Change your iPad password through Settings in three steps

To change your iPad password, 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. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your iPad password — called a passcode in Apple's terminology — protects access to your device and the data stored on it. Changing it regularly is a practical security habit, especially if you share your iPad with family members or if you suspect someone knows your current code.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to start the process.
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one, so have it ready.
  • Your new passcode can be four digits, six digits, or a custom alphanumeric code — choose the length that works for you.
  • If you forget your new passcode immediately after setting it, you'll need to erase your iPad and set it up again, so write it down or use your password manager.

Step-by-step: changing your passcode

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if your iPad uses facial recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode if it has a fingerprint sensor. On very old iPad models without either, look for Passcode instead.

When the Face ID & Passcode screen opens, you'll see a prompt asking for your current passcode. Type it in. This confirms you have permission to change the security settings on this device.

Once you've entered your current passcode correctly, tap Change Passcode near the top of the screen. The system will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time as a final check. After you do, you'll see fields for your new passcode. Enter your new code twice — once to set it, and once to confirm it matches. Tap Change or Done, depending on your iPad model's iOS version.

Choosing between passcode lengths

When you create a new passcode, iOS gives you three options. A four-digit code is the quickest to enter but the easiest to guess. A six-digit code offers more security with only slightly longer entry time. A custom alphanumeric passcode uses letters, numbers, and symbols, making it much harder to crack — but it takes longer to type each time you unlock your iPad.

If you choose a custom code, avoid using your birthday, address, or other information someone who knows you might guess. A random mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols is strongest. If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, you can generate a strong code there and paste it into your iPad settings.

What happens if you forget your new passcode

If you change your passcode and immediately forget it, you cannot simply reset it through Settings. Instead, you'll need to erase your iPad completely and set it up again from scratch. This is why writing down your new passcode or storing it in a password manager matters — the moment you confirm the change, that code becomes the only way back in.

If your iPad is linked to an iCloud account, you can erase it remotely using Find My iPad on another device or at iCloud.com. After erasing, you'll set up your iPad again and can create a new passcode during that process. This takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed and how much data you need to restore.

Using Face ID or Touch ID alongside your passcode

Changing your passcode does not affect Face ID or Touch ID — those biometric systems stay active and work the same way. Your passcode is still required for certain sensitive actions like changing security settings, making purchases, or unlocking your iPad if Face ID or Touch ID fails.

If you want to add a new face or fingerprint after changing your passcode, that's done in the same Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode screen. Scroll down to find Add a Face or Add a Fingerprint and follow the on-screen prompts. You'll need to enter your new passcode to confirm the change.

When to change your iPad passcode

Change your passcode if someone has seen you enter it, if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you suspect your iPad has been used without permission or if you're selling or giving away the device — create a temporary passcode, then erase the iPad before handing it over.

If you use the same passcode across multiple devices, changing it on your iPad is a good reminder to update your iPhone, Mac, or other Apple devices too. Each device's passcode is independent, so changing one does not affect the others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know my old passcode to change it?

Yes. Settings requires you to enter your current passcode before you can create a new one. This prevents someone who briefly has access to your unlocked iPad from changing your security settings. If you've forgotten your current passcode, you'll need to erase your iPad and set it up again.

Can I use the same passcode I used before?

Technically yes, but there's no security reason to do so. If you're changing your passcode because someone knows it, reusing the old one defeats the purpose. If you're just updating it as routine maintenance, pick something different.

Will changing my passcode affect my iCloud account or Apple ID?

No. Your iPad passcode is separate from your Apple ID password. 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 — that's managed in Settings under your name at the top of the screen, not in Face ID & Passcode.

What if I change my passcode but then can't remember the new one?

You'll need to erase your iPad using Find My iPad (on another device or at iCloud.com) or by connecting it to a computer with Finder or iTunes. After erasing, you'll set up your iPad again and create a new passcode. Keep your new passcode written down or stored in a password manager to avoid this situation.

Can I change my passcode without unlocking my iPad first?

No. You must unlock your iPad and open Settings to change your passcode. The system requires you to enter your current passcode as proof you have permission to change security settings.