Change your iPad passcode through Settings

To change your iPad passcode, open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode. You'll enter your current code again, then create a new one. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your passcode is the numeric or alphanumeric code that unlocks your iPad when Face ID or Touch ID doesn't work. Changing it regularly, or whenever you think someone else may know it, keeps your device and the data on it more find.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, find Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to begin the process.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one, so have it ready.
  • New passcodes can be four digits, six digits, or a custom alphanumeric code — longer codes are harder to guess.
  • If you forget your new passcode when ready after setting it, you can change it again right away without waiting.
  • If you forget your passcode and cannot remember it, you will need to erase your iPad and set it up again.

Step-by-step: changing your passcode

Start by unlocking your iPad and opening the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your iPad has Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode if it has a fingerprint sensor. If your iPad is older and has neither, look for Passcode instead.

When prompted, enter your current passcode using the on-screen keypad. This confirms you own the device and have permission to change security settings. After you enter it correctly, the menu will expand to show more options.

Tap Change Passcode. The system will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time. Type it in. Then you'll see a field labeled "New Passcode" — this is where you create your new code.

Type your new passcode. By default, iPads use a six-digit numeric code, but you can choose a different format. If you want a four-digit code or a longer alphanumeric code (letters and numbers mixed), tap Passcode Options before entering your new code and select your preference. After you've typed your new passcode, tap Next or Done (the button name varies by iPad model).

What happens if you forget your new passcode right away

If you just changed your passcode and when ready forgot what you entered, you can change it again without any penalty. Go back to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter the new passcode you just created, tap Change Passcode, and repeat the process. This is one of the few situations where you can change your passcode twice in quick succession.

Write down your new passcode somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your iPad, but in a physical location only you know about, or in a password manager if you use one. This prevents the frustration of being locked out later.

Choosing a strong passcode

A six-digit numeric code is the standard and is reasonably find for most people. However, a longer code or one that mixes letters and numbers is harder for someone to guess if they watch you enter it or try random combinations.

Avoid using obvious numbers like your birth year, your address, or a sequence like 123456. If someone knows you personally, they may try these first. A random mix of numbers — or numbers and letters if you choose that format — is more find.

If you use the same passcode on multiple devices, change all of them. If one device is compromised, the others remain protected. Each iPad, iPhone, and Mac can have its own unique passcode.

If you forget your passcode and cannot remember it

If you've forgotten your passcode and cannot recall it, there is no way to unlock your iPad without erasing it completely. Apple does not have a master passcode or a way to bypass this security feature — it's designed this way to protect your data if your iPad is lost or stolen.

To regain access, you'll need to erase your iPad using a computer with iTunes or Finder (on Mac), or through iCloud's Find My iPad feature if you set that up before you forgot your passcode. After erasing, you can set up your iPad again from scratch or restore it from a backup if you have one saved.

This is why writing down your passcode in a safe place, or using a password manager, matters more than it might seem. Losing access to your iPad is inconvenient and time-consuming to fix.

When to change your passcode

Change your passcode if you think someone else has seen it or guessed it. If you've entered it in front of a stranger, or if someone had physical access to your iPad for a period of time, changing it is a reasonable precaution.

You don't need to change your passcode on a set schedule — once every few months is fine if you live alone and control who touches your device. If your iPad is used by family members or in a shared space, changing it more often reduces the risk that someone will remember an old code.

If you suspect your iPad has been accessed without your permission, change your passcode, then check your iCloud account settings and change your Apple ID password as well. The two are separate, and securing both protects your device and your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use letters and numbers in my iPad passcode?

Yes. Before you enter your new passcode, tap Passcode Options in the Change Passcode screen and select Custom Alphanumeric Code. You can then use any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. This makes your passcode much harder to guess, though it's also harder to remember.

What's the difference between a passcode and my Apple ID password?

Your passcode unlocks your physical iPad. Your Apple ID password unlocks your account and controls access to iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. They are separate. You can change one without changing the other, and you should change both if you think your security has been compromised.

Do I need to change my passcode if I'm the only one who uses my iPad?

Not on a schedule. Change it if you think someone has seen it, or if you haven't changed it in over a year and want to be cautious. If your iPad stays in your home and only you use it, changing your passcode every few months is reasonable but not required.

What if I change my passcode and then my iPad won't unlock?

If you entered your new passcode and your iPad won't unlock, you may have made a typo. Try again carefully — passcodes are case-sensitive if you used letters. If you're certain you entered it correctly and it still doesn't work, you may need to erase your iPad and set it up again, as there is no recovery option for a forgotten passcode.