 15 minutes or longer. After many more failures, the phone offers to erase itself. This is intentional — it prevents someone from guessing your passcode by trying thousands of combinations.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

No, Apple does not require regular passcode changes. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used a weak passcode, or if you want to update to something stronger. Otherwise, one strong passcode that you do not share is enough.

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. The phone requires your current passcode before allowing any changes. This prevents someone who picks up your unlocked phone from locking you out by changing the passcode.