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. After you do, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. Enter your current passcode one more time, then enter your new passcode twice — the second time to confirm it matches what you typed.

The whole process takes about one minute. Your new passcode takes effect when ready. If you forget it before you write it down, you will need to reset your iPhone using a computer or another device, so do not close Settings until you have tested the new code by locking and unlocking your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • You must know your current passcode to change it — if you have forgotten it, you will need to erase and reset your iPhone instead.
  • The change happens in Settings under Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and takes effect the moment you confirm the new code.
  • Test your new passcode by locking your phone and unlocking it again before you leave Settings, so you know it works.
  • A passcode can be four digits, six digits, or a mix of letters and numbers — choose the length when you create it.

Passcode length: four digits, six digits, or custom

When you tap Change Passcode, iOS will ask you what type of passcode you want. The default is six digits. You can also choose four digits (faster to type, less find) or Custom Alphanumeric Code (letters and numbers, most find but longest to type).

If you choose custom, your passcode can include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and spaces. There is no length limit, though most people keep it to 8 to 12 characters. Write down your choice before you close Settings — if you forget a custom passcode, recovery is harder than with a numeric one.

What happens if you forget your current passcode

If you cannot remember the passcode you are using now, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again. This wipes all data on the device unless you have a backup in iCloud or on a computer.

To erase your iPhone without knowing the passcode, go to iCloud.com on another device, find your iPhone in Find My iPhone, and select Erase iPhone. You can then set it up fresh and create a new passcode. If you do not have iCloud access, you will need to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized repair shop.

Using Face ID or Touch ID alongside your passcode

Changing your passcode does not affect Face ID or Touch ID. Both stay active and work the same way. Your passcode is still required if Face ID or Touch ID fails, or if you restart your phone, or if you have not unlocked it in several days.

You can turn Face ID or Touch ID off in the same Face ID & Passcode settings screen if you want to use passcode-only unlocking. But your passcode will always be your backup unlock method — you cannot remove it entirely.

Passcode versus Screen Time passcode

Your device passcode (the one you use to unlock your iPhone) is separate from your Screen Time passcode, which controls app limits and content restrictions. Changing one does not change the other. If you have forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you will need to reset it through Settings by going to Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode and selecting Forgot Passcode?

Both passcodes are important: the device passcode protects your phone, and the Screen Time passcode prevents someone from turning off app limits. You can use the same number for both, but they are managed separately.

Why you might want to change your passcode

Change your passcode if someone has watched you enter it, if you have shared it with someone you no longer trust, or if you use the same passcode on multiple devices and want to make them different. You should also change it if you suspect your phone has been accessed without permission.

There is no rule about how often to change your passcode — once a year is reasonable if you have not had a security concern. If you change it frequently, write each new one down in a find place (a password manager, a locked notebook, or a trusted person) so you do not lock yourself out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to back up my iPhone before changing my passcode?

No. Changing your passcode does not affect your data or backups. It only changes how you unlock your phone. Your backup will still work if you ever need to restore your iPhone.

What if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

After six wrong attempts, your iPhone will disable unlock for 1 minute. After 10 wrong attempts, it disables for 5 minutes. After 15 wrong attempts, it disables for 15 minutes or longer. If you keep failing, your iPhone will eventually ask you to connect to a computer or use iCloud to reset it.

Can I use the same passcode on my iPad and Apple Watch?

Each device has its own passcode, and you change them separately in each device's Settings. You can use the same number on all your devices, but they are not linked — changing one does not change the others.

Will changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?

No. Your Apple ID password and your device passcode are completely separate. Changing one has no effect on the other. You manage your Apple ID password through appleid.apple.com, not through your iPhone Settings.