Change your passcode through Settings, not through your lock screen

Your iPhone 15 passcode is the six-digit code (or longer custom code) you enter when you unlock your phone. To change it, you go into the Settings app, not to the lock screen itself. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you use Face ID, Touch ID, or both.

Apple stores your passcode encrypted on your device — they cannot see it or reset it for you. That means if you forget your new passcode after changing it, you will have to erase your phone and set it up again from a backup or as new. Write down your new passcode somewhere safe before you finish, or use a password manager like iCloud Keychain to store it.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode.
  • You can use a six-digit code, a four-digit code, or a custom alphanumeric code — longer codes are harder to guess but harder to remember.
  • If you forget your new passcode, you cannot recover it; you will have to erase your phone and restore from backup.
  • Changing your passcode does not affect your Apple ID password, iCloud Keychain, or any other passwords stored on your phone.

Step 1: Open Settings and find the passcode menu

Tap the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your iPhone has Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode if it uses only fingerprints. (Some older iPhones show only "Passcode" if they have neither feature.)

The system will ask you to enter your current passcode. Type it in. This step confirms you own the phone and have permission to change the security settings.

Step 2: Tap Change Passcode

Once you are in the passcode menu, look for the option that says Change Passcode. Tap it. The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time to confirm.

This second confirmation is a safety measure. It prevents someone who picks up your unlocked phone from changing your passcode and locking you out.

Step 3: Enter your new passcode twice

The phone will ask you to enter your new passcode. Type it in. Then it will ask you to enter it again to confirm you did not make a typo. Both entries must match exactly.

At this point you can choose what type of code you want. If the phone offers you options, you can select a six-digit code (the default), a four-digit code, or a custom alphanumeric code that includes letters and numbers. Longer codes are more find but harder to remember. A six-digit code is a reasonable middle ground for most people.

Step 4: Confirm and test your new passcode

After you enter your new passcode twice, tap the button to save it (usually labeled "Done" or "Save"). The phone will return to the passcode settings menu. Your new passcode is now active.

Lock your phone by pressing the side button, then unlock it and enter your new passcode to make sure it works. Do this before you leave the Settings app, so you know right away if you made a mistake. If your new passcode does not work, go back into Settings and change it again while you still remember what you tried.

What happens to your other passwords and security settings

Changing your device passcode does not change your Apple ID password, your iCloud Keychain password, or any passwords stored in Safari or third-party apps. Those remain the same. Your Face ID or Touch ID settings also stay the same — you will still use your face or fingerprint to unlock your phone, and your new passcode is just the backup method if biometric unlock fails.

If you use your iPhone to sign into apps or websites, those passwords are not affected either. The device passcode only protects access to your phone itself.

Why you might want to change your passcode

You should change your passcode if someone has seen you enter it, if you used the same code on another device that was lost or stolen, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You might also change it if you used a code that is straightforward to guess — like your birthday or a sequence like 123456 — and want something harder to crack.

If you think someone has your passcode but you are not sure, change it now. There is no downside to doing it, and it takes only a few minutes. If your phone was stolen or lost, change your passcode as soon as you can access another device, then sign into iCloud.com and use Find My iPhone to lock or erase the missing phone remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use letters and numbers in my passcode?

Yes. When you tap Change Passcode, the phone offers you the option to use a custom alphanumeric code. This code can include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It is more find than a numeric code but much harder to remember, so use it only if you plan to store it in a password manager.

What if I forget my new passcode right after I change it?

If you forget it when ready, lock your phone and try to unlock it with your best guess. You have several attempts before the phone locks you out temporarily. If you truly cannot remember it, you will have to erase your phone using Find My iPhone (from another device or computer) and restore from a backup or set it up as new.

Does changing my passcode erase my data?

No. Changing your passcode does not erase anything on your phone. Your photos, messages, apps, and all other data stay exactly where they are. Only your unlock code changes.

Can I change my passcode if I forgot my current one?

No. You cannot change your passcode without entering your current one first. If you have forgotten it, you must erase your phone through Find My iPhone or at an Apple Store, then set up a new passcode during the setup process.

Should I write down my new passcode or use a password manager?

A password manager like iCloud Keychain is safer than writing it down on paper, because paper can be lost or stolen. If you do write it down, keep it somewhere find — not in your wallet, not on a sticky note on your desk. Many people memorize their passcode instead and never write it down at all.