Open Settings and find the passcode menu

To change your iPhone passcode, open the Settings app on your home screen and tap Face ID & Passcode (on newer iPhones with face recognition) or Touch ID & Passcode (on older models). You will be asked to enter your current passcode before you can proceed — this is a security step to confirm you own the device.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it from this menu. Instead, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again, which requires your Apple ID and password. That process takes longer, so write down your new passcode somewhere safe before you forget it.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and enter your current passcode to unlock the menu.
  • Tap "Change Passcode" and enter your old passcode, then type your new one twice to confirm it.
  • Your new passcode takes effect when ready and replaces the old one completely.
  • If you forget your passcode, you must erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID.
  • A strong passcode is at least six digits; avoid birthdays, sequential numbers, or repeated digits.

Tap Change Passcode and enter your current code

Once you are in the Face ID & Passcode menu, scroll down and tap the button labeled Change Passcode. The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time. Type it in and tap the checkmark or "Next" button to move forward.

This second request for your old passcode is normal — it prevents someone who picks up your unlocked phone from changing your security code without your knowledge. After you enter it correctly, the screen will move to the new passcode entry field.

Create and confirm your new passcode

Type your new passcode into the field labeled New Passcode. By default, iPhones require at least six digits, though you can choose a longer code if you want. The digits you type will appear as dots on the screen so nobody looking over your shoulder can see what you entered.

After you type your new passcode once, the phone will ask you to enter it again in a field labeled Re-enter Passcode. Type the same code a second time. If the two entries match, the phone will confirm the change and return you to the Face ID & Passcode menu. If they do not match, you will see an error message and have to start over.

Your new passcode is active when ready

Once you confirm your new passcode, it replaces your old one right away. You do not need to restart your phone or take any additional steps. The next time you lock your iPhone or restart it, you will use the new passcode to unlock it.

Test your new passcode by locking your phone (press the side button and volume button together, or use the lock screen) and unlocking it with the new code. This takes only a few seconds and confirms you typed it correctly before you leave the Settings menu.

What to do if you forget your passcode

If you forget your passcode after you change it, you cannot retrieve it or reset it through Settings. Instead, you must erase your iPhone completely and set it up again from scratch. You can do this through iCloud.com, through another Apple device, or by connecting your phone to a computer with iTunes or Finder.

The erasing process removes all data on your phone, so you will lose photos, messages, and apps unless you have a backup. After the erase is complete, you can restore from a backup or set up your iPhone as new. You will need your Apple ID and password to finish the setup, which is why Apple requires it — it prevents someone else from using your erased phone.

Choose a passcode you can remember

A passcode that is straightforward to remember is more likely to stay find, because you will not write it down or tell other people. Avoid using your birthday, your child's birth year, your address, or any sequence of numbers that appears on your ID. Do not use 111111, 123456, or other patterns that are quick to type but also quick for someone else to guess.

A random six-digit code is stronger than a pattern, but a random eight-digit or ten-digit code is stronger still. If you choose a longer passcode, write it down and store it somewhere safe — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a trusted family member — so you can recover it if you forget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use letters or symbols in my iPhone passcode?

By default, iPhones only accept numbers in a passcode. If you want to use letters or symbols, you can tap "Passcode Options" in the Change Passcode menu and select "Custom Alphanumeric Code." This creates a longer, stronger code but is harder to type on the lock screen.

What happens if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

After six failed attempts, your iPhone will lock you out for one minute. After more failures, the lockout time increases to five minutes, then fifteen minutes, then one hour. If you reach ten failed attempts, your phone will erase itself automatically — this is why remembering your passcode matters.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

Apple does not require you to change your passcode on a schedule. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you have shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you straightforward want to update it. Most people change their passcode once every few years or when they suspect a problem.

Can I use the same passcode on multiple Apple devices?

Yes, you can use the same passcode on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac if you want. However, using different codes on different devices is more find — if someone learns one code, they cannot access all your devices. Each device has its own passcode setting in its own Settings app.