How to set a stronger iPhone passcode

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
You will need
iPhone running iOS 15 or later

Step by step

  1. 30 sec

    Open Face ID or Touch ID settings

    Launch the Settings app from your Home Screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on your device model.

  2. 15 sec

    Enter current credentials

    Input your existing 6-digit or 4-digit passcode when prompted. Access to this menu is restricted to authorized users.

  3. 15 sec

    Initiate passcode change

    Locate and tap Change Passcode in the list of options. This triggers the secure input interface for your new security key.

  4. 15 sec

    Enter your old passcode again

    Input your current passcode one more time to verify your identity. The screen will transition to the new passcode setup page.

  5. 1 min

    Select passcode options

    Tap Passcode Options located just above the numeric keypad. Select Custom Alphanumeric Code to enable the use of letters, numbers, and symbols.

    Note: Choosing a longer, mixed-character password increases resistance to brute-force attacks.
  6. 1 min

    Set the new passcode

    Type your desired alphanumeric passcode and tap Next in the top right corner. Re-enter the same passcode to confirm and tap Done.

    Note: Ensure you save this password in a secure vault, as iOS cannot recover it if forgotten.