It's a common complaint that the iPhone changed passcode on its own in the Apple community. There are many odd things in the world, so that your iPhone changed the passcode by itself is no surprise. But what should you do if you have encountered the same situation? In this guide, we have rounded up several feasible methods to fix this problem. Let's check it out now!

• Part 1. Why Did My iPhone Passcode Change on Its Own?
• Part 2. What to Do If iPhone Passcode Changed Itself?
• Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Passcode Changed on Its Own
  • Method 1. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via MagFone iPhone Unlocker
  • Method 2. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via Security Lockout
  • Method 3. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via iCloud
  • Method 4. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via Find My App
  • Method 5. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via iTunes
• Part 4. How to Set up a Passcode on iPhone after Erasing
• Part 5. FAQs about iPhone Passcode Changed by Itself
• Part 6. Conclusion

---

Part 1. Why Did My iPhone Passcode Change on Its Own?

Many iPhone users have found that their iPhone passcode changed from 4 to 6 digits by itself. But they don't figure out what causes the problem. Generally speaking, it can be caused by either unconscious or intended behavior. Here are a few common reasons that lead to your iPhone's passcode change on its own.

Reason 1. Screen Time Passcode Confusion

The iPhone may prompt for a Screen Time passcode, not your lock-screen passcode. Since the Screen Time passcode is visually similar to the device passcode screen, many users think the passcode "changed".

Reason 2. Someone Else Changed Your Passcode

If you have lent your iPhone to others, it is likely that someone has changed the passcode. Or sometimes, your kids changed the passcode inaccidentally while playing your device.

Reason 3. Your iPhone Is Managed by School or Work (MDM)

If your iPhone is managed by a school or company, MDM can enforce passcode rules and require a new passcode for your device.

Reason 4. Security Feature Changed Password Behavior

Apple's newly released security feature may prompt you to 6-digit passcode for better security. This is also why your iPhone passcode changed from 4 to 6 digits by itself.

Reason 5. iOS Updates or System Glitches

Software bugs and software updates in the iOS operating system can sometimes lead to unexpected passcode changes. These bugs might be introduced during updates or due to specific configurations on the device.

---

Part 2. What to Do If iPhone Passcode Changed Itself?

If you're unable to access your iPhone using your usual passcode, don't panic. This could simply be a temporary glitch. Try restarting your device, or take a moment to recall if you may have set different passcodes for other purposes.

Method 1. Restart Your iPhone

If it seems that your iPhone passcode has changed itself, you should first try restarting your device. Sometimes, minor software glitches can cause unexpected problems, and a restart may resolve the issue.

On iPhone X and later:

Step 1. Press and hold the power button and one volume button until the screen changes.

Step 2. Drag the slider to the right to shut off your iPhone.

Step 3. Press and hold the power button to restart your iPhone.

On models before iPhone X:

Step 1. Press and hold the power button until the screen changes.

Step 2. Drag the on-screen slider to the end to shut down your iPhone.

Step 3. Long-press the power button to restart your iPhone.

Method 2. Try All Possible Passcodes

There are a lot of security features of Apple; you may have set various passcodes to manage your iPhone activity and data. So, if you are not able to unlock your iPhone with one passcode, you can try all possible passcodes that meet your habits.

---

Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Passcode Changed on Its Own

Knowing the reasons and having tried the known passcodes, if you are still able to access your iPhone, then you need to fix the issue. Here are five practical methods for you to unlock an iPhone when the iPhone changes passcode on its own. What should be noted is that after these operations, your iPhone data will be erased. Make sure that you have a backup that can be restored afterward.

How to Factory Reset iPhone with iTunes

Begin with the simplest approach by using MagFone iPhone Unlocker. It is an easy-to-use yet professional unlocking tool that supports deleting various locks like 4-digit and 6-digit passcodes on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Also, if your iPhone passcode is changed under the control of MDM or Screen Time settings, MagFone iPhone Unlocker can help you remove the passcodes in a smooth way. Here's an easy step-by-step guide to solve the iPhone passcode changed by itself via MagFone iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1 Connect the iPhone to Computer and Launch MagFone

First of all, connect your iPhone to your computer through a USB cable. Then pull up MagFone iPhone Unlocker on the computer. After MagFone detects your iPhone, select the Remove Lock Screen option and click on the Start button.

Step 2 Put the iPhone into DFU Mode

The next step is to manually put your device into DFU mode to fix the iPhone passcode changed on its own. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to boot your device into DFU mode.

