You should always secure your Apple device with Touch ID or Face ID, but a passcode remains an essential way of safeguarding your iPhone or iPad. Even with biometric authentication, you still need to enter a passcode when restarting your phone. And if Touch ID or Face ID ever fails, or your device is ever lost or stolen, a passcode becomes your default form of protection.
Passcodes used to be limited to just four numbers, and many iPhone and iPad owners likely still use that format. However, those four numbers don't provide the best level of security. A numeric passcode with six or more digits or an alphanumeric passcode with letters, numbers, and special characters will make your device more secure.
How to Make Your Passcode More Secure
Let's say you currently have a four-digit numeric passcode and want to change it to something stronger. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode for devices with a Home button). Enter your current passcode, tap Change Passcode, and enter your current passcode again.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)At the window to enter your new passcode, tap Passcode Options. You can then switch your passcode among 4-Digit Numeric Code, 6-Digit Numeric Code, Custom Numeric Code, and Custom Alphanumeric Code. Make your choice, then type your new passcode. When finished, tap Next and then type your new passcode again to verify it. Tap Done.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)Which Passcode Option Is Most Secure?
But which passcode option is most secure? A four-digit code results in 10,000 possible combinations, while a six-digit one yields one million. This would make a six-digit code much stronger (and harder to guess) than a four-digit one. However, a custom alphanumeric or numeric code will give you an even greater level of security.
For example, an eight-digit numeric code would have 100 million possible combinations, while a 10-digit numeric code would have 10 billion combinations. For this reason, an alphanumeric code with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters results in significantly higher security. (Just make sure it's a password you'll remember.)
Remove Your Old Passcode
By default, your old passcode will remain valid for the next eight hours (just in case you forget your new one). For extra security, you can remove the previous passcode before the deadline is up. To do this, head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode and tap the Expire Previous Passcode Now link. Tap Expire Now to remove the old passcode immediately.
(Credit: PCMag / Apple)How to Unlock an iPhone Without a Passcode
Can you change the passcode on your iPhone or iPad if you forget it? Yes, sort of. But you’d typically have to erase and restore your device, which can be a headache. That’s why you’ll want to choose a passcode that’s secure yet still easy enough to remember.
Still, you should back up your phone or tablet on a regular basis to preserve all your apps, data, and settings. Then, if you're ever locked out of your device, you can erase and restore it via recovery mode.