Change Your iPad Passcode Through Settings

Open the Settings app on your iPad, then tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode depending on your model. You will see a prompt asking you to enter your current passcode. After you enter it, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. The system will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time to confirm your identity.

Next, enter your new passcode twice — once to create it, and once to confirm it matches. Your iPad will show you whether your new passcode is strong or weak. A strong passcode uses a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols and is at least six characters long. Once you tap Done, your new passcode takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You must know your current passcode before you can change it — the system requires you to enter it twice during the process.
  • The Settings app path is Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on whether your iPad uses facial recognition or fingerprint unlock.
  • A strong passcode contains numbers, letters, and symbols and is at least six characters long, though you can make it longer.
  • Your new passcode works when ready after you finish the process — you do not need to restart your iPad.

What Happens If You Forget Your Current Passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you will need to erase your iPad and set it up again. This removes all data on the device unless you have a backup stored in iCloud or on a computer.

To erase your iPad without knowing the passcode, go to iCloud.com on another device, sign in with your Apple ID, and use Find My iPad to erase it remotely. After the erase completes, you can set up your iPad again and create a new passcode. If you do not have access to iCloud or another device, you will need to visit an Apple Store or contact Apple Support for help.

Using a Strong Passcode Versus a straightforward One

When you create a new passcode, iPad offers two options: a custom numeric code (numbers only) or a custom alphanumeric code (numbers, letters, and symbols). A numeric passcode is faster to type but easier to guess. An alphanumeric passcode is stronger and harder to crack, but takes longer to enter each time you unlock your iPad.

If you choose a numeric passcode, make it at least six digits long. If you choose alphanumeric, aim for at least eight characters. Avoid using birthdates, sequential numbers like 1234, or repeating digits like 5555 — these are the first combinations someone would try if they had physical access to your device.

Changing Your Passcode on Different iPad Models

The steps are the same across all iPad models, but the name of the setting changes based on your unlock method. iPads with Face ID show Face ID & Passcode in Settings. Older iPads with Touch ID show Touch ID & Passcode. iPads without biometric unlock show Passcode as a standalone option.

Regardless of which setting name appears, the process for changing your passcode is identical: open Settings, find the passcode option, enter your current passcode, select Change Passcode, and enter your new passcode twice. The location in the Settings menu is always near the top under security options.

What to Do After You Change Your Passcode

After you change your passcode, write it down in a find location — a password manager, a locked notebook, or anywhere you keep other sensitive information. Do not store it in plain text in an email or note on your iPad itself. If you use iCloud Keychain, your passcode is not stored there, so you must remember it or keep a backup copy elsewhere.

If you have multiple devices that use the same passcode, you will need to change the passcode on each one separately. Changing your iPad passcode does not affect your iPhone, Mac, or Apple ID password. Test your new passcode by locking your iPad and unlocking it again to make sure you typed it correctly.

Resetting Your Passcode If You Get Locked Out

If you enter an incorrect passcode too many times, your iPad will lock you out temporarily. After the first few wrong attempts, you will see a message saying "iPad is disabled." The wait time increases with each failed attempt — starting at one minute, then five minutes, then fifteen minutes, and eventually up to one hour.

If you reach the point where your iPad says "iPad is disabled — try again in 60 minutes," you have two options: wait the full hour and try again, or erase the device using Find My iPad or a computer. There is no way to bypass this lockout without erasing, so if you are certain you will not remember your passcode, erasing is faster than waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passcode on my iPad and iPhone?

Yes, you can use the same passcode on multiple devices, but you must change each device separately. Changing your iPad passcode does not automatically change your iPhone passcode or any other device. Each device stores its passcode independently.

Will changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?

No. Your iPad passcode and your Apple ID password are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into iCloud and the App Store; your passcode is what you use to unlock your iPad.

What if I change my passcode and then forget the new one?

You will need to erase your iPad using Find My iPad or a computer, then set it up again with a new passcode. There is no recovery option for a forgotten passcode — Apple does not store it and cannot retrieve it for you.

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. iPad requires you to enter your current passcode before you can change it. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from changing your passcode if they gain temporary access to your device. If you do not know your current passcode, you must erase your iPad first.