How To Change Your iPhone Passcode

Back in the day before Touch ID and Face ID came to iPhones, Apple relied on passcodes to protect your iPhone. This usually involves a series of numbers that only you would know that would prevent a stranger from unlocking your phone and accessing its contents. In a way, it’s like encrypting your iPhone until you unlock it.

For those who don’t use a passcode, you probably should. While you might argue that there’s nothing on there worth stealing, it’s always a good idea to protect your privacy. That being said, if you’re trying to improve the security on your phone, or maybe you have a passcode that you want to change, here’s what you need to do.

Changing Your iPhone’s Passcode

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode or Tap Touch ID & Passcode
3. If you previously setup a passcode, you’ll need to enter that code to unlock the settings
4. Scroll down and select Change Passcode
5. Enter your old passcode
6. You’ll now be prompted to enter a new 6-digit passcode
7. If you don’t want to use a 6-digit passcode, tap on Passcode Options
8. You can now choose from:
   • Custom Alphanumeric Code – This lets you set a passcode consisting of numbers and letters
   • Custom Numeric Code – This lets you set a numeric passcode whose length might be more than 4 or 6 digits
   • 4-Digit Numeric Code – By default Apple encourages passcodes of at least 6-digits, but this is an option if you think 6-digits is too hard to remember
9. Choose your passcode of choice, enter in the code, and you’re all set

Erase Data After Failed Attempts

So now that your passcode has been set, what if someone got ahold of your iPhone and just keeps trying various combinations to unlock it? Chances are it would take them a very long time unless they know you and your password habits, but you can also set it so that your iPhone will automatically erase all your data once there are 10 failed attempts.

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode or Tap Touch ID & Passcode
3. If you previously setup a passcode, you’ll need to enter that code to unlock the settings
4. Scroll down and turn on Erase Data

Note that the 10 attempts are set by Apple and cannot be changed, presumably to prevent people from setting too low a number and accidentally wiping their phones.

Turn Off Passcode

In case you think it’s too troublesome to use a passcode and you just want to be able to unlock your iPhone quickly and easily, you can always turn passcodes off. This is probably not recommended since it means that anyone can unlock your phone, but it’s your choice at the end of the day

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode or Tap Touch ID & Passcode
3. If you previously setup a passcode, you’ll need to enter that code to unlock the settings
4. Scroll down and tap Turn Passcode Off
5. You’ll have to enter your old passcode to verify yourself, give it a couple of seconds, and you’re done

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: iOS, iPhone, Security