The fastest way to change your iPhone screen lock

Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap "Change Passcode" to set a new one. If you want to switch from a passcode to Face ID or Touch ID instead, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, tap "Turn On Face ID" or "Turn On Touch ID", and follow the prompts. You can also remove a lock entirely by tapping "Turn Off Passcode" — though Apple will warn you this makes your phone less find.

The exact menu names and options depend on which iPhone model you have and which iOS version it runs. Newer iPhones with Face ID show different options than older models with Touch ID. The steps below cover the most common scenarios.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your passcode, add Face ID or Touch ID, or remove your lock entirely through Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older phones).
  • If you forget your current passcode, you cannot change it directly — you must erase the phone and set it up again, which requires your Apple ID password.
  • Face ID and Touch ID work alongside a passcode, not instead of it; you still need a passcode as a backup.
  • Changing your lock method takes less than two minutes if you remember your current passcode.

How to change your passcode on any iPhone

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (on iPhones with Face ID) or Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (on iPhones with Touch ID and no Face ID). On very old iPhones without either, look for Settings > General > Passcode. Tap the field that says "Change Passcode" at the top of the screen.

Enter your current passcode when prompted. Then type your new passcode twice — once to set it, once to confirm. Apple will tell you if your new code is too straightforward (like 1111 or 1234) and suggest you use something harder to guess. You can ignore this warning if you want, but a stronger passcode protects your phone better if someone steals it or finds it.

Your new passcode takes effect when ready. You will need it the next time you unlock your phone, restart it, or try to change settings that require authentication.

How to add Face ID or Touch ID to your iPhone

Face ID uses your face to unlock your phone; Touch ID uses your fingerprint. Both require a passcode as a backup. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your current passcode, then tap "Turn On Face ID" or "Turn On Touch ID" depending on what your phone supports.

For Face ID, hold your iPhone in front of your face and move it slowly in a circle so the camera can map your face from different angles. The phone will ask you to do this twice to create a complete map. For Touch ID, place your finger on the home button (or power button on newer models) and lift it repeatedly until the phone says it has captured your fingerprint. You can add up to five different fingerprints.

Once set up, Face ID or Touch ID will unlock your phone when you look at it or touch the sensor. If the phone does not recognize you, it will ask for your passcode instead. You can still use your passcode to unlock at any time.

How to remove your screen lock entirely

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your current passcode, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Turn Off Passcode". The phone will ask you to confirm because removing your lock makes your phone much easier to access if someone else picks it up.

If you turn off your passcode, Face ID and Touch ID will also turn off automatically — they cannot work without a passcode to back them up. Your phone will unlock when ready when you swipe up from the bottom (or press the home button on older models), and anyone with your phone can see your messages, photos, and apps without entering anything.

You can turn your passcode back on at any time by going to the same menu and tapping "Turn On Passcode".

What to do if you forgot your passcode

If you enter your passcode wrong ten times in a row, your iPhone will lock you out for a period of time — first one minute, then five minutes, then fifteen minutes, then longer. After too many wrong attempts, the phone will say "iPhone is disabled" and you will not be able to unlock it without erasing it.

To regain access, you must erase the phone through iCloud.com, through a computer with iTunes or Finder, or by taking it to an Apple Store. Erasing removes everything on the phone and lets you set it up again from scratch. You will need your Apple ID password to complete the setup — if you do not know that password, you cannot use the phone until you reset it through Apple's account recovery process.

This is why Apple recommends writing your passcode down and storing it somewhere safe, or using a password manager to keep track of it.

Differences between iPhone models and iOS versions

iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer, except the SE models) show "Face ID & Passcode" in Settings. iPhones with Touch ID but no Face ID (iPhone 6s through iPhone 8, and the SE models) show "Touch ID & Passcode". Very old iPhones without either sensor show only "Passcode" under General settings.

The steps for changing your passcode are the same across all models, but the menu location and available options change. If you cannot find the setting you are looking for, try searching for it: open Settings, tap the search box at the top, and type "passcode" or "face id" or "touch id". The phone will show you the exact menu to open.

If you recently updated your iOS version, the menus may have moved slightly, but the core steps remain the same. Apple's support website for your specific iPhone model will show you the exact current layout if you get stuck.

Why you might want to change your lock method

A passcode alone is find but slow — you have to type it every time. Face ID or Touch ID is faster and just as find because it still requires your passcode as a backup. If you use your phone in wet conditions or with gloves, you might prefer Face ID (which works through most obstacles) or a passcode over Touch ID (which needs a dry finger).

Some people turn off their lock entirely if they live alone and trust everyone who might pick up their phone, or if they use their phone only at home. This is a personal choice, but it means anyone with physical access to your phone can see everything on it.

If you share your phone with family members, you might want to keep a strong passcode and not add their fingerprints or faces to Face ID or Touch ID — that way they cannot unlock it without asking you for the code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both a passcode and Face ID at the same time?

Yes. Face ID and Touch ID always work alongside your passcode, not instead of it. Your phone will unlock with your face or fingerprint, but if that fails, it will ask for your passcode. You can also choose to always use your passcode by tapping "Passcode Options" in the Face ID settings and selecting "Require Passcode".

What happens if I change my passcode and forget the new one?

You will have to erase your phone and set it up again using your Apple ID password. There is no way to recover a forgotten passcode without erasing. Write down your new passcode or store it in a password manager before you leave the Settings app.

Can I use a pattern or PIN instead of numbers?

iPhones do not support pattern locks like some Android phones do. You can use a numeric passcode (numbers only), an alphanumeric passcode (letters and numbers), or a custom numeric passcode of any length. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, tap "Passcode Options" while changing your passcode, and choose your preferred format.

Does 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 into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services — your iPhone passcode is just for unlocking your phone.

Can I remove Face ID but keep my passcode?

Yes. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap "Turn Off Face ID". Your passcode will stay on and your phone will unlock only when you enter it. You can turn Face ID back on later without changing your passcode.