To change the passcode on an iPhone 14, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your current passcode, tap Change Passcode, enter the old passcode once more, then type your new one twice. The steps are the same on every iPhone with Face ID running a current version of iOS. On iPhones with a Home button, the menu is called Touch ID & Passcode.
Step-by-step: change your iPhone passcode
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your current passcode.
- Scroll down and tap Change Passcode.
- Enter your current passcode again.
- Type the new passcode. To use a different kind, tap Passcode Options first (see below).
- Enter the new passcode again to confirm.
Your iPhone may ask for your Apple Account password afterward to update iCloud Keychain and other protected data. This is normal.
Choose the type of passcode
Tap Passcode Options on the new-passcode screen to pick one of these:
| Option | What it is | Security |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Digit Numeric Code | The default | Good for most people |
| 4-Digit Numeric Code | Shorter and faster to type | Easier to guess or watch over your shoulder |
| Custom Numeric Code | Any number of digits | Stronger with 8 or more digits |
| Custom Alphanumeric Code | Letters, numbers and symbols | Strongest |
Avoid obvious choices such as 123456, 000000, your birthday or the last digits of your phone number.
If Stolen Device Protection is on
Stolen Device Protection adds extra checks when your iPhone is away from familiar places like home or work. Changing the passcode then requires Face ID, and you may need to wait through a one-hour Security Delay and scan your face again before the change goes through. At a familiar location, the change happens right away.
You can check or change this setting further down the same Face ID & Passcode screen.
Forgot the new passcode? Use the old one for 72 hours
On iOS 17 and later, your previous passcode keeps working for 72 hours after you change it, in case you forget the new one.
- On the Lock Screen, enter a wrong passcode until Forgot Passcode? appears in the corner.
- Tap it, then Enter Previous Passcode.
- Type the old passcode and follow the steps to set a new one.
If you’re sure you’ll remember the new passcode, you can end that window early. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Expire Previous Passcode Now. Do this if you think someone else may know your old passcode.
If you’ve forgotten both passcodes
Without a passcode, the only option is to erase the iPhone and set it up again from a backup. After several wrong attempts, tap Forgot Passcode? on the Lock Screen, then Start iPhone Reset, and sign in with your Apple Account password. Anything not backed up to iCloud or a computer will be lost. For other ways to erase it, see how to factory reset an iPhone 14.
Tips for a passcode you’ll remember
- Use a short phrase or the first letters of a sentence you know well with Custom Alphanumeric Code.
- Type the new passcode a few times on the first day so it becomes habit.
- Keep Face ID set up so you only type the passcode occasionally.
- Store a hint somewhere safe and separate from the phone, not in the Notes app on the same iPhone.
Other settings on the Face ID & Passcode screen
While you’re on this screen, it’s worth checking the other options, since they decide how well the new passcode protects you.
Allow Access When Locked
This list controls what works without unlocking: Notification Center, Control Center, Siri, Wallet, Reply with Message, Home Control, Return Missed Calls and USB Accessories. Turning off Control Center and USB Accessories makes it harder for a thief to put the phone in Airplane Mode or connect it to a computer. Leave on anything you rely on, such as replying from the Lock Screen.
Erase Data
With Erase Data on, your iPhone erases everything after 10 wrong passcode attempts. It’s strong protection if the phone is stolen, but only turn it on if you have a recent backup and nobody else, such as a child, is likely to keep guessing.
Face ID settings
Use Face ID for unlocking, the App Store, Wallet and AutoFill from the toggles at the top. Set Up an Alternate Appearance helps if you often wear something that changes how you look, and Face ID with a Mask lets it work while you wear a face mask.
Change the passcode on other Apple devices
- iPad: the steps are the same. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on the model.
- iPhone with a Home button: Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Change Passcode.
- Apple Watch: open the Settings app on the watch, tap Passcode, then Change Passcode. Or use the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Mac: the login password is changed under System Settings > Users & Groups. It’s separate from the iPhone passcode.
What the passcode protects
Your iPhone passcode does more than unlock the screen. It encrypts the data stored on the phone, and it’s required to change your Apple Account password from the phone, turn off Find My, see saved passwords and set up Apple Pay on a new card. That’s why a longer passcode is worth the extra second it takes to type, and why you should never share it with someone you wouldn’t trust with your accounts.
Troubleshooting
Change Passcode is greyed out or missing
A work or school management profile may control the passcode. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If there’s a profile, its rules decide what passcodes are allowed, and your organization’s IT team can help.
“Passcode requirements” message
A management profile or Screen Time setting requires a certain length or type. Choose a passcode that meets the rule shown.
Face ID stopped working after the change
Your iPhone asks for the passcode once after a change and after a restart. Enter it, and Face ID works again. If it still fails, see Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing my passcode change my Apple Account password?
No. They’re separate. Your Apple Account password is changed under Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security.
Can I turn the passcode off instead?
You can, but it turns off Face ID, Apple Pay and data protection too. See how to turn off the passcode on iPhone for what you give up.
Will my Apple Watch need the new passcode?
No. Apple Watch has its own passcode. If Unlock with iPhone is on, unlocking the iPhone with the new passcode still unlocks the watch.
How often should I change it?
There’s no need to change it on a schedule. Change it if someone may have seen it or if you’ve shared it and no longer want that person to have access.
Can someone else change my passcode?
Only if they know your current passcode and can get past Face ID. If you think someone has seen your passcode, change it right away, tap Expire Previous Passcode Now, and turn on Stolen Device Protection so a future change needs your face as well.
Summary
- Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
- Tap Change Passcode and enter the old passcode.
- Choose a type in Passcode Options and enter the new passcode twice.
- Use Forgot Passcode? and your previous passcode within 72 hours if you forget it.
Related: how to set up Face ID on iPhone 15.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.