How to Change an iPhone Passcode

Changing your iPhone passcode replaces the code used to unlock the device and approve certain security-sensitive actions. Have your current passcode ready, and choose a replacement you can remember but other people cannot easily guess. Menu names can vary slightly by iPhone model and iOS version.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone, powered on and available to unlock.
Your current iPhone passcode. Face ID or Touch ID alone is not enough to change it through Settings.
A new passcode you can enter accurately. You can use the default six-digit format or select another format during setup.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Find and tap the gray Settings app on your Home Screen or in the App Library.
Open passcode settings. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode on an iPhone with Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode on a model with a Home button. The label may differ slightly by model or iOS version.
Enter your current passcode. Type the code you use to unlock the iPhone. This confirms that you are authorized to change the setting.
Choose Change Passcode. Scroll if needed, tap Change Passcode, and enter your current passcode again if prompted.
Select a format if you want to. The new-code screen normally asks for a six-digit code. Tap Passcode Options to choose a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code. Options can vary with device settings and software version.
Enter and confirm the new code. Type your chosen passcode, then enter it again to verify. If the iPhone says the code is too easy to guess, choose a less predictable one. Wait for the settings screen to return before locking and testing the phone with the new code.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong existing code: The screen requires the iPhone’s current device passcode, not your Apple Account password, SIM PIN, or Screen Time passcode.
Forgetting the new code immediately: Do not pick a code solely because it is quick to type. Avoid obvious sequences, repeated digits, birthdays, and codes you use elsewhere.
Not confirming the code: Enter the new passcode a second time exactly as requested. If the entries do not match, the change will not complete.
Assuming a restart keeps Face ID or Touch ID available: After restarting, iPhone requires the passcode before biometric unlocking can be used again. This is expected behavior.
Confusing the device code with other passwords: Changing this passcode does not automatically change your Apple Account password, email password, or SIM PIN.

Tips

Choose a code that is hard to infer from information someone might know about you. A custom numeric or alphanumeric code can provide more combinations, but only use one you can reliably remember.
Do not share your passcode or leave it written where other people can find it. A passcode protects access to the device and can authorize access to personal information.
If you use Face ID or Touch ID, changing the passcode does not normally require setting up your face or fingerprints again. You will still need the code after a restart and in other situations when iPhone requests it.
For an extra check, lock the iPhone after the change and unlock it with the new code. Make sure you can enter it before relying on Face ID or Touch ID.
Apple provides a limited period in some iOS versions to use the previous passcode to reset a newly changed one if you forget it. This is not a substitute for remembering your new code; the option and availability depend on the device and software version.

Troubleshooting

You cannot remember the current passcode: Settings will not let you change the code without it. Face ID or Touch ID does not replace the current passcode for this task. If you have just changed the passcode and your iPhone offers an option to use the previous one, follow the on-screen instructions promptly. Otherwise, Apple’s recovery process may require erasing the iPhone and setting it up again. Erasing removes data that is not backed up, so check Apple’s current recovery guidance before proceeding. Do not keep guessing: repeated incorrect attempts can lock the device.

Settings shows “Change Passcode” as unavailable: Check whether a device management profile or organization policy controls passcode settings, particularly on a work or school iPhone. Contact the organization’s administrator rather than trying to remove management controls.

The new code is rejected or the screen returns: Make sure both entries match and that you completed any confirmation prompt. Tap Passcode Options if you need a different code format. If the Settings screen is unresponsive, close and reopen Settings, then try again; menu wording may differ slightly by iOS version.

You changed it but Face ID or Touch ID does not unlock the phone: Enter the new passcode once. Biometric unlocking may be unavailable until the passcode is entered after a restart or for certain security checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPhone passcode without knowing the current one?

Not through Settings. If you cannot remember it, use Apple’s official passcode recovery instructions. Recovery may require erasing the iPhone, which can remove data that is not backed up.

Can I use a four-digit passcode?

Yes. During the change, tap Passcode Options and select a four-digit numeric code if that option appears. A longer or less predictable code is harder to guess.

Does changing my passcode change my Apple Account password?

No. The iPhone passcode unlocks the device; your Apple Account password is a separate credential and must be changed separately.

Will Face ID or Touch ID stop working after I change the code?

Changing the passcode does not usually remove your saved face or fingerprints. You may need to enter the new passcode after a restart or when iPhone requests it before using biometrics again.

What if I forget the new passcode?

If the iPhone offers the previous-passcode reset option, follow its prompts and timing requirements. Otherwise, use Apple’s recovery steps; the process may erase the device, so a backup matters.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.