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. Once you do, scroll down and tap Change Passcode. Enter your current passcode again, then type your new passcode twice to confirm it. The change takes effect when ready.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase the phone and set it up again. This is a security feature that prevents someone else from changing your code without your permission.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your passcode anytime by going to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and tapping Change Passcode.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one.
  • A strong passcode is at least six digits long, though you can use a longer custom code or a four-digit code if you prefer.
  • If you forget your passcode, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up as new or restore from a backup.
  • Your passcode protects your phone and the data on it, so choose something you can remember but others cannot guess.

What Passcode Length and Type Work Best

By default, iOS requires a six-digit passcode. When you tap Change Passcode, you can also tap Passcode Options to switch to a four-digit code, a custom numeric code of any length, or an alphanumeric code that includes letters and numbers. A longer code is harder to guess, but you need to remember it.

If you choose a four-digit code, someone who knows you well might guess it more easily. A six-digit code or longer custom code offers more protection. Alphanumeric codes are the strongest but also the hardest to type quickly.

Using Face ID or Touch ID Instead

You can set up Face ID or Touch ID so you do not have to type your passcode every time you unlock your phone. Both work alongside your passcode — if Face ID or Touch ID fails, you can still unlock your phone by entering the passcode manually.

To add Face ID or Touch ID, go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, and follow the on-screen steps. You can add multiple faces or fingerprints. If you lose access to your face or fingerprints — for example, after an injury — you can still unlock your phone with your passcode.

What to Do If You Forget Your Passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode, Settings will not let you change it. Instead, you will need to erase your iPhone completely. You can do this through iCloud.com, through another Apple device, or by taking your phone to an Apple Store.

The fastest way is usually iCloud.com: sign in with your Apple ID, go to Find My, select your iPhone, and choose Erase iPhone. This removes all data and passcode protection. You can then set up your phone again and create a new passcode. If you have a backup, you can restore your photos, messages, and apps after erasing.

How to Prepare Before You Forget Your Passcode

Write your passcode down and store it somewhere safe — a notebook at home, a password manager, or a trusted family member. This sounds obvious, but many people do not do it and regret it later.

Make sure you remember your Apple ID and password. If you erase your iPhone, you will need your Apple ID to set it up again. If you forget both your passcode and your Apple ID password, you will need to visit an Apple Store with proof of purchase or identity.

Changing Your Passcode on a Borrowed or Family Phone

If you are changing the passcode on a phone that belongs to someone else — a child's phone, for example — you will still need the current passcode. Parents can set up Screen Time restrictions to limit what a child can change, but Screen Time is separate from the passcode itself.

If you are the parent and you have forgotten the Screen Time passcode (not the phone unlock passcode), you can reset it by going to Settings, Screen Time, Change Screen Time Passcode, then Forgot Passcode. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without knowing the old one?

No. If you do not know your current passcode, you must erase your iPhone through iCloud.com or at an Apple Store. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from locking you out of your own phone.

What happens to my data if I change my passcode?

Changing your passcode does not affect your data at all. Your photos, messages, apps, and settings stay exactly as they are. Only the code you use to unlock your phone changes.

Is a four-digit passcode safe enough?

A four-digit code is easier to remember but easier to guess. A six-digit code or longer is stronger. If you use a four-digit code, avoid obvious numbers like your birth year or address.

Can I use the same passcode on multiple Apple devices?

Yes, you can use the same passcode on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac if you want. Each device stores its own passcode separately, so changing one does not change the others.

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

You will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again, just as if you had forgotten your original passcode. There is no way to recover a forgotten passcode without erasing the phone.