Open Settings and find the passcode menu

To change your iPhone 13 passcode, start by opening the Settings app — the grey gear icon on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode if you use fingerprint unlock instead). The system will ask you to enter your current passcode before it shows you the options.

If you have forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it from this menu. You will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again, which requires your Apple ID password. That process is separate and covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enter your current passcode before you can change it — Settings will not let you proceed without it.
  • The passcode menu is under Face ID & Passcode in Settings, not under a separate security section.
  • You can choose between a 6-digit code, a 4-digit code, or a custom alphanumeric code with letters and numbers.
  • If you forget your passcode, you must erase your iPhone and restore it using your Apple ID, which takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Tap "Change Passcode" and enter your current code

Once you are in the Face ID & Passcode menu, look for the option that says Change Passcode near the top of the screen. Tap it. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your current passcode — this is a security step to make sure you are the person who owns the phone.

Type in your current passcode using the number pad that appears. If you enter it incorrectly, you will see an error message and can try again. You have unlimited attempts at this stage.

Choose your new passcode type

After you enter your current passcode correctly, your iPhone will ask what kind of passcode you want to use. You have three options: 6-Digit Numeric Code (the default and most common), 4-Digit Numeric Code (shorter but less secure), or Custom Alphanumeric Code (letters and numbers mixed together, the most secure).

Most people stick with the 6-digit option because it balances security with ease of use. If you choose a custom code, you can include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and spaces. There is no length limit, though longer codes are harder to remember and type in.

Enter your new passcode twice

Once you choose the type, your iPhone will show you a text field where you type your new passcode. Enter it once, then tap Next. The phone will ask you to enter it again to confirm — this prevents typos from locking you out.

If the two entries do not match, you will see an error and can try again. If they do match, your new passcode takes effect immediately. You do not need to restart your phone or do anything else.

What to do if you forget your passcode

If you cannot remember your current passcode and cannot change it through Settings, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again. This is the only way forward, and it requires your Apple ID email address and password.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will ask for your Apple ID password before it erases. After the erase completes, you will go through the setup process again and can create a new passcode. The whole process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Passcode requirements and what you should know

Your passcode must be at least 4 digits or characters long, but Apple recommends 6 digits as the minimum. You cannot use a passcode that is too simple — for example, "000000" or "123456" — because the system will reject it and ask you to choose something different.

Your passcode is separate from your Apple ID password. Changing your passcode does not change your Apple ID password, and you do not need to update anything else on your phone. If you use Face ID or Touch ID, your passcode is still your backup unlock method if biometric unlock fails or is not available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my passcode without entering the old one?

No. Settings requires you to enter your current passcode before you can change it. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from changing your code if they get hold of your phone. If you forget your current passcode, you must erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID.

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

When you are unlocking your phone normally, repeated wrong entries trigger a lockout — first 1 minute, then 5 minutes, then 15 minutes, and eventually up to several hours. When you are changing your passcode in Settings, there is no lockout; you can try as many times as you need. The lockout only applies to unlocking the phone itself.

Is a 4-digit passcode less secure than a 6-digit one?

Yes. A 4-digit code has 10,000 possible combinations; a 6-digit code has 1 million. A 4-digit code is faster to type but easier to guess or crack. Most security experts recommend using at least 6 digits unless you have a strong reason to use fewer.

Do I need to tell Face ID or Touch ID about my new passcode?

No. Face ID and Touch ID work independently of your passcode. Changing your passcode does not affect biometric unlock at all. Your new passcode is only used as a backup if Face ID or Touch ID fails or is turned off.

Can I change my passcode from my computer or iCloud?

No. You must change your passcode directly on your iPhone using the Settings app. There is no way to do it remotely or from another device. If you cannot access your iPhone, you will need to erase it and set it up again.