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If you've recently changed the iPhone passcode, you can set your iPhone to temporarily use the old passcode when you forget the new passcode on iPhone. This is a great way to ensure you don't get locked out of your phone before you've gotten in the habit of remembering the new passcode. In order for this option to show up, you will need to have recently changed the passcode, and you will need to have updated to iOS 17.
Why You'll Love This Tip:
- Avoid getting locked out of your iPhone when you forget your new passcode.
- Create a fail-safe for yourself when you're still getting used to your new passcode.
How to Enable Temporary Passcode Reset
System Requirements
This tip works on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later. Find out how to update to iOS 17.
Before you can use this tip, make sure you have recently updated your iPhone or iPad passcode. It's important to note that this feature is only available for up to 72 hours after you originally updated your new iPhone passcode. Additionally, this is a feature that is only available after you have updated to iOS 17 or later. If you like learning tips and tricks about your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!
Important Note
This tip will only work up to 72 hours after you've updated your password. Additionally, to test this tip, you will need to change your iPhone passcode multiple times. Be sure to write down the new passcode every time you update before you tap Expire the Previous Passcode (the last step). If you don't want to change your passcode multiple times, avoid steps 8-13!
- First, to update your passcode, open Settings.
![First, to update your passcode, open Settings.]()
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
![Tap Face ID & Passcode.]()
- Enter your current passcode.
![Enter your current passcode.]()
- Tap Change Passcode.
![Tap Change Passcode.]()
- Enter current passcode.
![Enter current passcode.]()
- Then, enter a new passcode. Tap Passcode Options for additional options for passcodes.
![Then, enter a new passcode. Tap Passcode Options for additional options for passcodes.]()
- Enter your new passcode and verify it again.
![Enter your new passcode and verify it again.]()
- Now, to test the feature, lock your iPhone.
![]()
- Avoid using Face ID if you have it enabled and enter an incorrect passcode until your iPhone locks you out.
![Avoid using Face ID if you have it enabled and enter an incorrect passcode until your iPhone locks you out.]()
- Tap Forgot Passcode in the bottom right.
![Tap Forgot Passcode in the bottom right.]()
- Tap Enter Previous Passcode.
![Tap Enter Previous Passcode.]()
- Enter the previous passcode.
![Enter the previous passcode.]()
- Then, update to a new passcode again.
![Then, update to a new passcode again.]()
- Now, to make sure that no one can use the old password, go back to Settings.
![Now, to make sure that no one can use the old password, go back to Settings.]()
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
![Tap Face ID & Passcode.]()
- Enter your new passcode.
![Enter your new passcode.]()
- Then, tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.
![Then, tap Expire Previous Passcode Now.]()
- Tap Expire Now. The option will disappear and no one will be able to use the old passcode to access your iPhone.
![Tap Expire Now. The option will disappear and no one will be able to use the old passcode to access your iPhone.]()
And that's how you can make sure you never get locked out of your iPhone after you've updated your passcode! Be sure before you update to a new passcode, you make a mental note about what it is!
