How to Change Your iPhone Passcode in Settings

Change your iPhone passcode through Settings

To change your iPhone passcode, 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 again, then create a new one. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your passcode is the numeric or alphanumeric code that unlocks your phone. It's separate from your Apple ID password, which you use to sign into iCloud and the App Store. Changing your passcode regularly makes it harder for someone else to access your device if they see you enter it or guess a simple code.

Key Takeaways

You need your current passcode to change it — if you've forgotten it, you'll have to erase your phone and set it up again.
A strong passcode is at least six digits long, though you can use a longer alphanumeric code if you prefer.
Your new passcode takes effect immediately, so write down the old one if you need it for another device.
If you use iCloud Keychain, your passcode is not stored in the cloud — only you can change it.

Step-by-step: changing your passcode

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode if you have a newer iPhone with face recognition, or Touch ID & Passcode on older models. At the top of the screen, you'll see "Change Passcode" — tap it.

You'll be asked to enter your current passcode. Type it in. Then you'll see a screen that says "Enter a new passcode." Type your new code here. Make it something you can remember but that isn't obvious — avoid birthdays, sequential numbers like 1234, or repeating digits like 1111. You'll be asked to enter the new passcode a second time to confirm it. Once you do, the change is complete.

If you want a longer or more complex passcode, tap "Passcode Options" before you enter your new code. You can choose a custom alphanumeric code (letters and numbers mixed) instead of just numbers. A longer code is more secure, but you'll type it every time you unlock your phone, so choose something you won't get tired of entering.

What to do if you forgot your current passcode

If you can't remember your current passcode, you cannot change it through Settings — you'll need to erase your phone and set it up again from scratch. This is intentional: Apple locks you out to prevent someone else from changing your passcode if they steal your phone.

To erase your phone, you'll need a computer with iTunes or Finder, or you can use iCloud's Find My iPhone feature. Go to iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, select Find My iPhone, choose your device, and tap Erase iPhone. Your phone will be wiped, and you can set it up again with a new passcode. This process erases all data on your phone unless you have a backup in iCloud or on your computer.

The difference between passcode and Apple ID password

Your passcode unlocks your physical phone. Your Apple ID password signs you into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. They are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other.

If you want to change your Apple ID password instead, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security, and select Change Password. You'll need to enter your current Apple ID password and then create a new one. That change affects your account across all devices and services, not just your phone.

Using a strong passcode on a shared or borrowed phone

If you're using someone else's iPhone temporarily, you should not change their passcode. If you need to unlock the phone, ask the owner to enter their passcode for you. Changing someone else's passcode locks them out of their own device.

If you're setting up a new iPhone for the first time, you'll be asked to create a passcode during setup. You can skip this step, but Apple will ask you again. Having a passcode protects your data if your phone is lost or stolen, so it's worth setting one up even if it feels like an extra step.

Passcode vs. Face ID and Touch ID

Face ID and Touch ID are faster ways to unlock your phone, but they don't replace your passcode. Your passcode is the backup unlock method. If Face ID or Touch ID fails, or if your phone restarts, you'll need to enter your passcode to unlock it.

You can use Face ID or Touch ID without changing your passcode. They work together: your biometric data (your face or fingerprint) unlocks the phone quickly, but your passcode is still required for certain sensitive actions like changing payment methods or viewing saved passwords. If you want to disable Face ID or Touch ID but keep your phone locked, you can turn them off in Settings while keeping your passcode active.

What happens if you enter your passcode wrong multiple times

If you enter your passcode incorrectly six times in a row, your iPhone will disable itself for 60 seconds. After that, you can try again. If you keep entering it wrong, the wait time increases — it goes to 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, then an hour. After the tenth wrong attempt, your phone will ask you to try again later or erase the device.

This lockout is a security feature. It makes it much harder for someone to guess your passcode by trying random numbers. If you're locked out and you remember your passcode, just wait for the timer to expire and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use letters and numbers in my passcode?

Yes, if you choose a custom alphanumeric code instead of a numeric one. When you tap Change Passcode, select Passcode Options and choose Custom Alphanumeric Code. You can then use any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. This is more secure than numbers alone, but you'll need to remember the exact combination.

Will changing my passcode affect my backups or iCloud?

No. Your passcode only unlocks your phone. It doesn't affect iCloud backups, your Apple ID, or any data stored in the cloud. If you have iCloud Keychain turned on, your passwords and payment information are encrypted separately and won't be affected by a passcode change.

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

You'll need to erase your phone and set it up again. There is no way to recover a forgotten passcode. If you have a backup in iCloud or on a computer, you can restore your data after erasing, but the phone itself must be wiped. Write down your new passcode somewhere safe if you're worried about forgetting it.

Can I set my passcode to be the same as my Apple ID password?

You can, but it's not recommended. Your passcode and Apple ID password serve different purposes and protect different things. If someone learns one, you don't want them to have both. Keep them separate for better security.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

There's no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. However, if you think someone may have seen you enter it, or if you've used the same passcode for a long time, changing it is a good idea. You should definitely change it if you suspect someone has access to your phone.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.