Open Settings and find the passcode menu

To change your iPad passcode, start by opening the Settings app — the gray icon with gears that sits on your home screen. Tap it, then look for Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode depending on your iPad model. You'll see this option in the left sidebar under "Privacy & Security."

When you tap it, the system will ask you to enter your current passcode before letting you make changes. This is a security step — it confirms you own the device before allowing access to passcode settings. Have your current passcode ready before you begin, because you'll need it to proceed.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before you can change it, so have it ready or use your Apple ID to reset it if you've forgotten it.
  • The passcode menu is in Settings under Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on your iPad model.
  • You can choose between a 6-digit code, 4-digit code, or custom alphanumeric passcode when you set a new one.
  • If you forget your new passcode immediately after setting it, you'll need to erase your iPad and restore it from a backup using your Apple ID.

Enter your current passcode

When the Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode screen opens, you'll see a field asking for your current passcode. Type it in carefully — if you enter it wrong three times, the system will lock you out temporarily and ask you to try again in 60 seconds. The lock-out period gets longer with each failed attempt, so take your time and make sure you're entering the code correctly.

If you've forgotten your current passcode entirely, you cannot change it from this menu. Instead, you'll need to erase your iPad and set it up again using your Apple ID and password. This is intentional — it prevents someone else from changing your passcode without your permission. The erasing process takes about an hour and requires you to restore from a backup afterward.

Tap "Change Passcode"

Once you've entered your current passcode correctly, the menu expands to show more options. Look for the button labeled Change Passcode and tap it. The system will ask you to enter your current passcode one more time as a final confirmation before you can proceed to creating a new one.

After you confirm, you'll move to the screen where you create your new passcode. This is where you decide what type of code you want to use and what numbers or characters it will contain. The confirmation step exists to make sure you really want to change your passcode and aren't doing it by accident.

Choose your passcode type and enter the new code

iPad gives you three passcode options. The default is a 6-digit numeric code — six numbers you tap in order. You can also choose a 4-digit numeric code if you prefer something shorter and easier to remember, though it's less secure. The third option is a custom alphanumeric passcode, which can include letters, numbers, and symbols, making it the most secure but also the hardest to type.

Tap the option you want, then enter your new passcode twice. The system requires you to type it twice so it can confirm you didn't make a typo. If the two entries don't match, it will ask you to try again. Write down your new passcode somewhere safe before you finish, in case you need to reference it later.

Confirm the change is complete

Once you've entered your new passcode twice and they match, the system saves it immediately. You'll return to the Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode menu, and the change is done. Your old passcode no longer works — only the new one will unlock your iPad from this point forward.

Test your new passcode right away by locking your iPad and unlocking it with the code you just set. Press the power button to lock the screen, then unlock it using your new passcode. This catches any typos before you forget what you intended to type, and it gives you confidence that the change worked correctly.

What to do if you forget your new passcode right after changing it

If you change your passcode and immediately forget what you entered, you cannot retrieve it. iPad does not store passcodes in a way that lets you recover them or have them sent to you. Your only option is to erase your iPad completely and set it up again using your Apple ID credentials.

To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. You'll need your Apple ID and password to complete the process. After erasing, you can restore your data from an iCloud backup or set up as a new device. This process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have stored on your iPad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passcode I used before?

Yes. iPad does not prevent you from reusing an old passcode. However, if you're changing your passcode because you think someone else knows it, choose something completely different to ensure your device stays secure.

What happens if I enter the wrong passcode too many times?

After three wrong attempts, your iPad locks for 60 seconds. After six wrong attempts, it locks for 5 minutes. After ten wrong attempts, it locks for 15 minutes or longer. If you reach 15 failed attempts, your iPad will erase itself automatically if you have that setting turned on.

Do I need to change my passcode regularly?

No. Apple does not recommend changing your passcode on a schedule. Change it only if you think someone knows it, if you've used it on a device you no longer trust, or if you want to update it for security reasons.

Can I use Face ID or Touch ID instead of a passcode?

Face ID and Touch ID work alongside your passcode, not instead of it. Your iPad still needs a passcode as a backup in case biometric recognition fails or you need to unlock it remotely.

Will changing my passcode affect my Apple ID password?

No. Your iPad passcode and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into your account across Apple services and devices.