Open Settings and find Face ID & Passcode

Your iPhone 15 passcode is the six-digit (or custom-length) code you enter when Face ID doesn't work or when you restart your phone. To change it, start by opening the Settings app — the gray gear icon on your home screen.

Scroll down until you see Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode if you have an older model). Tap it. Your phone will ask you to enter your current passcode to proceed — this is a security check to make sure only you can change it.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before you can change it, so have it ready or use Face ID to unlock the screen first.
  • The default passcode length is six digits, but you can choose a four-digit code or a custom alphanumeric code during setup.
  • If you forget your passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID.
  • Changing your passcode does not affect your Apple ID password, two-factor authentication, or any other passwords stored on your phone.

Tap Change Passcode and enter your current code

Once you are in the Face ID & Passcode menu, look for the option labeled Change Passcode near the top of the screen. Tap it.

Your phone will ask you to enter your current passcode. Type the six digits (or however many digits your code is) and tap the checkmark or press Enter. This step confirms that you have access to the phone and are authorized to make this change.

Create your new passcode

After you enter your current passcode, the screen will show a field that says Enter a new passcode. Type the six-digit code you want to use going forward. You can use any combination of numbers from 0 to 9.

If you want to use a four-digit code instead, or a code that includes letters and numbers, tap Passcode Options before you type anything. This lets you choose Custom Alphanumeric Code (letters and numbers), Custom Numeric Code (any length of numbers), or 4-Digit Numeric Code. Make your choice, then type your new code.

Re-enter your new passcode to confirm

After you type your new passcode once, the screen will ask you to enter it again. This is a confirmation step — it makes sure you did not mistype anything. Type the same code a second time and tap the checkmark.

If the two entries match, your passcode is changed immediately. If they do not match, your phone will tell you and ask you to try again. Once the confirmation is accepted, you are done.

What happens if you forget your passcode

If you forget your passcode and cannot change it through Settings, you have one option: erase your iPhone and set it up again. You can do this using a computer with Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), or by using iCloud's Find My iPhone feature.

When you erase and set up your phone again, you will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. As long as you remember those, you can restore your data from a backup and create a new passcode. This process takes time and will erase anything on your phone that is not backed up, so it is worth writing down your passcode somewhere safe — a password manager, a notebook in a drawer, or a trusted person who also knows your Apple ID password.

Passcode versus Apple ID password and other security codes

Your iPhone passcode is separate from your Apple ID password. Changing one does not change the other. Your passcode unlocks your physical phone; your Apple ID password controls your account on Apple's servers and protects your iCloud data, purchases, and Find My iPhone.

You also may have a two-factor authentication code, which is a six-digit number Apple sends to a trusted device when you sign in from a new location. This is also separate from your passcode. Changing your passcode does not affect any of these other security layers.

Why you should change your passcode regularly

If someone has watched you enter your passcode, or if you have used the same code for a long time, changing it is a straightforward way to lock them out. A passcode change takes less than a minute and requires no other tools or accounts.

You do not need to change your passcode on any particular schedule — security experts generally recommend changing it only when you suspect someone knows it, or after you have shared it with someone and no longer trust them. If you use a strong, unique code that only you know, you can keep the same one indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passcode with letters and numbers on iPhone 15?

Yes. When you tap Change Passcode, select Passcode Options and choose Custom Alphanumeric Code. You can then use any combination of numbers, uppercase letters, and lowercase letters. This is stronger than a numeric code but takes longer to type each time you unlock your phone.

What if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

After six failed attempts, your iPhone will lock you out for one minute. After the tenth failed attempt, it locks for five minutes. After the fifteenth attempt, it locks for 60 minutes. If you keep failing after that, your phone may erase itself if you have enabled that setting in Face ID & Passcode.

Does changing my passcode erase my data?

No. Changing your passcode does not affect any photos, messages, apps, or other data on your phone. It only changes the code you use to unlock your device. Your data stays exactly as it is.

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. You must enter your current passcode or use Face ID to unlock your phone before you can change it. This is a security feature that prevents someone else from changing your code without your knowledge.

What is the difference between a passcode and Face ID?

Face ID is a biometric unlock method that uses your face. Your passcode is a number or alphanumeric code you type. You need the passcode as a backup when Face ID fails, when you restart your phone, or when you have not unlocked it in a long time. Both work together to secure your device.