How to Create a Custom Alphanumeric Passcode for Your iPhone

By Leanne Hays updated on 03/23/2020

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Touch ID and Face ID are great iPhone security features, but if you want the best protection for your device, you need an iPhone passcode. Apple's default six-digit numeric passcode is already pretty hard to crack, but you can change your iPhone passcode to one that's even more secure. You can change the passcode on your iPhone to an alphanumeric code that's six digits or longer. That combination of letters, numbers, and length will bring your iPhone security to the next level. In addition to setting up Face ID or Touch ID, your passcode helps keep your iPhone safe from prying eyes. If you're looking for the best security code possible, an alphanumeric code is your best bet. Let's get started learning how to set a new passcode on your iPhone now. 

Related: How to Open the Flashlight & Camera from the Lock Screen on Your iPhone

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How to Create a Custom Alphanumeric Passcode for Your iPhone

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Face ID & Passcode if you have an iPhone X or later; tap Touch ID & Passcode for earlier iPhones.

    alphanumeric codeiphone settings
     
  3. You'll be prompted to enter your current passcode.
  4. Once you're on the ID & Passcode screen, scroll down and tap on Change Passcode.

    passcodechange iphone passcode
     
  5. You'll be once again prompted to enter your current passcode, then tap Next.
  6. Now you can enter a new passcode; but instead, tap on the words Passcode Options below that.

    change iphone passwordiphone lock screen settings
     
  7. Tap on Custom Alphanumeric Code.
  8. Now enter your new passcode using a combination of letters and numbers; you can use up to 34 characters.
  9. When you're finished, tap Next.

    how to set an alphanumeric code on iphoneiphone code

You'll be asked to confirm your new passcode; and then it will be set! Make sure that your alphanumeric passcode is something you're able to remember. The longer the passcode, the more secure it is; but if you're going to have to enter it every time you access your iPhone without Face ID or Touch ID, you might not want to go beyond 8 to 10 characters.

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Topics: 
How-To
iPhone
Privacy and Security
Tip of the Day
Lock Screen
Settings
Leanne Hays's picture
Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays is an SEO Content Strategist and Feature Writer at iPhone Life, and has written hundreds of in-depth how-to and troubleshooting articles. She's a former Associate Editor for iPhone Life magazine, and has written for the Iowa Source, as well as web content for education marketing. Leanne has an associate's degree in education, with a focus on curriculum development, as well as a bachelor's degree in science. She has over nine years of experience with SEO, social media management, and web development and writing. Despite years of web work, Leanne is by no means an early adapter; she's only owned a smartphone for five years, which makes her highly sympathetic to the learning curve of new iPhone owners. She enjoys making reader's lives easier and putting her education experience to work by walking them through the most practical ways to use Apple devices, step-by-step.

In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.