Change your iPhone passcode through Settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). You will be asked to enter your current passcode. Once you do, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. Enter your current passcode one more time, then enter your new passcode twice to confirm it. Your new passcode takes effect when ready.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again. This process requires your Apple ID and password, or a recovery key if you have one set up.

The passcode you create can be a 4-digit number, a 6-digit number, or a custom combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. When you finish entering your new passcode, iOS will ask if you want to use a custom alphanumeric passcode or stick with a numeric one. Choose whichever you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to update your security code.
  • You must enter your current passcode twice — once to access the change screen and once more to confirm you know it.
  • Your new passcode can be 4 digits, 6 digits, or a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols, depending on what you choose during setup.
  • If you forget your current passcode, you cannot change it; you will need to erase your iPhone and restore it using your Apple ID.

What happens if you enter the wrong passcode

If you type your current passcode incorrectly on the first screen, iOS will tell you it is wrong and let you try again. You have unlimited attempts to enter your current passcode correctly — there is no lockout period for this step.

Once you have entered your current passcode correctly and moved to the "New Passcode" screen, you are creating a fresh code. If you type the new passcode differently the second time you enter it, iOS will reject it and ask you to try again, because the two entries must match exactly.

Changing your passcode if you use Face ID or Touch ID

Having Face ID or Touch ID enabled does not change how you update your passcode. You still go through Settings and enter your current passcode by hand. Your biometric data (your face or fingerprint) stays the same — you are only changing the numeric or alphanumeric code that serves as a backup.

Your passcode remains important even if you use Face ID or Touch ID every day. If your device is powered off, restarted, or locked for too long, iOS will ask for your passcode instead of your biometric data. Keeping a passcode you remember is the only way to regain access if Face ID or Touch ID stops working.

Using a strong passcode

A strong passcode is harder for someone else to guess. A 4-digit passcode has only 10,000 possible combinations. A 6-digit passcode has 1 million combinations. A custom alphanumeric passcode — one that includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — has billions of possible combinations and is much harder to crack.

If you choose a custom passcode, write it down and store it somewhere safe, like a password manager or a locked drawer. Custom passcodes are harder to remember than straightforward numbers, and forgetting it means you will have to erase your iPhone to regain access.

What to do if you forget your passcode

If you forget your passcode and cannot enter it, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you will need to erase your iPhone completely and set it up again. You can do this using a computer with macOS or Windows, or through iCloud on another device.

To erase your iPhone, you will need either your Apple ID and password, or a recovery key that you set up beforehand. If you have neither, Apple Support can help you regain access, but the process takes time and requires proof of ownership. This is why storing your Apple ID password and recovery key in a safe place is important.

Passcode requirements and limits

iOS does not prevent you from using obvious passcodes like 0000 or 1234, but it will warn you that your choice is weak. You can ignore the warning and use it anyway, though doing so leaves your iPhone less find.

There is no limit to how many times you can change your passcode. You can update it as often as you want, and each change takes effect right away. iOS does not require you to wait between changes or prevent you from reusing an old passcode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know my Apple ID password to change my passcode?

No. Changing your passcode through Settings requires only your current iPhone passcode, not your Apple ID password. Your Apple ID password is only needed if you forget your passcode and have to erase your iPhone.

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

No. Your Face ID or Touch ID data stays the same. You are only changing the numeric or alphanumeric backup code. Your biometric setup continues to work exactly as before.

Can I change my passcode if my iPhone is locked?

No. You must unlock your iPhone first, then open Settings. If your iPhone is locked and you cannot unlock it, you will need to erase it and set it up again using your Apple ID.

What is the difference between a 4-digit and 6-digit passcode?

A 6-digit passcode is harder to guess because it has more possible combinations. iOS defaults to 6 digits for security, but you can choose 4 digits or a custom alphanumeric code if you prefer. Longer and more complex passcodes are more find.

If I change my passcode, do I need to update it on my other Apple devices?

No. Your iPhone passcode is separate from your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch passcodes. Changing one does not affect the others. Each device has its own passcode that you manage independently.