6 Ways to Fix "You Must Change Your iPhone Unlock Passcode"

One of the common problems you will encounter on iPhone is it will often ask you to change the passcode. You will see something like this on the screen "You must change your iPhone unlock passcode at this time".

The prompt message can be frustrating as it keeps occurring repeatedly and prevents you from using the device smoothly. Keep going through this article if you want to know why the prompt message occurs and how to solve this.

Part 1. Why Does “Passcode Requirement iPhone” Pop Up?

iPhone users often take the Passcode Requirement iPhone popup as a bug, virus, or malware attack. But the truth is the operating system on iPhone is highly protected and efficient enough to prevent any malware, bug, or virus.

There are no definite reasons behind the passcode requirement popup issue. However, we will let you know some possible things that can root this below.

Easy/common Passcode

Are you using a four-digit password or a common combination of digits in the passcode? If so, this could be the reason behind the popup. Some examples of the ordinary passcode are 1234, 1111, 0000, etc. As easy passwords are the common target of hackers, the iPhone recommends you change the passcode for the device's security.

Safari browser

One of the most common reasons behind the passcode issue is the Safari browser. Like any other web browser out there, it saves the cookies and cache data when you visit websites and do searches. These can cause different random popups as well as the Passcode Requirement popup.

Configuration profile

Configuration profiles are used to define or restrict the functionality of a device. If you have installed a configuration profile on your iPhone, it may also cause this prompt message. You can check it by going to the General tab from Settings. You should find the configuration profile under the Profiles and Device Management tab if there is any.

MDM

In case you don't know, MDM stands for Mobile Device Management. The MDM-enrolled device is the one that is given to you by the organization you work for. The MDM system can detect if your password on your iPhone is weak and send you the popup to update the password.

iOS bug

iOS system bugs may sometimes cause random issues such as iPhone passcode requirement popping up, iPhone stuck on a black screen, etc.

Part 2. How to Get Rid of Force Passcode Change Requirement?

Below, we will let you know about some possible solutions to the Passcode change requirement issue.

Change the Passcode in Settings

Sometimes changing the passcode is the only solution to this issue. Change the passcode from 4 digits to 6 digits and use an uncommon combination. Here is how to update the passcode on your iPhone:

• Open Settings of your device. Find and open Passcode.
• Press on Change Password. Enter the new passcode and save.

If you are using iPhone 7 or newer models, follow these steps:

• Open settings and go to Face ID & Passcode. Enter the old passcode.
• Press on the Change Passcode option on the new page.
• Choose the preferred option from given choices. Enter the new password and save it.

Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card

Before trying anything else, we recommend you take out the SIM card and reinsert it. Here is how to do this:

• Find the SIM tray outline below the power button. There should be a pinhole in its bottom.
• Push the pin through the hole to release the SIM tray.
• Take off the SIM tray and remove the SIM card from it.
• Now put back the card in the tray and the tray in its compartment.

In most cases, this should solve the issue. If it persists, try the next method.

Clear Safari Browsing History

As we said earlier, the Safari browser history is one of the main reasons behind the pesky popup. Cleaning the browsing history may help you get rid of the issue immediately. Here is how to eradicate the Safari browsing history:

• Open the Settings on your iPhone.
• Find and open Safari.
• Press on “Clear History and Website Data”.

This should remove all the browser's cache, cookies, and history. And, if the passcode requirement problem is caused by the browser, it should be solved now.

Remove Configuration Profiles

Did you install any configuration profiles on your iPhone? Sometimes this profile can be automatically installed by some apps on your device. Here is how to find and delete the profiles (if there is any):

• Click General from iPhone Settings and select ‘VPN & Device Management’.
• On the next interface, choose the MDM profile and click ‘Remove Management’.

Delete Exchange Email Account

Sometimes, the exchange email accounts can also root the passcode issue. Here is how to delete them:

• Go to Settings on your iPhone and then open Mail.
• Click on Accounts, select an email and press ‘Delete from My iPhone’ on the new page.

Contact Your Device Security Service

Many iOS users use third-party security services to make the device more secure. If you use such services, the passcode requirement popup may occur because of their security patch or update.

In this case, it would be better to contact the service provider. They should provide you with the best possible solution to this problem.

Part 3. How to Make a Good Passcode?

Most of us underestimate the importance of a strong passcode. The passcode you are using works as the guard of your iPhone to protect the personal information it’s holding. So, it is imperative to use a strong password to keep your device secured. Here is what you should take into account while choosing the passcode:

• Choose a lengthy passcode.
• Include numbers and symbols in the passcode with letters.
• Mix both lower-case and upper-case letters.
• Never use your personal information on the passcode.
• Never use plain dictionary words in passwords.

Conclusion

As you see, several things can cause the passcode requirement popup in your iPhone. You should be able to solve this by following the methods we have discussed above. Also, make sure to change the passcode of your iPhone to prevent this issue from reappearing.