Skip to main content

How-to: Strengthen your iOS device’s security with a multi-numeric passcode

Num pad with secure passcode

While many of us know about and use the simple four digit passcode or more complex alphanumeric passcode to secure the data on our iOS devices, I recently discovered an interesting option built right into the system that I find to be more secure than a simple passcode and more convenient than an alphanumeric passcode.

As mentioned in a recent episode of the Mac Power Users podcast, you can make your passcode more complex without complicating it by using more than 4 digits without involving letters and still using the num pad.

While a simple passcode is a 4 digit number, turning off simple passcode and setting up a complex passcode using on numbers allows you to benefit from the ease of use of the lockscreen numpad while having more security than a simple 4 digit passcode.

Setting this up is almost exactly like setting up the default passcode. Simply navigate to Settings > General > Passcode Lock, then be sure to set the Simple Passcode switch to OFF. Now tap Turn Passcode On and your keyboard will appear with letters, but choose the numeric view and enter the multi numeric passcode of your choice.

You will need to verify your passcode, then depending on how soon you have your device set to require passcode entry, it should immediately be activated.

You could even opt to use more digits (or as few as a single digit for more added convenience), but personally I find 6 digits to be the secure sweet spot.

While 4 digit passcodes are plenty secure and certainly more secure than no passcode, using the complex passcode option leaves intruders clueless as to how many digits to even guess adding an extra layer of security without having to fiddle with the alphabetical keyboard.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. Kostas Bearakos Themelis - 11 years ago

    Didn’t know it! Thanks!

  2. Piliger Black - 11 years ago

    Why ?

    • Zac Hall - 11 years ago

      There are only so many combinations of four digit pass codes and using the alphanumeric keyboard is more difficult than it should be. Offers both convenience and extra security.

      • igroucho - 11 years ago

        Like 10,000 of them…

      • Considering you have exactly 10,000 possible combinations with four 0-9 digits, and considering anyone secure should have erase my phone after 10 incorrect attempts, that gives the intruder a 0.001% chance of getting in your phone with a 4 digit passcode. This while it does add more security, it is impractical when the odds are already so far in your favour.

      • Zac Hall - 11 years ago

        Right. It’s not critical but still useful.

      • RB - 11 years ago

        0.1%

  3. Interestingly, if you put a 4 digit numeric passcode in in the non-simple passcode mechanism, it helpfully switches simple passcode back on for you.

    • Zac Hall - 11 years ago

      Hey good point. I think I recall seeing that and thinking I forgot to switch it, but you’re right.

  4. Except now you have to push “OK” every time you unlock your phone…

  5. varera (@real_varera) - 11 years ago

    brilliant!

  6. solomondj - 11 years ago

    I’ve been using this feature in this article for a very long time ago now. Probably a year or more. I’m just wondering why it’s news now. Personally, I never had time to share on this blog or sites, but I just signed yup for WordPress for this comment and I’m always reachable.

    • Zac Hall - 11 years ago

      Hey thanks for the comment. It’s something I learned recently and found useful and interesting. Sharing not as news but as a useful tip. If you have anything you find useful feel free to share at tips@9to5mac.com anytime!

      • solomondj - 11 years ago

        Will do. It just wowed me as I have loved using 8 or 12 digits codes on my phone. Thx for the feedback and I will surely save it in my contacts under tips for iPhone/iPad use.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.