How to Unlock Your iPhone If You Forget Your New Passcode (2024)

In iOS 17, if you change your iPhone's passcode and forget it soon after, Apple offers you a 72-hour grace period to fix it without getting locked out of your device. Here's how it works.

In iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, it is now possible to reset an iPhone or iPad's new passcode with the previous passcode you used for up to three days after the change is made. In other words, Apple lets you use your old passcode within 72 hours of setting a new one, which is handy if you're someone who is likely to forget a newly created passcode.

When you enter an incorrect passcode on a device running iOS 17 after making a change, simply tap on the Forgot Passcode? option at the bottom of the display to use the Try Passcode Reset option. Tapping it allows you to use your old passcode to create yet another new passcode.

For protection in case someone has learned your passcode, there is also an "Expire Previous Passcode Now" setting that you can make use of. (Note that if you use this option, you'll no longer be able to use your old passcode to gain access to your device if you forget your new passcode.) To use the new option in iOS 17, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Scroll down and select Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode.
Under "Temporary Passcode Reset," tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.
Tap Expire Now to confirm.

It is still possible to change an Apple ID account's password with an iPhone's passcode, despite a Wall Street Journal report in February highlighting instances of thieves spying on iPhone users in public when they enter their passcode, and then stealing the device in order to gain widespread access to the device.

Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi in June 2023 said Apple has continued to "look at other ways to address this," but no changes have been made as of yet. To make theft harder, Apple recommends that users switch from a four-digit passcode to an alphanumeric passcode, which would be more difficult for thieves to spy on. This can also be done in Settings under Face ID & Passcode -> Change Passcode.

Tag: Apple Security

Top Rated Comments

jaworq

8 months ago

It is still possible to change an Apple ID account's password with an iPhone's passcode, despite a Wall Street Journal report in February highlighting instances of thieves spying on iPhone users in public ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/24/iphone-stolen-passcodes-report/') when they enter their passcode, and then stealing the device in order to gain widespread access to the device.
Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi in June 2023 said ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/10/the-talk-show-live-from-wwdc-2023/') Apple has continued to "look at other ways to address this," but no changes have been made as of yet. To make theft harder, Apple recommends that users switch from a four-digit passcode to an alphanumeric passcode, which would be more difficult for thieves to spy on. This can also be done in Settings under Face ID & Passcode -> Change Passcode.
Article Link: iOS 17: How to Change a New iPhone Passcode If You Forget It ('https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/ios-change-your-new-passcode-if-you-forget-it/')

The biggest mistake is 4/6-digit passcode required to change the iCloud password... WTF. Current iCloud password should be provided to change the password. We can remember and/or store such password in some other place than Settings > Passwords and voila. Thief is no longer able to log us out from our iCloud by changing the password.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

TallGuyGT

8 months ago

I went with an alpha numeric passcode for heightened security. I’ve at least been able to convince family members to go to 6 digit and not use 000000. I suspect most folks do not realize the potential dangers from a lost phone and easily guessed passcode.

They should add ways to see your phone screen on other devices. That way if you get the black screen of death from say water damage or the like, you can back up your data if you haven’t previously.

I suspect most damage that causes a black screen would mean an external connection would not work either. Would be useful for cracked or damaged but powered on screens.

I am surprised by how many people simply never backup their phones; yet their entire lives a run on it. If you don’t trust the cloud at least backup to a computer. What would be nice is Time Machine for iOS/iPadOS.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

steve09090

8 months ago

This seems like an issue which was solved before it became an actual problem. If I'm changing my passcode, there is a reason, I don't need the increased security risk of having two passcodes for a few days.

Do people not actually read the article? You can cancel using the expired password.

For protection in case someone has learned your passcode, there is also an "Expire Previous Passcode Now" setting that you can make use of. (Note that if you use this option, you'll no longer be able to use your old passcode to gain access to your device if you forget your new passcode.) To use the new option in iOS 17, follow these steps:
[LIST=1]
* Open Settings.
* Scroll down and select Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode.
* Under "Temporary Passcode Reset," tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.
* Tap Expire Now to confirm.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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