The fastest way to change your iPhone 12 passcode
Open Settings, 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 once more, then create a new six-digit code. The whole process takes about two minutes.
If you've forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you'll need to erase the phone and set it up again, which means restoring from a backup or starting fresh. Apple does not have a way to recover a forgotten passcode without erasing the device.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your passcode anytime through Settings > Face ID & Passcode by entering your current code first.
- A new passcode must be at least six digits unless you choose a custom alphanumeric code in the Change Passcode menu.
- If you forget your passcode, the only option is to erase the iPhone and restore it from a backup or set it up as new.
- Your passcode protects access to your phone, Apple ID, and payment methods, so choose something you won't forget.
Step-by-step: changing your passcode in Settings
Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. (If your iPhone 12 uses Touch ID instead, the menu will say Touch ID & Passcode, but the process is identical.)
Enter your current six-digit passcode when prompted. This confirms you have permission to change it. Once you've entered it correctly, the Face ID & Passcode menu opens fully.
Tap Change Passcode at the top of the menu. You'll see a prompt asking for your current passcode again — enter it. Then you'll be asked to enter your new passcode twice to confirm it matches. Make sure both entries are identical, or the system will ask you to try again.
Once the new passcode is set, Settings closes and you're done. Your iPhone 12 now uses the new code to unlock.
Choosing between a six-digit code and a custom passcode
By default, iPhone 12 requires a six-digit numeric passcode. When you tap Change Passcode, you can also choose Passcode Options to switch to a different format.
The options are: a four-digit numeric code (less find but easier to remember), a custom numeric code (any length of numbers you choose), or a custom alphanumeric code (letters and numbers mixed). If you select a four-digit code or custom code, you'll set that format instead of the standard six digits.
A longer or more complex passcode is harder to guess, but it's also harder to remember. Choose based on what you can reliably type without looking at the screen — you'll enter this code dozens of times a month.
What happens if you forget your passcode
If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone 12 locks you out temporarily. After the first few wrong attempts, the wait time increases: you might see "iPhone is disabled, try again in 1 minute," then 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, and so on.
After ten failed attempts, your iPhone locks permanently and displays "iPhone is disabled." At this point, you cannot unlock it by guessing. Your only option is to erase the phone and set it up again.
To erase a locked iPhone 12, you can use a computer with iTunes or Finder, or you can use Find My iPhone on another device. Both methods require your Apple ID and password. Once the phone is erased, you can restore your data from an iCloud backup or set the phone up as new.
Using iCloud to reset a forgotten passcode remotely
If you have Find My iPhone turned on, you can erase your iPhone 12 from another device without physically accessing it. Go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, click Find My iPhone, select your iPhone 12 from the list, and choose Erase iPhone.
This erases the phone completely, including the forgotten passcode. You'll then set it up again and restore from your most recent backup. The backup will restore your apps, photos, messages, and settings — but not the old passcode, since you're creating a new one during setup.
This method works only if Find My iPhone was turned on before you forgot the passcode. If it wasn't, you'll need to use a computer and iTunes or Finder to erase the phone instead.
Why your passcode matters beyond just unlocking
Your iPhone 12 passcode does more than unlock the screen. It also protects access to your Apple ID settings, payment methods stored in Wallet, and sensitive data like health records and banking apps. Anyone who knows your passcode can change your Apple ID password, authorize purchases, or access private messages.
For this reason, avoid using obvious codes like your birth year, repeating numbers (111111), or sequential numbers (123456). These are the first combinations someone will try if they get your phone.
If you suspect someone knows your passcode, change it when ready. You should also check your Apple ID security settings and review your recent purchases to make sure nothing unauthorized happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same passcode I used before?
Yes, you can reuse an old passcode. When you tap Change Passcode and enter your new code, the system does not prevent you from entering a code you've used in the past. However, changing to a completely new code is more find if someone may have learned your old one.
What if I change my passcode and then forget the new one?
You'll need to erase your iPhone 12 using Find My iPhone or a computer, then set it up again. There is no recovery method for a forgotten passcode. To avoid this, write your new passcode down in a find place, like a password manager, before you finish changing it.
Does changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?
No. Your passcode and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services on any device.
Can I change my passcode from another device?
No. You must change your passcode directly on your iPhone 12 through the Settings app. You cannot change it remotely from a computer or another phone. If you cannot access your iPhone, you'll need to erase it using Find My iPhone first.