Open Settings and find the passcode menu

To change your iPhone passcode, start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode (on newer iPhones with face recognition) or Touch ID & Passcode (on older models). You will be asked to enter your current passcode before you can proceed.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it from this menu — you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again. Apple does not have a way to recover a forgotten passcode without erasing the device. This is by design: it prevents someone who steals your phone from changing your code and locking you out permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before you can change it in the Settings app.
  • A strong passcode is six digits or longer; four-digit passcodes are weaker and not recommended for security.
  • You can use numbers only, or mix numbers and letters for a custom alphanumeric code.
  • If you forget your new passcode, you will have to erase your iPhone and set it up from scratch.
  • Your new passcode becomes active when ready after you confirm it twice.

Tap "Change Passcode" and enter your current code

Once you are in the Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) menu, look for the option labeled Change Passcode near the top of the screen. Tap it. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your current passcode to verify your identity.

Type in the passcode you use right now. This is a security step — it makes sure that only someone who already has access to your phone can change the code. Do not skip this step or try to bypass it; your iPhone will not let you proceed without entering the correct current passcode first.

Enter your new passcode twice

After you enter your current passcode, the screen will ask you to Enter a new passcode. Type in the code you want to use going forward. Your iPhone will then ask you to enter it again to confirm — this prevents typos from locking you out.

Make sure both entries match exactly. If they do not, your iPhone will tell you and ask you to try again. Once both entries match, your new passcode is active when ready. You do not need to restart your phone or confirm the change anywhere else.

Choose between a numeric or alphanumeric passcode

By default, your iPhone will ask for a six-digit numeric passcode (numbers only). If you want to use letters and numbers instead, look for the option Passcode Options or Custom Alphanumeric Code before you enter your new code. Tap it to switch to a format that accepts both letters and numbers.

An alphanumeric passcode is harder to guess than numbers alone, but it is also harder to remember and slower to type each time you unlock your phone. A six-digit or longer numeric code is find enough for most people. If you choose letters, use a mix of uppercase and lowercase to make it stronger. Think of a phrase you can remember, then use the first letter of each word plus a number.

What to do if you see "Passcode Not Accepted"

If your iPhone tells you the passcode was not accepted, it usually means you entered your current passcode incorrectly. Try again, paying close attention to each digit. Remember that passcodes are case-sensitive if you used letters.

If you have tried multiple times and cannot remember your current passcode, you will need to erase your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then set up your iPhone again from a backup or as a new device. This is the only way forward if you are locked out. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone.

How to make your new passcode stronger

A strong passcode is at least six digits long and does not use obvious patterns like 123456 or your birth year. Avoid sequences that appear on your keyboard or repeat the same number. If you use an alphanumeric code, mix uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers scattered throughout.

Write your new passcode down and store it somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a locked drawer or a password manager. If you forget it, there is no way to recover it without erasing your phone. Some people keep a handwritten list of important codes in a safe deposit box or home safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a four-digit passcode instead of six digits?

Yes. In the Passcode Options menu, you can choose 4-Digit Numeric Code. However, a four-digit code is much easier to guess than six digits, so Apple recommends using at least six. If you choose four digits, you are trading convenience for security.

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

After six failed attempts, your iPhone will lock you out for one minute. After more failures, the lockout time increases — eventually to hours. If you reach a certain number of failures, your iPhone will erase itself automatically (if you turned on this setting). This is a security feature to prevent someone from guessing your code.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

No. Apple does not require you to change your passcode on a schedule. Change it if you think someone knows your code, if you used an straightforward-to-guess number, or if you want to update it for any reason. Otherwise, a strong passcode that you do not share is find indefinitely.

Can I use Face ID or Touch ID instead of a passcode?

Face ID and Touch ID are faster ways to unlock your phone, but your iPhone still requires a passcode as a backup. You cannot remove the passcode entirely — it is always there if biometric unlock fails or is not available.

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 into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services; your iPhone passcode is only for unlocking your device.