How to Change Your Eyes Only Password on iPhone

What Eyes Only is and why you might change the password

Eyes Only is a password-protected folder inside the Notes app on your iPhone. It stores individual notes separately from your regular notes, and you unlock it with a password or Face ID or Touch ID. You might change the password if you forget it, want to use a stronger one, or need to switch from a password to biometric unlock.

The process differs depending on whether you remember your current password. If you do, you can change it directly in Settings. If you don't remember it, you'll need to delete the Eyes Only folder and start fresh — there's no way to recover a forgotten Eyes Only password.

Key Takeaways

You change your Eyes Only password in Settings under Notes, not in the Notes app itself.
If you remember your current password, you can create a new one in about two minutes.
If you forget your password, you must delete the Eyes Only folder and lose all notes stored there — Apple cannot recover them.
You can switch between password-only protection and biometric unlock (Face ID or Touch ID) at any time.
Your Eyes Only password is separate from your Apple ID password and iCloud Keychain.

Change your Eyes Only password if you remember the current one

Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll down to find Notes. Tap it, then tap Eyes Only. You'll see an option that says Password — tap that. Enter your current Eyes Only password when prompted.

Once you've entered the current password, you'll see a field to create a new one. Type your new password twice to confirm it matches. The password can be any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Tap Done when you finish. Your new password takes effect immediately.

If you want to use Face ID or Touch ID instead of typing a password each time, stay in the Eyes Only settings and toggle on Use Face ID or Use Touch ID (whichever your phone supports). You'll still need to enter your password once to confirm the change, but after that you can unlock Eyes Only with your face or fingerprint.

What to do if you forgot your Eyes Only password

There is no password recovery option for Eyes Only. Apple does not store your password and cannot reset it for you. If you've forgotten it, your only option is to delete the Eyes Only folder entirely, which will erase all notes stored inside it.

To delete Eyes Only, go to Settings, tap Notes, then tap Eyes Only. Scroll to the bottom and tap Delete Eyes Only. Confirm the deletion when prompted. Once deleted, you can create a new Eyes Only folder with a new password the next time you try to create an Eyes Only note.

Before you delete it, consider whether anyone else in your household might know the password. If you share an iPhone with someone, ask them first. If the phone is entirely yours and you're certain you don't remember the password, deletion is the only path forward.

Create a new Eyes Only folder after deletion

After you delete Eyes Only, the folder is gone but the feature itself remains available. The next time you create a note and want to move it to Eyes Only, the system will prompt you to set up a new password. Open Notes, create a new note, then tap the three dots at the top right and select Move to Eyes Only.

You'll be asked to create a new Eyes Only password. Make it something you can remember but that others cannot easily guess. Once you've set the password, that note moves into Eyes Only and the folder is active again. Any future notes you move to Eyes Only will use the same password.

Switching between password and biometric unlock

You don't have to choose one method and stick with it. You can use both a password and Face ID or Touch ID at the same time. Go to Settings, tap Notes, then Eyes Only. You'll see toggles for Use Face ID and Use Touch ID. Turn either or both on.

When both are enabled, your iPhone will try Face ID or Touch ID first when you open Eyes Only. If that fails, you'll be asked to enter your password as a backup. This gives you flexibility — you can unlock Eyes Only with your face most of the time, but still have a password to fall back on if your face isn't recognized or you're wearing a mask or sunglasses.

If you turn off both biometric options, you'll always need to type your password to access Eyes Only. This is more secure but slower if you open Eyes Only frequently.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is forgetting that Eyes Only settings are in the Settings app, not in Notes itself. Many people look for a password change option inside the Notes app and can't find it. The password controls are only in Settings under Notes.

Another mistake is assuming you can reset a forgotten Eyes Only password through iCloud or your Apple ID. You cannot. Eyes Only passwords are stored only on your device, not in iCloud. If you forget it, deletion is your only option.

A third mistake is creating a password that's too similar to your Apple ID password or other passwords you use. Eyes Only is meant to be an extra layer of privacy, so use something distinct. Write it down somewhere safe if you're worried about forgetting it — a physical notebook or a password manager that's not on your iPhone.

Eyes Only password versus other iPhone security

Your Eyes Only password is completely separate from your iPhone passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, and Apple ID password. Changing one does not affect the others. Someone who knows your iPhone passcode cannot access Eyes Only notes without the Eyes Only password. Someone who knows your Apple ID password cannot access Eyes Only either.

This separation is intentional. Eyes Only is designed to protect specific notes from people who have physical access to your phone. If you share your iPhone with family members or coworkers, Eyes Only lets you keep certain notes private even though they can unlock the phone itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same password for Eyes Only as my iPhone passcode?

Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose of Eyes Only. If someone knows your iPhone passcode, they can unlock your phone and then use that same password to access Eyes Only. The whole point is to have an additional layer of protection for sensitive notes. Use a different password.

What happens to Eyes Only notes if I upgrade to a new iPhone?

Eyes Only notes sync through iCloud if you have iCloud Notes turned on in Settings. When you set up your new iPhone and sign in with the same Apple ID, your Eyes Only folder and notes will appear — but you'll need to enter your Eyes Only password to unlock them. The password itself does not sync; it stays on each device separately.

Can I change my Eyes Only password from my iPad or Mac?

No. Eyes Only settings are only available on iPhone. If you use Notes on an iPad or Mac, you can view Eyes Only notes if you've already unlocked them on your iPhone, but you cannot change the password from those devices. You must use your iPhone to modify Eyes Only settings.

Is Eyes Only password stored in iCloud Keychain?

No. Your Eyes Only password is stored only on your iPhone, not in iCloud Keychain or anywhere else. This is why there's no recovery option if you forget it. Apple intentionally keeps Eyes Only passwords local to your device for maximum privacy.

Can I have different Eyes Only passwords on different devices?

Yes. If you have multiple iPhones or an iPad, each device can have its own Eyes Only password. They don't sync across devices. You would need to set up and remember a separate password for each device where you use Eyes Only.

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.