Change your iPad password through Settings, not through any app or website

Your iPad password — also called your screen lock or passcode — is the six-digit (or longer) code you enter when you wake the device. To change it, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current passcode, then tap Change Passcode. You'll enter your old passcode once more, then create and confirm your new one.

This is the only way to change your passcode. Apple does not offer a password change through any app, website, or phone call. If someone tells you to change your iPad password anywhere else, they're either confused or trying to trick you into entering your passcode on a fake screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, find Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and tap Change Passcode to update your screen lock code.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one — Apple has no backdoor to skip this step.
  • Your new passcode should be at least six digits, though you can make it longer or use letters and symbols for stronger protection.
  • If you forget your passcode, you cannot change it without erasing the iPad and setting it up again from scratch.

Step-by-step: changing your passcode in Settings

Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your iPad has Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode if it has a fingerprint sensor. If your iPad has neither, look for Passcode instead.

Tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. Your iPad will ask you to enter your current passcode — this confirms you own the device and have permission to change it. Type the six digits (or whatever length your current passcode is) and tap Next.

Now enter your new passcode. Apple requires at least six digits by default, but you can make it longer. If you want to use letters, numbers, and symbols instead of just digits, tap Passcode Options before you enter anything, then choose Custom Alphanumeric Code. Type your new passcode and tap Next.

Re-enter your new passcode to confirm it. Tap Done. Your iPad will return to the Settings screen, and your new passcode is now active. The next time you wake your iPad, you'll use the new code.

Why you might want to change your passcode

Change your passcode if you think someone saw you enter it, if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you've been using the same code for years. A passcode that only you know is one of the strongest protections your iPad has — it's the barrier between someone with your device and all your photos, messages, and accounts.

You don't need to change it on any schedule. A passcode that's truly secret doesn't get weaker over time just because you've had it for a while. But if there's any chance someone else knows it, change it right away.

What to do if you forget your passcode

If you forget your passcode, you cannot change it without erasing the iPad. Apple built it this way on purpose — if someone could reset a passcode without knowing the old one, the passcode wouldn't protect anything.

Your options are to erase the iPad and set it up again (which you can do through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings), or to use a computer with Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows) to restore the iPad. Both routes erase everything on the device unless you have a backup in iCloud. If you do have an iCloud backup, you can restore from it after the erase is complete.

The difference between your passcode and your Apple ID password

Your iPad passcode is the code you enter on the device itself. Your Apple ID password is the password you use to sign into your Apple account on apple.com or in Settings. They are separate, and changing one does not change the other.

If you need to change your Apple ID password instead, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. You'll need to enter your current Apple ID password and then create a new one. This change affects all your Apple devices and your Apple account online.

Making your new passcode stronger

A six-digit passcode is standard, but longer is stronger. If you want more protection, use Passcode Options to switch to a custom alphanumeric code — one that includes letters, numbers, and symbols. A code like "iPad2024Blue!" is much harder to guess than "123456".

Avoid passcodes based on birthdays, anniversaries, or sequences like "111111" or "123456". These are the first codes people try if they're guessing. A random mix of numbers, letters, and symbols is best. Write it down somewhere safe if you're worried you'll forget it — a notebook in a drawer at home is more secure than storing it in a note on the iPad itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. Apple requires you to enter your current passcode before you can create a new one. This is intentional — it prevents someone who picks up your iPad from immediately locking you out by changing the code. If you've forgotten your current passcode, you'll need to erase the iPad and set it up again.

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

You're in the same situation as forgetting any passcode — you'll need to erase the iPad. There's no way to recover a forgotten passcode. If you're worried about forgetting a new code, write it down in a safe place before you finish changing it, or choose something you know you'll remember.

Does changing my iPad passcode change my Apple ID password?

No, they are completely separate. Your iPad passcode unlocks the device. Your Apple ID password unlocks your Apple account. You can change one without affecting the other. If you want to change your Apple ID password, do that in Settings under your name, not under Face ID & Passcode.

Can I use a fingerprint or face instead of a passcode?

Face ID and Touch ID are faster ways to unlock your iPad, but they don't replace your passcode — they work alongside it. You still need a passcode as a backup. If Face ID or Touch ID fails, you'll enter your passcode instead. You can turn off Face ID or Touch ID in Settings, but you cannot turn off the passcode entirely.