Change your iPad passcode through Settings

Open Settings on your iPad, then tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). You'll be asked to enter your current passcode. After that, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen, enter your current passcode one more time, then type your new passcode twice to confirm it.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new passcode takes effect immediately — the old one stops working as soon as you finish.

If you've forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you'll need to erase the iPad and set it up again, which means losing any data you haven't backed up to iCloud or a computer. That's why keeping a record of your passcode somewhere safe (like a password manager) matters more than people realize.

Key Takeaways

  • You need your current passcode to change it — Settings won't let you skip this step.
  • A new passcode can be four digits, six digits, or a mix of numbers and letters, depending on what you choose during setup.
  • If you forget your passcode, the only way forward is erasing the iPad, which deletes everything not backed up to iCloud.
  • Changing your passcode is useful if someone else has seen it, if you use the same code on multiple devices, or if you want to use a stronger one.

Why you might want to change your passcode

You should change your passcode if someone watched you enter it, if you've been using the same code for years, or if you share it with people who no longer need access. A passcode that only you know is one of the simplest ways to keep someone from unlocking your iPad and reading your messages, emails, or photos.

If you use the same passcode on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, changing it on just one device doesn't change the others — each device has its own passcode. That's actually useful: if you want a stronger code on your iPad but a simpler one on your iPhone, you can do that.

Choosing a stronger passcode

When you tap Change Passcode, iOS asks what kind of passcode you want. The default is six digits (like 847392). You can also choose Custom Alphanumeric Code, which lets you use letters, numbers, and symbols — something like "BlueMoon42!" is much harder to guess than "847392".

A longer passcode with letters and numbers is stronger because there are more possible combinations. Someone trying to guess "BlueMoon42!" would need far more attempts than someone trying to guess a six-digit number. If you're worried about someone trying to unlock your iPad by guessing, a custom code is worth the extra few seconds it takes to type.

You can also choose Custom Numeric Code if you want more than six digits but don't want letters — for example, a 10-digit code. The trade-off is that longer codes take longer to type every time you unlock your iPad.

What happens if you forget your new passcode

If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPad locks you out temporarily. After the first few wrong tries, you'll see a message saying you can try again in one minute. After more attempts, the wait gets longer — eventually hours. This is intentional: it slows down anyone trying to guess your code.

If you've locked yourself out completely and can't remember your passcode, you have one option: erase the iPad using a computer or iCloud.com, then set it up again from scratch. This deletes everything on the device unless you have a backup. That's why it's worth writing your passcode down somewhere secure — a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or even a piece of paper in a locked drawer.

Using Face ID or Touch ID instead

You still need a passcode even if you use Face ID (on newer iPads) or Touch ID (on iPads with a home button). Face ID and Touch ID are faster for everyday unlocking, but your passcode is the backup. If Face ID or Touch ID fails or isn't available, you'll enter your passcode instead.

Some people set a simple passcode because they rarely type it — they use Face ID most of the time. Others set a strong one because they know they'll type it occasionally and want real security. Both approaches work; it depends on how much security matters to you versus how much you mind typing a longer code.

Changing your passcode on a shared iPad

If multiple people use the same iPad, changing the passcode locks out everyone who knew the old one. Before you change it, make sure the other people who need access know the new code. You might also consider setting up separate user accounts on the iPad instead — that way each person has their own passcode and their own home screen, and they can't see each other's apps or data.

To set up a separate account, go to Settings > General > Users & Accounts (on iPadOS 17 and later) or ask each person to sign in with their own Apple ID in Settings > [Their Name]. This is more work upfront but gives everyone real privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without knowing the old one?

No. Settings requires you to enter your current passcode before letting you set a new one. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to erase the iPad using a computer or iCloud.com and set it up again from the beginning.

Does changing my iPad passcode change my iPhone passcode too?

No. Each device has its own separate passcode. You can change your iPad passcode without affecting your iPhone, Mac, or any other device. If you want them all to be the same, you'll need to change each one individually.

What's the difference between a passcode and a password?

A passcode unlocks your iPad itself — it's what you type when you turn it on or wake it up. A password is what you use to sign into apps, websites, or your Apple ID account. You need both, and they're separate things.

Is a six-digit passcode strong enough?

A six-digit passcode is better than a four-digit one, but a custom alphanumeric code (with letters, numbers, and symbols) is stronger. If your iPad holds sensitive information, a custom code is worth the extra typing time. If it mostly holds email and photos, six digits is usually sufficient.

Can I set a passcode that's just letters, no numbers?

When you choose Custom Alphanumeric Code, you can use letters, numbers, and symbols in any combination. You could use only letters if you wanted, but mixing in numbers and symbols makes it harder to guess.