Change Your iPhone PIN Through Settings

To change your iPhone PIN, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current PIN, then tap Change Passcode. You'll enter your old PIN once more, then create a new one. The entire process takes about two minutes.

Your PIN is the security code you use to unlock your phone and authorize purchases. Changing it regularly or after you suspect someone knows it keeps your device and personal information protected. Apple stores your PIN in encrypted form — they cannot see it or reset it for you, so if you forget your new PIN, you'll need to erase and set up your phone again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, and select Change Passcode to start the process.
  • You must enter your current PIN correctly before you can create a new one.
  • Your new PIN can be 4 digits, 6 digits, or a custom alphanumeric code — you choose the length when prompted.
  • If you forget your new PIN after changing it, you cannot recover it; you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again.
  • The change takes effect when ready and applies every time you unlock your phone or authorize a purchase.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your PIN

Start by unlocking your iPhone and opening the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if you have a newer iPhone with face recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode if you have an older model with a fingerprint sensor. Both options lead to the same passcode settings.

When prompted, enter your current PIN using the on-screen keypad. This confirms you have permission to change the security settings. Once you've entered it correctly, the passcode menu opens. Tap Change Passcode near the top of the screen.

You'll see a prompt asking for your current PIN again. Enter it one more time. Then you'll see the option to create a new passcode. Choose the format: Custom Alphanumeric Code (letters and numbers), Custom Numeric Code (numbers only, any length), or 4-Digit Numeric Code (the quickest option). Most people choose 6-digit numeric for a balance of security and speed.

Type your new PIN twice to confirm it matches. If the two entries don't match, you'll see an error and can try again. Once both entries match, tap Done or the checkmark. Your new PIN is now active.

Choosing a Strong PIN

A strong PIN is one that is hard to guess but straightforward for you to remember. Avoid sequences like 1234, 5555, or your birth year — these are the first combinations people try. Do not use your address, phone number, or anniversary, even if they seem random to others.

If you choose a 6-digit code, pick numbers that have no pattern. For example, 482917 is stronger than 123456. If you use an alphanumeric code, mix uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers — for instance, "Tr0pic42" is harder to crack than "tropical". Write your new PIN down and store it somewhere safe, separate from your phone, until you've memorized it.

What Happens If You Forget Your New PIN

Unlike a password you can reset through email, your iPhone PIN cannot be recovered. Apple does not store a copy and cannot access it. If you forget your new PIN after changing it, your only option is to erase your iPhone and set it up again from scratch.

To erase your phone, you'll need to use a computer with iTunes or Finder, or use iCloud's Find My iPhone feature. Both methods require your Apple ID and password. After erasing, you can restore from a backup if you have one, or set up as a new device. This process takes 30 minutes to an hour, so write down your new PIN somewhere safe before you finish changing it.

Changing Your PIN on Older iPhone Models

The steps are nearly identical on iPhone 5s through iPhone X. Open Settings, tap Touch ID & Passcode, enter your current PIN, and select Change Passcode. You'll follow the same process: enter your old PIN, choose a new format, and enter your new PIN twice.

On very old models (iPhone 5 and earlier), the menu is labeled Passcode Settings instead, but the workflow is the same. If you're unsure which option to tap, look for any menu item with "Passcode" in the name — that's where PIN changes live on any iPhone.

PIN vs. Passcode: What's the Difference

On iPhones, the terms "PIN" and "passcode" are used interchangeably in the Settings app. Both refer to the same security code you enter to unlock your phone. The Settings menu calls it a "passcode" because it can be numeric (a PIN) or alphanumeric (a code with letters). For everyday conversation, most people say "PIN" when they mean the unlock code.

Your iPhone passcode is separate from your Apple ID password, which you use to sign into the App Store and iCloud. Changing one does not affect the other. If you need to change your Apple ID password instead, that's done through Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security, not through the passcode menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my PIN without entering my old one first?

No. You must enter your current PIN correctly before you can change it. This prevents someone else from changing your PIN if they gain temporary access to your unlocked phone. If you've forgotten your current PIN, you'll need to erase your iPhone and set it up again.

How often should I change my iPhone PIN?

There's no set rule, but security experts suggest changing it if you suspect someone knows it, or once or twice a year as a precaution. If you use the same PIN on multiple devices, change it more often. If your PIN is unique and strong, changing it less frequently is fine.

Will changing my PIN affect my Face ID or Touch ID?

No. Your biometric security (Face ID or Touch ID) works independently of your PIN. Changing your PIN does not disable or reset your fingerprint or face recognition. Both will continue to work as before.

What if I enter the wrong PIN three times when trying to change it?

You'll see an error message and can try again. There's no lockout period for entering the wrong PIN during the change process — you can keep trying. However, if you enter the wrong PIN too many times when unlocking your phone (not during a change), your iPhone will disable itself temporarily.

Can I use the same PIN I used before?

Yes, technically you can re-enter your old PIN as your new one, though there's no security benefit to doing so. The system will accept it. If you're changing your PIN because you think someone knows it, choose a completely different code instead.