Open Settings and find the passcode screen

To change your iPhone 13 passcode, start by opening the Settings app — the gray icon with gears that sits on your home screen. Tap it, then scroll down until you see "Face ID & Passcode" (or "Touch ID & Passcode" if you use your fingerprint instead of face recognition). Tap that option.

The phone will ask you to enter your current passcode before it shows you the passcode settings. Type in the six-digit code you use now. Once you enter it correctly, you'll see a screen with several options, including "Change Passcode" near the top. That's the button you need.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before the phone lets you change it — this is a security step to prevent someone else from changing your code without permission.
  • The phone will ask you to enter your new passcode twice to make sure you typed it correctly the first time.
  • If you forget your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you'll need to erase the phone and set it up again, which requires your Apple ID password.
  • A strong passcode uses six digits or more, and mixing numbers with letters makes it harder to guess than numbers alone.

Enter your new passcode twice

After you tap "Change Passcode," the phone asks you to enter your new six-digit code. Type the numbers you want to use going forward. The screen will show dots instead of the actual numbers as you type, so no one looking over your shoulder can see what you entered.

After you finish typing your new code, tap "Next." The phone immediately asks you to type the same passcode again. This second entry is a safety check — if the two don't match, the phone tells you and asks you to try again. Once both entries match, the change is complete.

Make your passcode longer or add letters if you want stronger security

By default, iPhone 13 uses a six-digit passcode. If you want something harder to guess, you can make it longer or switch to a mix of numbers and letters. On the "Change Passcode" screen, before you type your new code, look for "Passcode Options" at the bottom. Tap it to see three choices: a six-digit code, a four-digit code, or a custom alphanumeric code (numbers and letters mixed together).

A custom code with letters and numbers is the strongest option, but it's also the one you have to type most carefully each time you unlock your phone. A longer numeric code (more than six digits) is a good middle ground — it's harder to guess than six digits, but still faster to type than a code with letters. Choose whichever fits how you actually use your phone.

What to do if you forget your current passcode

If you can't remember the passcode you're using now, Settings won't let you change it — the phone requires you to enter the old one first. Your only option is to erase the iPhone and set it up again from scratch. You can do this through Settings by going to General, then scrolling down to "Transfer or Reset," then tapping "Erase All Content and Settings."

The phone will ask for your Apple ID password before it erases anything. This is intentional — it prevents someone from stealing your phone and wiping it clean. Once you enter your Apple ID password, the phone erases itself and walks you through setup again, and you can create a new passcode at that point. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Change your passcode regularly for better security

There's no rule that says you must change your passcode on any particular schedule, but security experts recommend changing it every few months if the phone contains sensitive information like banking apps or work email. If you think someone may have seen your code, change it right away.

You should also change your passcode if you've used the same one for more than a year, or if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs access to your phone. Each time you change it, follow the same steps: Settings, Face ID & Passcode, enter your current code, tap "Change Passcode," and type your new code twice.

Passcode versus Face ID: which one actually locks your phone

Your passcode and Face ID both unlock your iPhone 13, but they work differently. Face ID is the fast way — you look at the phone and it recognizes your face. The passcode is the backup. If Face ID fails (because you're wearing sunglasses, or the lighting is bad, or your face has changed), the phone asks for your passcode instead.

If someone disables Face ID in Settings, or if the phone is restarted, you must use your passcode to unlock it. This is why your passcode matters even if you use Face ID every day. Changing your passcode doesn't affect Face ID — they're separate security layers, and you can change one without touching the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The phone requires you to enter your current passcode before it lets you create a new one. This prevents someone who picks up your phone from locking you out by changing the code. If you've forgotten your current passcode, you must erase the phone and set it up again using your Apple ID password.

Can I use the same passcode I used before?

Technically yes, but the phone doesn't stop you from reusing an old code. However, if someone already knows that code, changing to it again doesn't improve your security. It's better to create something new each time you change your passcode.

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

After six wrong attempts, the phone disables itself for one minute. After ten wrong attempts, it locks for five minutes. After fifteen wrong attempts, it locks for 60 minutes. This slowdown is intentional — it makes it much harder for someone to guess your code by trying many combinations quickly.

Can I change my passcode without going to Settings?

No. Settings is the only place on your iPhone 13 where you can change your passcode. There's no shortcut or alternative method. You must open Settings, navigate to Face ID & Passcode, and follow the steps from there.

Will changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?

No. Your iPhone passcode and your Apple ID password are completely separate. Changing one has no effect on the other. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services — changing your iPhone passcode doesn't touch any of that.