How to Change Your iPhone Passcode

Changing your iPhone passcode replaces the code used to unlock the device and approve certain security-related actions. It does not change your Apple Account password, your SIM PIN, or a passcode for an individual app. Before you begin, make sure you know the current iPhone passcode; Apple generally requires it to authorize the change.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone, with enough battery to complete the change.
The current passcode used to unlock the iPhone.
A new passcode you can remember but other people are unlikely to guess.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Unlock your iPhone and tap the Settings app. If you cannot unlock the phone because you have forgotten its passcode, skip to Troubleshooting; this change process requires the existing code.
Open the passcode settings. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode on iPhones with Face ID, or Touch ID & Passcode on models with a Home button and Touch ID. The menu name or location may differ slightly by iOS version and model.
Authenticate with your current passcode. Enter the code you currently use to unlock the iPhone when prompted. This verifies that you are authorized to change the setting.
Choose Change Passcode. Scroll if needed, then tap Change Passcode. Enter your current passcode again if the phone asks you to confirm it.
Enter and confirm the new code. Type the new passcode, then enter it again to confirm. By default, iPhone may offer a six-digit numeric code. Tap Passcode Options on the entry screen if you want a different supported format, such as a four-digit numeric code, a custom numeric code, or a custom alphanumeric code. Available options can vary by software version.
Check that the new code works. Lock the iPhone, then unlock it with the new passcode. Keep the phone with you and make sure you can enter the code correctly before relying on it.

Once the change is complete, the old passcode will no longer unlock the iPhone. Face ID or Touch ID can still be used where enabled, but the device will sometimes require the passcode for security, such as after a restart.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the passcode with an account password. The iPhone passcode unlocks the device. Your Apple Account password is used for Apple services and is changed through account settings, not the Change Passcode screen.
Choosing a code that is easy to guess. Avoid obvious sequences, repeated digits, birthdays, or codes you use elsewhere. A longer custom numeric or alphanumeric code can be harder to guess, though it should still be something you can enter accurately.
Forgetting to confirm the new code. The phone asks you to type the new passcode a second time. If the entries do not match, the change will not finish; carefully re-enter the code you intended to set.
Expecting biometrics to replace the passcode. Face ID and Touch ID are convenient unlock methods, but they do not remove the passcode requirement. You still need the code for certain security checks.
Trying to change it without the current code. The normal Settings process is not a way to recover a forgotten passcode. Repeated guesses can lead to a security lockout, so stop guessing if you are unsure.

Tips

Choose a passcode that is private and memorable, and do not share it with people who should not have access to your phone.
If you use a longer code, enter it carefully and confirm it before locking the phone. A code that is difficult to remember can make it harder to access your device.
Do not write the passcode on a note kept with the iPhone. If you use a secure password manager, check whether it is appropriate for storing a device passcode.
When the new code is accepted, test it promptly. This helps catch a typing or memory mistake while you are still holding the unlocked device.
Menu names and layouts can vary slightly by iPhone model and iOS version. If a path does not match your screen, use Settings search for “passcode” or look for the Face ID or Touch ID passcode menu.

Troubleshooting

Settings asks for a passcode I do not recognize

It is asking for the current device passcode, not your Apple Account password, email password, or SIM PIN. Think about whether you previously changed the unlock code. Avoid repeated guesses; if you cannot remember it, follow Apple’s official forgotten-passcode instructions. Regaining access can require erasing the iPhone and restoring it from a backup, if one is available.

I do not see Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode

Check that you are in the iPhone’s Settings app, not an app’s own settings, and look for the passcode option using Settings search. The wording and location may differ slightly across models and iOS versions. If the phone is managed by a workplace or school, an administrator may control some passcode requirements.

Change Passcode is unavailable or the change will not complete

Make sure you have entered the current passcode correctly and that you are following the prompts in order. If a work or school management profile is present, its security policy may restrict which passcodes are allowed. Contact the organization’s device administrator for help rather than trying to bypass its controls.

I changed the code but Face ID or Touch ID is not unlocking the phone

Enter the new passcode once. iPhone may require the passcode before biometric unlocking is available again, including after a restart or other security checks. If biometrics continue not to work, check their settings under Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iPhone passcode if I forgot the current one?

No. The standard Settings process requires the current passcode. Use Apple’s official instructions for a forgotten passcode; restoring access may require erasing the device, so check for a backup if possible.

Does changing the passcode change my Apple Account password?

No. They are separate credentials. Changing the device passcode does not change the password used to sign in to your Apple Account.

Can I use four digits instead of six?

On the new-code screen, tap Passcode Options and check which formats your iPhone offers. A four-digit numeric code may be available, but a longer code is generally less predictable.

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

They can still work if enabled. You may need to enter the new passcode first, especially after a restart or when iPhone requests it for security.

Does the old passcode still work after I change it?

The old code stops being the passcode for unlocking your iPhone. Use the new code for future passcode prompts.

Is changing the iPhone passcode the same as changing a SIM PIN?

No. The device passcode unlocks the iPhone; a SIM PIN protects access to a SIM. Changing one does not change the other.

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