Set a unique device passcode or password

For better security, set a passcode that needs to be entered to unlock iPhone or iPad when you turn it on or wake it. Setting a passcode also turns on data protection, which encrypts your iPhone or iPad data so that only someone who knows the passcode can access it.

• Go to Settings , then do one of the following:

  • On your iPhone or iPad with Face ID: Tap Face ID & Passcode, then tap Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode.

  • On your iPhone or iPad with a Home button: Tap Touch ID & Passcode, then tap Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode.

  To view options for creating a password, tap Passcode Options. Passcodes default to six digits, but options range from the least secure, four-digit, to most secure (alphanumeric).

If you’re concerned someone has access to your passcode and you want to secure your iPhone, you can change the passcode to protect your privacy and expire the previous passcode. To change your passcode, follow the steps below.

1. Go to Settings , then do one of the following:

   • On your iPhone or iPad with Face ID: Tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.

   • On your iPhone or iPad with a Home button: Tap Touch ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.

2. Tap Change Passcode, enter your current passcode.

3. If you want extra security, tap Passcode Options to select the format for your future passcode.

   Available formats include a four-digit numeric code, six-digit numeric code, custom alphanumeric code, or custom numeric code.

4. Enter your new passcode twice.

   IMPORTANT: After changing your passcode in iOS 17 or iPadOS 17, you can use your old passcode to reset your passcode for 72 hours. This is to protect against accidentally forgetting the new passcode. If you want to completely deactivate your old passcode after changing it, tap Expire Previous Passcode Now on the Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) page in Settings.

If you’re concerned someone has access to your password and you want to secure your Mac, you can change the user password to protect your privacy.

1. Do one of the following:

   • On your Mac with macOS 13 or later: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Users & Groups in the sidebar, then click .

   • On your Mac with macOS 12 or earlier: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Users & Groups in the sidebar.

2. Click Change Password.

3. Enter your current password in the Old Password field.

4. Enter your new password in the New Password field, then enter it again in the Verify field.

   For help choosing a secure password, click next to the New Password field.

5. Enter a hint to help you remember the password.

   The hint appears if you enter the wrong password three consecutive times or if you click the question mark in the password field in the login window.

6. Click Change Password.

To further increase personal privacy, you can set your device up to automatically lock under certain conditions.

• iPhone, iPad: Go to Setting > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock, then set a length of time.

• Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Lock Screen in the sidebar, then set a length of time.

  For more information, see Change Lock Screen settings on Mac in the Mac User Guide.

• Apple Watch: Open the Settings app, tap Passcode, then turn Wrist Detection on or off.

  For more information, see Lock automatically in the Apple Watch User Guide.