Open Settings and find the password option

To change your iPhone password, start by opening the Settings app — the gray icon with gears that sits on your home screen. Tap it, then scroll down until you see "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode," depending on which model iPhone you have. You'll need to enter your current passcode to proceed.

Once you've entered your current passcode, the screen will show you options to change it. Look for the button that says "Change Passcode" — this is what you'll tap to set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone password is called a passcode and lives in Settings under "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode."
  • You must enter your current passcode before you can create a new one.
  • iPhone passcodes are typically six digits by default, but you can choose four digits, six digits, or a custom alphanumeric code.
  • If you forget your new passcode immediately after setting it, you'll need to use your Apple ID to reset your iPhone.
  • Changing your passcode does not affect your Apple ID password or any other passwords on your phone.

Enter your current passcode first

When you tap "Change Passcode," the phone will ask you to enter the passcode you're using right now. This is a security step — it confirms that you're the person who owns the phone. Type in your current six-digit code (or whatever length you set it to) and tap "Next."

If you enter the wrong passcode three times, the phone will lock you out for a few seconds before letting you try again. If you've forgotten your current passcode entirely, you cannot change it through Settings — you'll need to erase and set up your iPhone again using your Apple ID.

Choose your new passcode format

After you've entered your current passcode, the phone asks what kind of new passcode you want. You have three choices: a six-digit code (the default), a four-digit code, or a custom alphanumeric passcode that can include letters and numbers. Most people stick with six digits because it's a balance between security and ease of use.

If you choose "Custom Alphanumeric Code," you can make your passcode as long and complex as you want — for example, "BlueMountain42!" — but you'll have to type it in every time you unlock your phone. If you choose four digits, your phone is less secure but faster to unlock. Think about what matters more to you before you decide.

Type your new passcode twice

Once you've chosen your format, the phone will ask you to type your new passcode. Enter it carefully — you won't see the numbers or letters as you type them; they'll show as dots for security. After you finish, tap "Next."

The phone will then ask you to enter the same passcode again to confirm it. This prevents you from locking yourself out by mistyping. If the two entries don't match, the phone will tell you and ask you to try again. Once they match, your new passcode is set.

What happens if you forget your new passcode

If you forget your new passcode right after you set it, you cannot simply change it again — the phone will ask for your current passcode first, which you no longer remember. At this point, your only option is to erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID and password.

To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm. After it erases, you'll go through the setup process again and can create a new passcode. This takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Passcode versus Apple ID password

Your iPhone passcode and your Apple ID password are two separate things. Changing your passcode does not change your Apple ID password, and vice versa. Your passcode unlocks your phone; your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services.

If you need to change your Apple ID password instead, you'll do that through Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. That's a different process and requires your current Apple ID password or a recovery key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same passcode I used before?

Yes. The phone will let you reuse an old passcode if you want to, though there's no security reason to do so. If you're changing your passcode because you think someone knows it, pick something completely new.

What if I keep getting locked out after too many wrong attempts?

After six wrong passcode entries, your iPhone will disable for 1 minute. After the tenth wrong entry, it disables for 5 minutes. After the fifteenth, it disables for 15 minutes or longer. If you've truly forgotten your passcode, you'll need to erase your phone using your Apple ID.

Does changing my passcode affect Face ID or Touch ID?

No. Your passcode and your biometric unlock (Face ID or Touch ID) are separate. Changing your passcode doesn't affect either one. You'll still unlock with your face or fingerprint, and your passcode remains your backup unlock method.

Can I set a passcode with no numbers, just letters?

Only if you choose "Custom Alphanumeric Code." With that option, you can use any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The default six-digit and four-digit options require numbers only.