Step 3 Download the Matching Firmware Package

After entering the DFU mode, you need to check the information of your device displayed on the software. Make sure all the information isn't wrong, or you need to correct it. Then click on the Download button to download the firmware package.

Step 4 Remove Screen Passcode from iPhone

Once you have completed the download of the firmware package, you can click on the Unlock button to begin removing the screen passcode from your iPhone. Remember that your device needs to be connected to the computer throughout the whole process. Finally, you can restart your device.

Method 2. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via Security Lockout

The iPhone running iOS 15.2 or later allows the user to directly erase the passcode when it is disabled. Only if you can remember your Apple ID password, you will be able to remove the passcode and unlock your iPhone without a passcode or computer.

On iPhone running from iOS 15.2 to iOS 17

Step 1. Enter your passcode until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears.

Step 2. On the iPhone Unavailable screen, tap Erase iPhone at the bottom right corner.

Step 3. Tap Erase iPhone again and enter your Apple ID password to sign out of Apple ID.

Step 4. After signing out of Apple ID, tap Erase iPhone to confirm to erase all the data and settings. Then the passcode will be removed from your device.

On iPhone running iOS 17 or later

Step 1. Enter your passcode until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears.

Step 2. Tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the bottom corner of the screen.

Step 3. On the Security Lockout screen, tap Start iPhone Reset to confirm.

Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple ID on your device.

Step 5. Tap Erase iPhone to permanently delete all of your data and settings. Then you'll be able to set up your device again.

Method 3. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via iCloud

You can also fix the iPhone changed passcode itself problem via iCloud. iCloud can help you remotely erase all the data and settings on your iPhone. So, you can remove the passcode on your device and set it up again. Make sure that the Find My feature is enabled on your iPhone. Then you can go to iCloud.com and then remove the passcode from your iPhone.

Step 1. Head to iCloud.com and enter your Apple ID account and password to sign in.

Step 2. Click the Find My button, then click the All Devices button at the top of the new window.

Step 3. From the drop-down list, select your iPhone and click the Erase This Device button in the pop-up window.

Step 4. Click the Erase iPhone button and enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

Method 4. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via Find My App

If you have more than one Apple device, you can use the Find My app to remotely erase your iPhone, which can remove the passcode on your device. With the help of the Find My app, you can easily fix the iPhone changed passcode by itself problem. But make sure that you can remember your Apple ID password. Here's how to.

Step 1. On your other Apple device, open the Find My app.

Step 2. Tap Devices at the bottom of the screen and find your iPhone.

Step 3. Scroll down to tap Erase This Device, then tap Continue.

Step 4. Enter your trusted phone number and tap Erase to confirm.

Method 5. Fix iPhone Passcode Changed Itself via iTunes

As a multi-functional tool, iTunes not only enables you to manage your iPhone data, but also allows you to restore iPhone to its original status. If you can't unlock your iPhone currently, you can use iTunes to restore your iPhone. After restoring, you can access your iPhone again. If you consider using iTunes to restore your iPhone, there are two scenarios:

On a trusted computer:

If the computer has been previously authorized by your iPhone, you can directly connect your device and restore it through iTunes without entering additional verification.

Step 1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer, then open iTunes.

Step 2. Click your device icon in iTunes and go to the Summary tab.

Step 3. Select the Restore iPhone option and click the Restore button again to confirm.

On an untrusted computer:

If the computer hasn't been authorized by your iPhone, you'll need to put your device into recovery mode before restoring it with iTunes.

Step 1. Use a USB cable to link your iPhone to a computer, then open iTunes.

Step 2. Power off your iPhone and force your device into recovery mode.

Step 3. In iTunes, click the Restore button on the pop-up window.

---

Part 4. How to Set up a Passcode on iPhone after Erasing

After applying the methods in Part 3, your iPhone will be brought back to factory status, and you can create a new passcode for your iPhone. If you use an iPhone with the Home button, you can use your fingerprint. Or you can use face recognition if your iPhone supports Face ID. But you need to use a passcode for your iPhone to avoid the Touch ID or Face ID not working issue. Here's how to set a passcode on the iPhone.

Step 1. Go to Settings, then tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Tap Turn Passcode On to enter a new passcode. Or tap Passcode Options to select a passcode.

---

Part 5. FAQs about iPhone Passcode Changed by Itself

---

Part 6. Conclusion

If you have the iPhone passcode changed itself, simply read this article and try the methods introduced above. You can use iTunes or iCloud to erase the passcode on your iPhone. Or you can delete the passcode by using MagFone iPhone Unlocker. If you still have other problems, leave a comment on our webpage.