The basic steps for changing your tablet password

The way you change a password on your tablet depends on which operating system it runs — iPad uses iOS, while most other tablets run Android. Both systems keep the password change buried in settings rather than on the home screen, but the process takes less than five minutes once you find the right menu.

You will need to know your current password to change it. If you have forgotten it, you will need to reset the tablet itself, which erases everything on it — that is a separate process covered below. If you remember your password, open Settings and follow the steps for your device type.

Key Takeaways

  • iPad users go to Settings > Face ID (or Touch ID) > Change Password and enter their current password before creating a new one.
  • Android tablet users go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock (or Lock Screen) and select their current lock method to change the password.
  • Your new password should be at least six characters long and different from any password you have used recently on that device.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you will have to perform a factory reset, which deletes all data on the tablet unless you have a backup.

Changing your password on an iPad

On an iPad, the password that unlocks the screen is tied to Face ID or Touch ID. To change the numeric password you use as a backup, open the Settings app and tap Face ID & Passcode (on newer models) or Touch ID & Passcode (on older models). You will be asked to enter your current passcode before you can proceed.

Once you are in that menu, tap Change Passcode. Enter your current passcode again, then enter your new passcode twice. Apple requires at least six digits, though you can make it longer if you want. Tap Save or Done, and your new passcode takes effect when ready.

If you use a longer alphanumeric password instead of just numbers, the process is the same — Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Change Passcode — but you will see an option to switch between a numeric code and a custom alphanumeric password during the change.

Changing your password on an Android tablet

On Android tablets, the process varies slightly depending on the manufacturer and which version of Android your tablet runs, but the general path is Settings > Security > Screen Lock or Lock Screen. Tap the current lock method you are using — this might be labeled PIN, Password, Pattern, or Biometric.

You will be asked to enter or confirm your current password before you can change it. After you do, you will see options to set a new password. Enter your new password twice to confirm it, then save the change. The new password takes effect the next time you lock and unlock the tablet.

Some Android tablets also let you change the lock method entirely at this step — for example, switching from a PIN to a longer password or adding a fingerprint unlock. You do not have to change the method; you can keep the same type and just change the code itself.

What makes a strong tablet password

A strong password is one that is hard for someone else to guess but straightforward for you to remember. Avoid using birthdays, names, or straightforward sequences like 1234 or 5555. Instead, mix numbers with letters if your tablet allows it, or use a random sequence of numbers that has no pattern.

Most tablets require at least four to six characters. If your tablet allows longer passwords, use them — a ten-digit password is much harder to crack than a six-digit one. Write your new password down and store it somewhere safe, like a notebook in a drawer, if you are worried about forgetting it.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it, you cannot straightforward reset it from the lock screen. Instead, you will have to perform a factory reset, which erases all data on the tablet — photos, apps, documents, everything — unless you have backed it up beforehand.

On an iPad, you can use iCloud to back up your data automatically. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on iCloud Backup. On an Android tablet, go to Settings > Google and turn on Backup. If you have a backup, you can restore your data after the factory reset.

To perform a factory reset on an iPad, use another device to go to iCloud.com, sign in, and use Find My to erase the tablet remotely. On Android, hold the power button and volume down button together until you see a recovery menu, then select Erase All Data. This process takes several minutes and cannot be stopped once it starts.

Changing the password on a shared tablet

If your tablet is shared with family members or colleagues, changing the password will lock everyone out until you give them the new one. Tell them the new password in person or through a find message, not through a text or email that could be intercepted.

If your tablet has multiple user accounts (some Android tablets support this), each account can have its own password. Go to Settings > Users or Accounts and select the account you want to change. The password change will affect only that account, not the others.

When to change your tablet password

Change your tablet password if you think someone else knows it, if you have shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You do not need to change it on any particular schedule unless your workplace or school requires it.

If your tablet was lost or stolen and then recovered, change the password when ready even if you do not think anyone used it. If you sold or gave away your tablet, perform a factory reset before handing it over so the new owner cannot access your accounts or data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing the old one?

No. Both iPad and Android require you to enter your current password before you can set a new one. If you have forgotten it, you will need to factory reset the tablet, which erases all data on it. Make sure you have a backup before you do this.

Will changing my password affect my apps or accounts?

No. Changing your tablet password only changes the code that unlocks the device itself. Your email, social media, banking apps, and other accounts keep their own passwords and will not be affected. You will still be able to use all your apps after the change.

How often should I change my tablet password?

There is no set schedule. Change it whenever you think someone else might know it, or once a year if you use the tablet for sensitive work. If your workplace or school has a policy, follow that instead. For personal use, once a year is reasonable.

What if I see a password change screen I did not ask for?

This usually means your tablet detected suspicious activity or you are signing into a new account. If you did not request the change, do not proceed. Instead, restart the tablet and check your account security on a computer. If you see this repeatedly, your tablet may have malware.

Can I use the same password on my tablet as on my other devices?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone learns that password, they can access all your devices. Use a different password on each device so that if one is compromised, the others stay find. A password manager can help you keep track of multiple passwords.