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Settingly

Privacy and security

Passcode

Most people call this the code that unlocks your phone.

Your passcode is the root of iPhone security: it encrypts your data, and Face ID or Touch ID are conveniences layered on top of it.

Available

This setting is present on your iPhone.

  • We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.

Where to find it - iOS 13 and later

  1. Settings
  2. Face ID & Passcode
  3. Change Passcode

What it does

The passcode is used to derive the key that protects your data. A six digit code is the default, and Passcode Options offers a custom numeric code or a full alphanumeric one.

Every biometric unlock still falls back to the passcode, which is why a longer code matters more than most people think.

What changes

When it is on

The phone is encrypted and locked. Face ID and Touch ID become available.

When it is off

Data protection is substantially weakened, Apple Pay stops working, and biometrics are disabled.

Should you turn it on?

Good reasons to turn it on

  • It is what actually encrypts your data.
  • Required for Apple Pay, Face ID, Touch ID and most secure features.
  • A longer alphanumeric code defeats shoulder surfing far better than six digits.

Good reasons to turn it off

  • There is no good reason on a personal phone.
  • A shared kiosk device managed by an organisation is the only sensible case.

Battery

No real change

Privacy

Helps

Performance

No real change

Cellular data

No real change

Storage

No real change

Out of the box: Required during setup on modern releases.

Can cause real problems

Where this setting used to live

Apple moves settings between releases. This is every location we have on file.

  1. iOS 13 and later

    Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Change Passcode

  2. iOS 13 and later

    Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Change Passcode

Questions people actually ask

Is a six digit passcode enough?
It resists casual guessing, but an alphanumeric passcode is much stronger against someone who watched you type.
Why does my iPhone ask for the passcode after a restart?
Biometrics are unavailable until the passcode has unlocked the encryption keys once.

If it is not working

  • Use Passcode Options during setup to choose an alphanumeric code.
  • After a restart, or 48 hours without unlocking, only the passcode works.
  • Five failed Face ID attempts fall back to the passcode by design.

Related settings