Change your iPad passcode through Settings

Open Settings on your iPad, then tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode depending on your model. You will see a button labeled Change Passcode near the top of the screen. Tap it, enter your current passcode when prompted, then enter your new passcode twice to confirm it. The change takes effect when ready.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase your iPad and set it up again. That process is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your passcode anytime by opening Settings, tapping Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and selecting Change Passcode.
  • You must enter your current passcode correctly before you can set a new one.
  • Your new passcode takes effect as soon as you confirm it — there is no waiting period.
  • If you have forgotten your current passcode, you must erase your iPad and set it up from scratch using your Apple ID.
  • A passcode can be four digits, six digits, or a custom combination of numbers and letters, depending on what you choose during setup.

What happens if you forget your current passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode, Settings will not let you change it. Instead, you must erase your iPad completely and set it up again. You can do this using a computer with iTunes or Finder, or by using iCloud's Find My iPad feature if you have it turned on.

To erase using Find My iPad: go to iCloud.com on another device, sign in with your Apple ID, select Find My, choose your iPad, and tap Erase iPad. Your iPad will be wiped clean. When you turn it back on, you will be asked to set it up as new or restore from a backup — you can choose a new passcode at that time.

To erase using a computer: connect your iPad to a Mac or PC, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), select your iPad, and click Restore. This will also wipe the device and let you set a new passcode during setup.

Choosing a strong passcode

When you set a new passcode, you can choose between a four-digit code, a six-digit code, or a custom passcode that includes letters and numbers. A longer passcode with mixed characters is harder to guess, but you will need to remember it or store it somewhere safe.

Most people use a six-digit numeric code as a balance between security and ease of use. If you choose a custom passcode, write it down in a find location — a password manager, a locked notebook, or a trusted family member — so you do not lose access to your iPad.

Passcode versus Face ID or Touch ID

Your passcode is a backup security layer. Even if you use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock your iPad, you still have a passcode that you enter when your face or fingerprint is not recognized, or when you restart your device. Changing your passcode does not affect your Face ID or Touch ID settings — those remain active unless you turn them off separately.

If you want to disable Face ID or Touch ID entirely, you can do that in the same Settings screen where you change your passcode. Tap the toggle next to Face ID (or Touch ID) to turn it off. Your passcode will still work as your primary unlock method.

When your passcode stops working after an update

Occasionally, after a major iPad software update, users report that their passcode does not work even though they are entering it correctly. This is rare, but if it happens to you, restart your iPad first: hold the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on.

If the passcode still does not work after a restart, you will need to erase and set up your iPad again using the Find My iPad or computer method described above. Before you do, make sure you know your Apple ID password, because you will need it to set up your iPad again.

Syncing passcode changes across devices

Your iPad passcode is unique to that device — changing it does not change the passcode on your iPhone, Mac, or other Apple devices. If you want to use the same passcode on multiple devices, you will need to change each one separately through its own Settings app.

If you use iCloud Keychain to store passwords, your passcode itself is not stored there. Only passwords for websites and apps are synced across your devices through Keychain.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can choose to use the same passcode on both devices, but you must change each device separately. Changing your iPad passcode does not automatically change your iPhone passcode. You would need to go into iPhone Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, and change it there as well.

What if I enter my passcode wrong too many times?

After six incorrect attempts, your iPad will show a message saying "iPad is disabled." The wait time starts at one minute and doubles with each additional failed attempt. After many failures, you may be locked out for hours. If this happens, wait out the timer or erase your iPad using Find My iPad or a computer.

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 else knows it, if you have shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you want to update to a stronger code. Otherwise, a strong passcode that only you know does not need to be changed.

Will changing my passcode erase my apps and data?

No. Changing your passcode through Settings only changes the code you use to unlock your iPad. All your apps, photos, documents, and other data remain exactly as they are. Only if you erase your iPad (because you forgot your passcode) will you lose data unless you restore from a backup.