Use your old passcode temporarily when you forget your new passcode on iPhone or iPad

In iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and later, Passcode Reset helps you maintain access to your phone if you forget your new passcode.

About Passcode Reset

When you change your passcode in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and later, Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours when your old iPhone or iPad passcode can be used to access your device. When you access your iPhone or iPad this way, you must change your passcode again immediately.

Use Passcode Reset

  1. From your device’s Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode five times until the “[Device] Unavailable” screen appears and your device asks you to try again later.

  2. When you’re able to, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner of the screen.

    When you’re locked out of your iPhone, you can start to reset your device when you tap Forgot Passcode?

  3. Tap Enter Previous Passcode.

  4. Enter your old passcode, then follow the onscreen instructions to set a new passcode.

    When you change your passcode in iOS 17 and later, you can use your old passcode temporarily to unlock your device.

Set an old passcode to expire in under 72 hours

  1. In the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode.

  2. Enter your passcode.

  3. Tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.

In Settings > Face ID & Passcode, you can manually expire your old passcode.
Published Date: