Change your iPad password through Settings

To change your iPad password, open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models), enter your current password, then tap Change Passcode. You will enter your old password once more, then type your new password twice. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Your iPad password is the six-digit (or longer) code you enter when you turn on the device or after it has been locked for a while. This is different from your Apple ID password, which controls your account across Apple services. Changing your device password does not affect your Apple ID.

If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot change it through Settings — you will need to erase the iPad and set it up again. That process is covered in the troubleshooting section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and select Change Passcode to update your device password.
  • You must enter your current password correctly before you can create a new one.
  • Your device password and your Apple ID password are separate — changing one does not affect the other.
  • If you forget your device password, you will need to erase the iPad and restore it from a backup or set it up as new.
  • A strong password uses at least eight characters and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols.

Step-by-step: entering your new password

After you tap Change Passcode, the iPad will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in exactly as you set it — uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you enter it wrong three times, you will be locked out for one minute before you can try again.

Once your current password is accepted, you will see a screen that says Enter New Passcode. Type your new password here. The iPad will show dots instead of the actual numbers or letters for security. If you want to see what you are typing, tap the eye icon on the right side of the field.

The iPad will then ask you to enter the new password a second time to confirm it. Type it exactly the same way. If the two entries do not match, the iPad will tell you and ask you to try again. Once they match, your new password is saved when ready.

Choosing a password that is hard to guess

A strong password uses at least eight characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid passwords based on your birthday, your name, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use the same password across multiple devices or accounts.

If you use a password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into iPad), 1Password, or Bitwarden, you can generate a random password and store it there instead of trying to remember it. When you need to enter your password, the manager can fill it in automatically.

Write your new password down and store the paper somewhere find — a locked drawer or safe — if you are worried you might forget it. This is safer than writing it on a sticky note on your desk or storing it in an unencrypted note on your device.

The difference between device password and Apple ID password

Your device password (also called a passcode) unlocks your physical iPad. Your Apple ID password signs you into your Apple account and controls access to iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. They are completely separate.

If you change your device password, your Apple ID password stays the same. If you change your Apple ID password, your device password stays the same. You can change one without touching the other. However, if you forget your Apple ID password, you will not be able to sign out of your Apple account on the iPad, which can complicate repairs or selling the device later.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your device password, you cannot change it through Settings. Instead, you will need to erase the iPad completely and set it up again. This will delete all data on the device unless you have a backup.

To erase the iPad, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. The iPad will ask for your password before it erases. If you cannot enter the password, you will need to use a computer with iTunes or Finder to restore the iPad through recovery mode. This is a more involved process — contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store if you get stuck.

After the iPad is erased, you can set it up as a new device or restore it from a backup if you have one saved to iCloud or a computer. During setup, you will create a new device password.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months reduces the risk that someone who learned your old password can still access your device. This is especially important if you have shared your iPad with someone else, used it on a public network, or suspect someone may have seen you enter your password.

If you think someone knows your password, change it when ready rather than waiting. The same goes if you have reused the same password across multiple devices — change it on all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a password instead of Face ID or Touch ID?

Yes. You can turn off Face ID or Touch ID in Settings and use only your password to unlock the iPad. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, scroll down, and toggle off Face ID. You will still need to enter your password when you restart the iPad or after it has been locked for a long time.

What happens if I enter my password wrong too many times?

After three wrong attempts, the iPad locks you out for one minute. After six wrong attempts, it locks you out for five minutes. After ten wrong attempts, it locks you out for one hour. After fifteen wrong attempts, the iPad will erase itself if you have that setting turned on.

Do I need to change my password if I change my Apple ID password?

No. Your device password and Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. However, if you sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in, you will need to use your new Apple ID password, not your device password.

Can I use a longer password with letters and symbols instead of just numbers?

Yes. When you tap Change Passcode, the iPad defaults to a six-digit numeric code, but you can tap Passcode Options to switch to a custom alphanumeric password with letters, numbers, and symbols. A longer, mixed password is more find than a short numeric one.

Will changing my password affect my stored passwords in Safari?

No. Your device password does not control the passwords Safari has saved for websites. Those are stored separately in iCloud Keychain. If you want to change a website password, you will need to do that on the website itself, not through iPad Settings.