Setting up a passcode on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is an important part of protecting your data. Each time you turn on or wake up your device, it will ask you for your passcode before you can use the device. If your device supports Touch ID, you can use your fingerprint instead of a passcode.

Use your passcode

You'll need to enter your passcode whenever you:

• Turn on or restart your device
• Slide to unlock the screen (You can adjust the time before the passcode is required.)
• Update your software
• Erase your device

Set up your passcode

To set up a passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (iPhone 5s) or Settings > Passcode (other models) and tap Turn Passcode On.

Change your passcode or passcode settings

To change your passcode or your passcode settings, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode (iPhone 5s) or Settings > Passcode (other models). On iOS 7.0.6 or earlier, look under Settings > General for these settings.

Here's what you can do:

• Change or turn off your passcode.
• Require Passcode: Set how long after sleep a passcode is required. By default this is set to immediate, but you can set this to longer times.
• Simple Passcode: Turn off Simple Passcode to set a passcode longer than four digits. Longer passcodes can include letters and symbols as well as numbers.
• Allow Access When Device Locked: Allow access to some features when your device is locked, including Voice Dial, Siri, and Control Center.
• Erase Data: Choose to erase your device automatically after ten failed passcode attempts.

Can’t turn off your passcode or change passcode settings?

If you can't turn off or change your passcode settings or these settings are grey or dimmed out, you might be:

• Using Touch ID, which requires a passcode.
• Using a configuration profile that requires a passcode. This is common with business or education devices. Contact your IT administrator for more information.

Forget your passcode?

If you or someone else enters the wrong passcode too many times, your device will disable itself temporarily. Get help if you forgot your passcode or your device is disabled.

Learn what to do if you forgot your Restrictions passcode.