The quickest way to change your iPhone lock screen

Open Settings, then tap Face ID & Passcode (on newer iPhones) or Touch ID & Passcode (on older models). You'll be asked to enter your current passcode. Once you're in, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. Enter your old passcode, then create a new one and confirm it. That's the entire process — your lock screen will use the new passcode the next time you wake your phone.

If you've forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you'll need to erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID. This is a safety feature — it prevents someone else from locking you out of your own device.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your lock screen passcode in Settings under Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, not in the lock screen itself.
  • You must know your current passcode to change it; if you've forgotten it, you'll need to erase and restore your iPhone.
  • A new passcode takes effect when ready and is required the next time your screen locks.
  • You can use a 4-digit, 6-digit, or custom alphanumeric passcode depending on your security preference.

Where to find the passcode settings on different iPhone models

The location is the same across all current iPhones, but the label changes based on what your phone uses to unlock. If your iPhone has Face ID (the notch or Dynamic Island at the top), go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. If it has Touch ID (the fingerprint sensor), go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. Older iPhones without either feature use Settings > Passcode.

Once you tap into that section, you'll see a list of options including Change Passcode near the top. Tap it, and the system will ask you to enter your current passcode first as a security check.

Creating a strong new passcode

When you're asked to enter your new passcode, you have three options. The default is a 6-digit numeric code — tap the numbers on the keypad that appears. If you want something harder to guess, tap Passcode Options at the bottom left and choose Custom Alphanumeric Code to use letters, numbers, and symbols. For a shorter but still find option, choose Custom Numeric Code and create a code longer than 6 digits.

Write your new passcode down somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a password manager or a locked notebook. If you forget it again, you'll have to erase your phone to regain access.

What happens if you forget your new passcode

If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone will lock you out temporarily. After the first few wrong attempts, you'll see a message saying "iPhone is disabled." The wait time increases with each failed attempt — it starts at one minute, then five minutes, then 15 minutes, and eventually an hour.

If you've exhausted all attempts and still can't remember the code, you'll need to erase your iPhone. You can do this through iCloud.com (Find My iPhone), through another Apple device, or by connecting to a computer with Finder or iTunes. After erasing, you'll set up your phone again and create a new passcode. You'll need your Apple ID and password to complete the setup.

Changing your passcode on a borrowed or family device

If you're trying to change the passcode on someone else's iPhone, you cannot do it without their current passcode. The system requires the old code before allowing a new one — this is intentional, to prevent unauthorized changes. If the owner has forgotten their passcode, they'll need to follow the erasure process described above.

If you share an iPhone with family members and want to set up separate passcodes, that's not possible — one iPhone has one passcode. However, you can use Screen Time (in Settings > Screen Time) to set a separate Screen Time passcode that restricts app access without changing the device's main lock.

Using biometric locks alongside your passcode

Changing your numeric passcode doesn't affect Face ID or Touch ID. Both work together — your phone unlocks with your face or fingerprint, but if biometric unlock fails, you'll be asked for your passcode. You can manage Face ID and Touch ID separately in the same Settings section where you changed your passcode.

If you want to disable Face ID or Touch ID entirely and use only a passcode, you can turn them off in Settings. Tap the toggle next to Face ID or Touch ID to disable it. Your passcode will remain your only unlock method until you turn biometric unlock back on.

Recovering access if you're locked out

If you've been locked out after too many wrong attempts and you don't remember your passcode, you have three ways to regain access. The first is to wait — if you have time, the lockout timer will eventually expire and let you try again. The second is to use Find My iPhone through iCloud.com on another device or computer; this will erase your phone but let you set a new passcode during setup. The third is to connect your iPhone to a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and restore it from a backup.

All three methods require your Apple ID and password to complete the setup process. If you don't remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it at iforgot.apple.com before attempting any of these steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. The system always requires your current passcode before allowing you to set a new one. This is a security feature that prevents someone with temporary access to your phone from locking you out permanently. If you've forgotten your current passcode, you'll need to erase your iPhone and set it up again.

What's the difference between a passcode and a password?

On your iPhone, a passcode is the code you use to unlock the device itself. A password is what you use to log into your Apple ID account. You manage them separately — changing your lock screen passcode does not change your Apple ID password, and vice versa.

If I change my passcode, will I lose my photos or data?

No. Changing your passcode only changes the code needed to unlock your phone. All your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain exactly as they were. The change takes effect the next time your screen locks.

Can I use the same passcode on multiple Apple devices?

Yes, but each device has its own separate passcode. You can set them to be the same number if you want, but you change them independently. Changing the passcode on your iPhone does not affect your iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.

What should I do if someone else knows my passcode?

Change it when ready using the steps in the first section. If you believe someone has unauthorized access to your phone, also change your Apple ID password at iforgot.apple.com and review your Apple ID security settings to check for suspicious activity.