How to set a lockscreen pincode/password on iOS 7

If you would like to keep your iOS 7 gadget protected from snooping eyes, one of the simplest approaches to achieve this is to activate a longer password or a PIN lock. Guarding your device with a PIN or password, which Apple calls equally as a “passcode,” takes just some minutes, and sets you well ahead of the majority of people, who make use of no lockscreen at all.

The initial step toward turning on an iOS 7 passcode lock is to make sure that your gadget is running iOS 7. If you encompass an iPhone 4 or 5 of any sort, a 2nd-generation iPad or superior, an iPad mini, or a 5th-generation iPod Touch, you can use iOS 7, even though older models might reduce performance if you install.

Step 1

Select Settings, General and Passcode Lock. This will get you to the Passcode Lock list of options, even though if you by now encompass a PIN or password set, you must key it in first.

Turn Passcode On is the initial and most luring choice here; however do not select it yet. First, you should make a choice: Do you need a four-digit PIN, or a more multifaceted alphanumeric password? If four digits go well with you fine, make sure that the Simple Password is turned on. If not, let it stay off.

Even though a PIN has a smaller number of characters than a password, it is usually just as difficult for a laid-back thief to deduce, as long as you do not choose something expected, like a street address or birthday.

Whereas a four-digit PIN has merely 10,000 likely combinations, a lengthy alphanumeric passcode of 10 or extra digits that comprises numbers, upper- and lowercase letters, and punctuation marks will encompass trillions.

Your choice between a password and a PIN comes down to whichever you will find simpler to keep in mind, and which one likely thieves will find difficult to make out.

Step 2

Once you have made your choice, select Turn Passcode On. Enter and re-enter your desired PIN or password, and you’re done.

Strong alphanumeric Passcode

If four numbers do not make you feel safe enough, you can change to a stronger, alphanumeric Passcode. Turn the simple passcode off like in step one and key in your new passcode in the box, this can at this instant be anything you want.

Step 3

At this instant you can choose how frequently your gadget will request for your passcode. “Immediately” implies that you will re-enter it each time you switch the gadget’s screen off and on once more; other periods imply that it will stay unlocked until the given time passes.

Enabling a lockscreen pincode/password is not a cure-all for all security risks to your iOS 7 gadget; however it is an excellent place to begin.