Set a Passcode on an iPhone

This article teaches you how to set a passcode that will be needed to unlock your iPhone and access the information stored on it.

Steps

Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap Touch ID & Passcode. It's next to a red icon that contains a white fingerprint.
- Normally, you would have added a passcode when you initially set up your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Turn Passcode On. It's just below the "FINGERPRINTS" section.
- If you've already enabled Touch ID, you'll be asked if you want to keep or delete the stored fingerprints. Make a selection to proceed.
Tap Passcode Options. It's just above the numeric keypad at the bottom of the screen.
Tap a passcode option. You can choose from four types of passcodes:
- Tap Custom Alphanumeric Code to use a passcode that contains numbers and/or letters and is of a length that you determine.
- Tap Custom Numeric Code to use a numbers-only passcode that's of a length that you determine.
- Tap 6-Digit Numeric Code to use a numbers-only passcode that contains six characters.
- Tap 4-Digit Numeric Code to use a numbers-only passcode that contains four characters.
Enter a passcode. Use the keypad at the bottom of the screen.
Re-enter your passcode. This verifies your passcode.
Enter your Apple ID password. This verifies your identity.
Tap Continue. It's below the password field. You have now added a passcode to your iPhone.

Tap Finger 1. It's at the top of the "FINGERPRINTS" section.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, tapping your finger gently on the Home button until your fingerprint is recorded.
- Repeat this step for as many fingers as you like. You can add fingerprints by tapping Add a Fingerprint at the bottom of the "FINGERPRINTS" section.
- Touch ID is only available on iPhone 6 or newer.
Choose how to use Touch ID. The controls in the "USE TOUCH ID FOR:" section at the top of the screen allow you to enable or disable Touch ID for these functions by sliding them "On" (green) or "Off" (white):
- iPhone Unlock to unlock your phone from the lock screen;
- Apple Pay to use Apple Pay without entering a passcode; and
- iTunes & App Store to make purchases without entering a passcode.

Always select a password that no one will know in case you lose your iPhone.
If you can't think of a password, try setting the password as the current time. For example if it is 12:58, make your password 1258.
Try to make the password in a pattern so that you will be less likely to forget it in the future.