Set a Passcode on the iPad

Setting a passcode on an iPad is the easiest way to protect your sensitive information, such as email accounts and credit card numbers, from unauthorized access. You can create a simple numerical passcode or an advanced multi-character passcode through the "Settings" menu. You can also create a touch ID on supported iPads.

Steps

Setting a Simple Passcode

  1. Swipe right on your iPad's screen to unlock it. Once you enable your passcode, this is the screen on which you'll enter it.
  2. Open your "Settings" app. This is the grey gear app on your home screen.
  3. Scroll until you find the "Passcode" option, then tap it. If this is your first time enabling a passcode, "Turn Passcode On" will be the only selectable option.
    • If your iPad supports Touch ID, this option will be called "Touch ID & Passcode".
  4. Tap "Turn Passcode On". Your iPad will prompt you for your desired 6-digit passcode.[1]
  5. Enter a passcode of your choosing. You'll need to enter it again exactly the same way on the next screen to verify.
  6. Confirm your passcode by typing it in again. If both your new passcodes match each other, you'll be taken back to the "Passcode Lock" screen.
  7. Press your lock button to lock your iPad. You still need to confirm that your passcode is active.
  8. Swipe right on your iPad's screen, then enter your passcode. Your iPad is now passcode-protected!
    • You can change or remove your passcode at any time in the "Passcode" menu.

Setting a Touch ID Passcode

  1. Swipe right on your iPad's screen. You'll need to have a passcode set in order to create a Touch ID passcode.[2]
  2. Enter your passcode.
  3. Open your "Settings" app. This is the grey gear app on your home screen.
  4. Find the "Touch ID & Passcode" tab and tap it. The "Touch ID" section will only appear for iPads with a Touch ID-enabled home button.
  5. Enter your passcode again. This will open the Passcode settings, from which you can set a new Touch ID.
  6. Tap "Add a Fingerprint".
  7. Touch the center portion of your chosen finger to the home button. Make sure you aren't pressing the home button--you only need to lightly touch it.
  8. When your iPad vibrates, lift your finger off of the home button. Your iPad may also prompt you to remove your finger with on-screen text.[2]
  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until your iPad moves to the next screen. You will have to scan your finger eight times.[3]
  10. When the "Adjust Your Grip" screen comes up, hold your iPad as you normally would while unlocking it. You'll need to scan different parts of your finger in order to complete the Touch ID process.
  11. Touch the edge of your finger to the home button. The edge you use will vary depending on how you normally tap your home button.
    • For example, if you normally use the outside of your right thumb to tap the home button, you would repeatedly touch that edge to the home button here.
  12. When your iPad vibrates, lift your finger off of the home button.
  13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 until your iPad tells you your fingerprint has been accepted. Your Touch ID is now active!
  14. Lock your iPad. You'll need to verify that your Touch ID works.
  15. Tap the home button once to turn on the screen.
  16. Touch your scanned finger to the home button. This should unlock your iPad after a second or so.
    • If your chosen finger doesn't work, try using a different finger.
    • You can save up to five fingerprints.
    • You can also use your Touch ID to make purchases or verify downloads from the app store.

Setting an Advanced Passcode

  1. Swipe right on your iPad's screen to unlock it. Once you enable your passcode, this is the screen on which you'll enter it.
  2. Open your "Settings" app. This is the grey gear app on your home screen.
  3. Scroll until you find the "Passcode" option, then tap it.
    • If your iPad supports Touch ID, this option will be called "Touch ID & Passcode".
  4. Tap "Turn Passcode On". This will take you to the passcode entry screen.
  5. Tap "Passcode Options" at the bottom of the screen. This gives you three different passcode choices in addition to the standard 6-digit passcode.
    • The "Custom Alphanumeric Code" option allows numbers, letters, and symbols, with no character limit.
    • The "Custom Numeric Code" option allows numbers with no character limit.
    • The "4-Digit Numeric Code" option allows a traditional 4-digit passcode.
  6. Select your preferred option, then enter a passcode of your choosing. You'll need to enter it again exactly the same way on the next screen to verify.
  7. Confirm your passcode by typing it in again. If both your new passcodes match each other, you'll be taken back to the "Passcode Lock" screen.
  8. Press your lock button to lock your iPad. You still need to confirm that your passcode is active.
  9. Swipe right on your iPad's screen, then enter your passcode. Your iPad is now passcode-protected!
    • You can change or remove your passcode at any time in the "Passcode" menu.

Changing an Existing Passcode

  1. Swipe right on your iPad's screen. This will take you to the "Enter Passcode" screen.
  2. Enter your passcode.
  3. Open your "Settings" app. This is the grey gear app on your home screen.
  4. Scroll until you find the "Passcode" option, then tap it. Your iPad will prompt you for your current passcode.
    • If your iPad supports Touch ID, this option will be called "Touch ID & Passcode".
  5. Enter your passcode. This is the same passcode you use to unlock your iPad.
  6. Tap "Change Passcode". Your iPad will prompt you for your current passcode one more time.[1]
  7. Enter your current passcode. This will take you to the "Enter your new passcode" page.
  8. Enter a new passcode of your choosing. You'll need to enter it again exactly the same way on the next screen to verify.
  9. Confirm your passcode by typing it in again. If both your new passcodes match each other, you'll be taken back to the "Passcode Lock" screen.
  10. Press your lock button to lock your iPad. You still need to confirm that your passcode was updated.
  11. Swipe right on your iPad's screen, then enter your passcode. Your passcode is now updated!
    • You can change or remove your passcode at any time in the "Passcode" menu.

Tips

  • Choose a passcode that is easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess (e.g., the last four digits of your Social Security number).
  • Although it's inconvenient to enter a passcode every time you open your iPad, a passcode is the easiest and most reliable way to keep your data safe if your iPad is stolen.
  • Your passcode will also be used to confirm iOS updates and some app downloads.
  • Creating a passcode works the same way on iPads and iPhones.

Warnings

  • The longer your advanced passcode is, the easier it is to forget.

Things You'll Need

  • iPad

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://support.apple.com/en-bn/HT204060
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201371
  3. ↑ http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/iphone/how-use-touch-id-finger-scanning-passcode-3579832/
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