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How to Strengthen Your iPhone's Passcode
It's time to replace that four-digit passcode with something better
By Andy O'Donnell Andy O'Donnell Writer Auburn University Andy O'Donnell, MA, is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a senior security engineer who is active in internet and network security. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 15, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email iPhone & iOS Switching from Android What to know
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Enter your existing passcode.Select Change Passcode and enter a six-digit passcode or select Passcode Options.Options include four-digit (least secure), six-digit, alphanumeric, and custom numeric passcodes. This article explains how to strengthen your iPhone's passcode. The iPhone iOS operating system provides robust passcode options that enhance the device's security. Instructions in this article apply to iPhones with iOS 14 through iOS 7. How to Enable a Complex Passcode on Your iOS Device
The iPhone gives you the option of entering a six-digit passcode instead of the familiar four-digit passcode for better protection. You can also enter a custom alphanumeric passcode or a longer custom numeric passcode. To configure a stronger passcode through the Settings app: Tap Settings > Face ID & Passcode. (On iPhone 8 devices or some iPad models, tap Touch ID & Passcode instead.) Enter your existing passcode. If you don't currently have a passcode, tap Turn Passcode On. Tap the Passcode Options link to select a passcode type. Choose from a four-digit passcode (the weakest), a six-digit passcode (stronger), a custom alphanumeric passcode, or a custom numeric passcode format. After you choose a type, you're prompted to enter the new passcode and then prompted to reenter it to confirm it. If you want to make your existing four-digit passcode stronger, select Change Passcode on the Face ID & Passcode screen. Enter a six-digit passcode in the field provided or select from the Passcode Options at the bottom of the screen and enter the new code. Considerations
For maximum security, in the Face ID & Passcode settings screen, set the Require Password option to Immediately unless you want a longer period of time before it is required. This option helps you to balance security versus usability. You can either: Create a longer passcode and set a longer amount of time before it's required so you won't constantly need to enter it.Create a shorter passcode and require it immediately. Either choice has its pros and cons; it depends on what level of security versus convenience you are willing to accept. If the device supports it, enroll either a fingerprint or your face in the Touch ID or the Face ID system. Those tools, which are considered secure, can be used in addition to a passcode. Why Complex Passcodes Matter
While creating a complex password is recommended, most people don't want to make things complicated. Changing from a simple passcode to the iPhone complex passcode option boosts security because enabling the alphanumeric characters increases the combinations that a thief or hacker would have to try to break into a phone. The simple four-digit numeric password has 10,000 possible combinations: 104 = 10,000. That may seem high, but a determined hacker or thief may guess it in a few hours, and an automated scanner can guess it in less than a second. Turning on the iOS complex passcode option increases the possible combinations. The total number of possible combinations for the complex passcode option is huge; each character in the code expands from 10 to 77 potential values. In a passcode of 12 alphanumeric characters, the number of potential combinations grows to 7712, or approximately 43,439,888,520,000,000,000,000. Adding a few more characters presents a huge roadblock for a hacker trying to guess all the possible combinations. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Unlock an iPhone Without a Passcode How to Encrypt Your iPad How to Change Your Password on an iPhone How to Encrypt Data on an Android or iOS Device How to Set or Change Your iPad Passcode and Fingerprint How to Lock the Screen on an Amazon Fire Tablet How to Lock Your iPad Screen How to Set a Passcode on iPhone and iPod Touch How to Set Up and Use Touch ID, the iPhone Fingerprint Scanner Forgot Your iPhone Passcode? Here's How to Fix It How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on an iPhone How to Lock Apps on Any iPhone How to Block Websites on the iPhone How to Use Passkeys on iPhone, iPad, or Mac What to Do on iPhone to Stop Government Spying How to Fix 'iPhone Is Disabled' Error Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies