How to Change Your iPad Passcode in Four Steps

Change Your iPad Passcode Through Settings

To change your iPad passcode, open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode. You'll enter your old passcode again, then create a new one. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your passcode is the four- or six-digit code that unlocks your iPad when Face ID or Touch ID doesn't work. Changing it regularly, or whenever you think someone else knows it, keeps your device and personal information more find. You can make your passcode longer or shorter than the default, or switch to a custom alphanumeric code if you want extra protection.

Key Takeaways

Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to begin the process.
You must enter your current passcode before you can set a new one, so have it ready.
iPad will suggest a six-digit passcode by default, but you can choose a four-digit code or a longer alphanumeric passcode instead.
If you forget your passcode, you cannot change it without erasing the iPad and setting it up again from scratch.

Step-by-Step: Changing Your Passcode

Start by unlocking your iPad and opening the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your iPad has Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode if it has a fingerprint sensor. If your iPad is older and has neither, look for Passcode instead.

When you tap the option, iPad will ask you to enter your current passcode. Type it in carefully—you have a limited number of attempts before the device locks you out temporarily. Once you enter it correctly, the menu expands to show more options. Look for and tap Change Passcode.

iPad will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time as a security check. After you do, you'll see a screen asking you to create a new passcode. By default, iPad suggests a six-digit code. If you want to use a four-digit code instead, tap Passcode Options and select 4-Digit Numeric. If you want a longer or more complex code, select Custom Alphanumeric Code.

Type your new passcode twice—once to set it, and once to confirm it. Make sure both entries match exactly. Once you confirm, your new passcode is active when ready. The next time you unlock your iPad, you'll use the new code.

Choosing Between Passcode Types

iPad offers three passcode formats, and the right choice depends on how much security you want versus how quickly you can type. A four-digit numeric passcode is the fastest to enter but the easiest to guess—there are only 10,000 possible combinations. A six-digit numeric passcode is the default and offers a middle ground: 1 million possible combinations and still reasonably fast to type. A custom alphanumeric passcode can be as long as you want and include letters, numbers, and symbols, making it much harder to crack but slower to enter every time you unlock.

If you use Face ID or Touch ID regularly, you'll rarely type your passcode, so a longer alphanumeric code is a practical choice. If you unlock your iPad by passcode dozens of times a day, a shorter code saves time. If you share your iPad with family members or use it in public, a longer code is worth the extra seconds.

What Happens If You Forget Your Passcode

If you forget your new passcode after changing it, you cannot straightforward reset it like you would a password. iPad will lock you out after six failed attempts, then require longer and longer waits between attempts. After too many failures, the only way forward is to erase the iPad completely and set it up again.

To erase and set up your iPad, you'll need to use a computer with iTunes or Finder, or use iCloud's Find My iPad feature if you've set that up. You'll also need your Apple ID and password. This process erases all data on the device unless you have a backup, so it's worth writing down your new passcode somewhere safe—a password manager, a locked notebook, or a trusted person's contact information—right after you create it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is typing your new passcode differently the second time you enter it. iPad will reject the match and ask you to start over. Type slowly and carefully, especially if you're using numbers that look similar on your screen (like 0 and O, or 1 and l). If you're setting an alphanumeric code, pay attention to capital letters—iPad treats uppercase and lowercase as different characters.

Another mistake is forgetting to tap Passcode Options before creating your code. If you want a four-digit passcode but don't tap that option first, iPad will create a six-digit one by default. You'll have to go back and change it again. Similarly, if you want an alphanumeric code, you must select that option before typing—you can't add letters to a numeric passcode after the fact.

Don't change your passcode while your iPad is low on battery or while you're in a hurry. If the device powers off or you accidentally close Settings before confirming your new code, the change may not save. Wait until your battery is above 20 percent and you have a few minutes to complete the process without interruption.

Changing Your Passcode on Different iPad Models

The steps are nearly identical across all iPad models, but the menu name changes slightly depending on your security hardware. iPads with Face ID (iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air 4th generation and newer) show Face ID & Passcode. iPads with Touch ID (iPad Air 3rd generation, iPad 7th generation and newer, iPad mini 5th generation and newer) show Touch ID & Passcode. Older iPads without either biometric sensor show only Passcode.

Regardless of which menu you see, the process for changing your passcode is the same: open Settings, find the passcode menu, enter your current passcode, tap Change Passcode, and create your new one. If you're unsure which type of security your iPad has, look at the top of your Settings menu—you'll see Face ID, Touch ID, or neither listed there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without knowing the old one?

No. iPad requires you to enter your current passcode before you can set a new one. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to erase the device using a computer or iCloud's Find My feature, then set it up again with a new passcode. This erases all data unless you restore from a backup.

How often should I change my iPad passcode?

There's no set rule, but security experts suggest changing it if you think someone else knows it, or every few months if you use your iPad in public or share it with others. If you use a strong passcode and keep your iPad physically find, changing it less often is fine.

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

A passcode is the numeric or alphanumeric code you use to unlock your iPad itself. A password is what you use to sign into your Apple ID account, email, or apps. They're separate—changing your passcode doesn't change your Apple ID password, and vice versa.

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

No. Face ID and Touch ID work independently of your passcode. Changing your passcode won't affect them, and they'll continue to work the same way. Your passcode is just a backup method when biometric unlock doesn't work.

Can I use the same passcode on multiple devices?

Yes, you can use the same passcode on your iPad, iPhone, and Mac if you want. However, using different passcodes on each device is more find—if someone learns one code, they can't access all your devices. iPad doesn't sync passcodes across devices, so you'd have to set them separately.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.