What a screen lock is and why you might change it

A screen lock is the security barrier that appears when you wake up your phone or computer — the thing that stops someone from picking up your device and using it without your permission. It can be a PIN (a string of numbers), a pattern (lines you draw on a grid), a password (letters and numbers mixed), a fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You might change your screen lock because you forgot the current one, because you want something stronger, because you share a device with someone and want to change a code they know, or because you straightforward want a different method. The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen locks on iPhones are changed through Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), and you will need your current passcode or Apple ID to make the change.
  • Android phones use Settings > Security > Screen Lock or Settings > Biometrics & Security depending on the manufacturer, and the exact path varies by brand.
  • Windows computers use Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options to change your PIN, password, or Windows Hello face or fingerprint lock.
  • If you forget your current lock, you will need to reset the device using your backup account (Apple ID, Google Account, or Microsoft Account) rather than changing it.
  • Biometric locks like fingerprint and face recognition are faster to use but require a backup PIN or password in case the sensor fails.

Changing a screen lock on iPhone

Open Settings and scroll down to find Face ID & Passcode (on newer iPhones with face recognition) or Touch ID & Passcode (on older models with fingerprint). Tap it. You will be asked to enter your current passcode before you can make any changes — this is a security step to prevent someone else from locking you out of your own phone.

Once you are in, you will see the option to "Change Passcode" at the top. Tap it, enter your current passcode again, then enter your new passcode twice. If you want to use a different lock method entirely — for example, switching from a passcode to Face ID — you can turn off the current method and turn on a new one from the same screen.

If you forget your current passcode, you cannot straightforward change it. Instead, you will need to erase the phone and set it up again using your Apple ID. This is intentional: Apple makes it hard to lock someone out of their own device, but it also means you cannot bypass a forgotten code.

Changing a screen lock on Android

The path varies by manufacturer. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Biometrics & Security > Screen Lock Type. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Screen Lock. On other brands, look for Settings > Security or Settings > Lock Screen. Once you find the right menu, tap your current lock type and you will be prompted to verify it before you can change it.

Choose your new lock type from the list — PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint, or face unlock depending on what your phone supports. If you are switching to a biometric method like fingerprint, you will be asked to scan your finger multiple times so the phone learns your print from different angles. If you are switching to a PIN or password, enter it twice to confirm.

If you forget your Android lock, the recovery process depends on whether you set up a Google Account on the phone. If you did, you can use that account to reset the lock after a certain number of failed attempts. If you did not, you will need to factory reset the phone, which erases everything on it.

Changing a screen lock on Windows

Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options. You will see your current sign-in method at the top — this might be a password, a PIN, Windows Hello face recognition, or Windows Hello fingerprint. To change it, click on the method you want to replace and select "Remove." Then click on the new method you want to use and follow the prompts to set it up.

If you want to add a second way to sign in without removing the first one, you can do that too — for example, keeping your password and adding a PIN. Windows will ask you to verify your current password before letting you add anything new.

If you forget your Windows password, you can use a password reset disk if you created one beforehand, or you can use your Microsoft Account to reset it from another device. If you did neither, you will need to contact Microsoft support or take the computer to a technician.

Changing a screen lock on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, or on older Macs, System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Look for the "Change Password" button. You will need to enter your current password first. Then enter your new password twice and click "Change Password."

Macs do not offer PIN or pattern locks the way phones do — your sign-in method is always a password. However, you can set up Touch ID (fingerprint) on newer Macs as an additional way to unlock the computer without typing your password every time. To do this, go to System Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and follow the prompts to register your fingerprint.

If you forget your Mac password, you can reset it using your Apple ID if you set that up when you created your account. If you did not, you will need to use another administrator account on the same Mac, or you will need to reset the entire Mac.

Biometric locks versus PIN and password locks

Biometric locks — fingerprint and face recognition — are faster and more convenient because you do not have to type anything. However, they are not stronger than a good password. A fingerprint can be copied from a surface you touched, and face recognition can sometimes be fooled by a photo or a similar-looking person. For this reason, every device that offers biometric locks also requires you to set a backup PIN or password.

If you choose a biometric lock, use a strong backup code: at least six digits for a PIN, or a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols for a password. This backup code is what someone would need to use if your fingerprint sensor breaks or if they cover your face. It is also what you will use if you are wearing gloves, a mask, or anything else that blocks the biometric sensor.

What to do if you forget your screen lock

If you forget your lock code, you cannot change it — you have to reset the device. The exact process depends on what kind of device you have and what backup account you set up.

On iPhone, you will need your Apple ID and password. On Android, you will need your Google Account. On Windows, you will need your Microsoft Account. On Mac, you will need your Apple ID. If you do not remember the password to any of these accounts, you can recover it through the account provider's website, but this can take time.

The reset process erases everything on the device unless you have a backup. For this reason, it is worth writing down your screen lock somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a password manager or a locked drawer at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same screen lock on my phone and computer?

You can use the same code, but it is not recommended. If someone learns your phone PIN, they would also know your computer PIN. It is better to use different codes for different devices, especially since your computer might contain more sensitive information than your phone.

What is the strongest type of screen lock?

A long password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols is stronger than a short PIN, which is stronger than a pattern. However, the strongest lock is one you will actually use — if a strong lock is so annoying that you disable it, a weak lock you keep on is better. Most people find a six-digit PIN or a biometric lock with a strong backup password to be a good balance.

Do I need to change my screen lock regularly?

No. Unlike passwords for online accounts, your screen lock does not need to be changed unless you suspect someone knows it, you want to switch to a different method, or you are selling or giving away the device. Changing it frequently can actually make you more likely to forget it.

What happens if someone enters the wrong screen lock too many times?

On iPhones, the device locks you out for increasingly long periods — first 60 seconds, then 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, and so on. On Android, it depends on the manufacturer, but most phones also add delays between attempts. On Windows and Mac, you typically get unlimited attempts, but the device will not let you in until you enter the correct code.