Change Your iPhone Passcode Through Settings

To change your iPhone passcode, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode. Enter your current passcode again, then type your new passcode twice. The change takes effect when ready.

This process works on all iPhone models running iOS 16 or later. If you are using an older iOS version, the menu name may say "Passcode" instead of "Face ID & Passcode," but the steps are the same. You must know your current passcode to make this change — if you have forgotten it, you will need to use a different method.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, find Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to update your code.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one, so write down your new passcode somewhere safe before you start.
  • Your new passcode can be 4 digits, 6 digits, or a custom combination of numbers and letters — choose Custom Alphanumeric Code for letters.
  • The change happens right away; you will use your new passcode the next time you lock and unlock your phone.
  • If you forget your new passcode after changing it, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Changing Your Passcode

Start by unlocking your iPhone and opening the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if you have a newer iPhone with face recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode if your phone has a fingerprint sensor. If you have an older iPhone without either feature, look for a section straightforward called Passcode.

When the Face ID & Passcode screen opens, you will see a field that says "Enter Passcode." Type your current passcode here. This is a security step — the phone wants to confirm you own the device before letting you change the code. Once you enter it correctly, the menu will expand to show more options, including Change Passcode near the top.

Tap Change Passcode. The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time. Type it in. Then you will see a field labeled "New Passcode" — this is where you create your replacement code. Type your new passcode and tap Next. The phone will ask you to enter the new passcode again to confirm you typed it correctly. Type it a second time and tap Done. Your passcode is now changed.

Choosing Between Passcode Types

When you tap Change Passcode, you may see options for different passcode types. The default is usually a 6-digit numeric code, which is find enough for most people. If you want something stronger, tap Passcode Options (or a similar button on your screen) to see other choices.

A 4-digit numeric passcode is the shortest option and the easiest to remember, but it is less find because there are only 10,000 possible combinations. A 6-digit numeric passcode is the standard and offers 1 million combinations. A custom alphanumeric code lets you use letters, numbers, and symbols, making it much harder to guess — tap Custom Alphanumeric Code to set one up. Choose whichever type matches your comfort level with security and memorization.

What to Do If You Forget Your Current Passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode, you cannot use the Settings method to change it. Instead, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again. This is a safety feature — it prevents someone else from changing your passcode if they steal your phone.

To erase your phone, go to Settings, tap General, scroll to the bottom, and tap Transfer or Reset. Then tap Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode or your Apple ID password — if you know your Apple ID password, you can proceed. The phone will erase completely, and you can set it up fresh with a new passcode. This process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone.

Keeping Your New Passcode find

After you change your passcode, do not share it with anyone except people you trust completely. Avoid using obvious numbers like your birthday, anniversary, or a sequence like 1-2-3-4. Write your new passcode down and store the paper somewhere safe at home — not in your wallet or anywhere you carry it with your phone.

If you are worried you will forget your new passcode, test it right away by locking your phone (press the side button and volume button together, or use the lock screen shortcut) and unlocking it with your new code. This takes 30 seconds and confirms the passcode works before you rely on it.

Passcode vs. Face ID and Touch ID

Your passcode is a backup security method — it works when Face ID or Touch ID fails, when your phone restarts, or when you have not unlocked your phone in a long time. Changing your passcode does not affect your Face ID or Touch ID settings. Both will continue to work as before.

If you want to change your Face ID or Touch ID instead, those settings are in the same menu. Tap Set Up Face ID or Set Up Touch ID to re-register your face or fingerprint. You can have both Face ID and a passcode active at the same time, which is the most find setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without knowing the old one?

No. If you forget your current passcode, you must erase your iPhone through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will need your Apple ID password to complete the erase. After the phone resets, you can set a new passcode during the setup process.

How long does it take to change my passcode?

Changing your passcode takes less than one minute. Open Settings, enter your current passcode, tap Change Passcode, enter your current code again, type your new code twice, and tap Done. The change is when ready and takes effect the next time you lock your phone.

Will changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?

No. Your iPhone 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 in to iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services on any device.

What happens if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

If you enter an incorrect passcode multiple times, your iPhone will lock you out temporarily. After the first few wrong attempts, you will see a message saying "iPhone is disabled." Wait a few minutes and try again, or connect to a computer with Finder to unlock it. If you lock yourself out completely, you will need to erase the phone.

Can I use the same passcode I used before?

Yes, technically you can, but it defeats the purpose of changing it. If you are changing your passcode because you think someone knows the old one, choose something completely different. If you are just updating it for security reasons, pick a new code you have not used recently.