The fastest way depends on what device or account you're changing

Changing a passcode is usually a few taps or clicks in your device settings, but the exact steps differ between phones, computers, and online accounts. On most devices, you'll find the passcode option under Security or Lock Screen settings. For accounts like email or banking apps, the change happens in your account settings, not on your device itself. The reason to change regularly is straightforward: if someone learns your current code, a new one locks them out immediately.

Start by identifying what you're actually changing. A phone passcode (also called a PIN or password) unlocks the device itself. A computer password does the same for a laptop or desktop. Account passwords protect your email, banking, social media, or work logins. Each one changes in a different place, though the principle is the same: you prove you know the old code, then set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhones, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode.
  • On Android phones, the path is usually Settings > Security > Screen Lock or Lock Type, though the exact wording varies by manufacturer.
  • On Windows computers, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password, and on Mac, open System Settings > General > Login Items or use Keychain Access.
  • For online accounts, look for Account Settings or Security Settings in the app or website, find the Password or Passcode section, and follow the prompt to enter your current code before creating a new one.
  • A strong passcode is at least 6 digits (or 8 characters for passwords) and avoids obvious patterns like birthdays or sequential numbers.

Changing your iPhone or iPad passcode

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and scroll down to find Face ID & Passcode (if your device uses face recognition) or Touch ID & Passcode (if it uses your fingerprint). If your device is older and uses only a numeric code, you'll see Passcode instead. Tap the option, then enter your current passcode when prompted.

Once you're in, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. You'll be asked to enter your current passcode one more time to confirm it's really you. Then enter your new passcode twice — once to set it, once to confirm you typed it correctly. Apple will let you know if your new code is too simple (like 1111 or 123456) and suggest you make it stronger. If you want to use letters and symbols instead of just numbers, tap Passcode Options before entering your new code and select Custom Alphanumeric Code.

Changing your Android phone passcode

On Android phones, the exact path varies slightly depending on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another brand, but the general route is the same. Open Settings, then look for Security or Security and Privacy. Tap Screen Lock, Lock Type, or Lock Screen Security — the name changes by manufacturer. You'll see your current lock method (PIN, pattern, password, or biometric).

Tap the one you're currently using, enter your current passcode or pattern, then select Change or Update. Enter your new passcode twice to confirm. If you want to switch from a PIN to a password (letters and numbers) or a pattern (drawing a shape on the screen), tap the current method and choose a different lock type instead. Android will warn you if your code is too weak, such as a simple sequence like 1234.

Changing your Windows computer password

On a Windows computer, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click Accounts on the left side, then Sign-in options. Under Password, click Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password to verify you're the account owner.

After you confirm your current password, you'll see three fields: one for your new password, one to confirm it, and one for a password hint (which only you will see when you log in). Type your new password in both the first and second fields — they must match exactly, including capital letters. The hint is optional but useful if you tend to forget passwords; just don't make it so obvious that someone else could guess your password from it. Click Next, then Finish to save the change. You'll use your new password the next time you log in.

Changing your Mac password

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General, then Login Items, or search for "Users & Groups" in the search bar. You may need to click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your current password to make changes.

Find your user account in the list on the left, then click the lock icon next to your account name. Enter your current password, then click Change Password. Type your new password in the first field and again in the Confirm field. You can add a password hint if you want. Click Change Password to save it. On some Macs, you can also change your password through Keychain Access: open Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access, find your login keychain, and update the password there.

Changing passwords for email and online accounts

For email, banking, social media, and other online accounts, the change happens in your account settings, not on your device. Log into the account on a web browser or in the app. Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines), your profile picture, or a Settings option. From there, find Account Settings, Security Settings, or Privacy & Security.

Look for a Password, Passcode, or Sign-in Security section. Click Change Password or Update Password. You'll be asked to enter your current password first — this confirms you're really the account owner and not someone who stole your device. Then enter your new password twice to confirm it. Some accounts will ask you to verify your identity a second way, such as by entering a code sent to your phone or email. This extra step protects you if someone has already compromised your password. After you confirm, you're done — the change takes effect immediately.

Making your new passcode strong and memorable

A strong passcode is hard for others to guess but easy enough for you to remember. Avoid birthdays, anniversaries, names of family members, or simple sequences like 1234 or 5555. These are the first things someone will try if they know you. Instead, use a mix of numbers that have meaning only to you — perhaps the house number of a place you lived years ago, or numbers from a favorite book or movie that no one else would know.

For passwords (letters and numbers), aim for at least 8 characters and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if the account allows them. A phrase is often easier to remember than a random string: "BlueSky!2024" is stronger than "Qwerty123" and easier to recall. If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change that habit — if one account is breached, attackers will try that password on your email, banking, and other important accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store unique passwords for each account so you only have to remember one strong master password.

What to do if you forget your passcode

If you forget your device passcode, you'll need to reset your device, which erases everything on it unless you have a backup. On an iPhone, you can use iCloud.com to find your device and erase it remotely, then restore from a backup. On Android, you can sign into your Google account on the lock screen to unlock the device. On Windows, you can reset your password using another admin account or a password reset disk if you created one beforehand. On a Mac, you can use your Apple ID to reset your password at the login screen.

For online accounts, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. You'll be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your email or phone number. After you verify, you can set a new password. This is why it's important to keep your recovery email and phone number current in your account settings. If someone else has access to those, they can reset your password and lock you out of your own account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my passcode?

Change it if you suspect someone knows it, if you've used the same code for more than a year, or if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs access. You don't need to change it monthly unless your workplace or bank requires it. The bigger risk is using a weak code or reusing the same password across multiple accounts.

Can I use the same passcode for my phone and my email account?

You can, but it's risky. If someone learns that one code, they can unlock your phone and access your email. Use different codes for accounts that matter — especially email, banking, and work accounts. Your phone lock and less important accounts can be the same if you want to keep things simple.

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

On most devices, you can change it again right away using the same process — just enter the new passcode you just set, then create another one. If you've already locked yourself out, you'll need to reset the device using the recovery steps for your device type.

Do I need to change my passcode if I think someone saw me type it?

Yes. Change it as soon as you can. If someone watched you enter it, they have full access to your device or account. The sooner you change it, the sooner they're locked out. If it's an important account like email or banking, also check your recent activity to see if anyone else has logged in.

Why does my device ask me to change my passcode when I haven't asked to?

Some devices or accounts require you to change your password periodically for security reasons, or after a security update. Your workplace or school may also enforce password changes. Follow the prompt and choose a new code. If you're unsure why the request appeared, check your account settings or contact your IT department.