Passcode

How to use a 4-digit passcode for purchases on Apple TV

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated August 27, 2019

Yesterday, on Let's Talk iOS, we discussed how arduous and tedious it is to enter a password on the Apple TV interface. It's a difficult process, because the Apple TV lacks support for Bluetooth keyboards, and features an A-Z text entry setup that makes the process even more difficult that it was on last generation's Apple TV.

Fortunately, the Apple TV features an option that allows you to never require a password for iTunes & App Store purchases. While using such an option works, it leaves your device open to unauthorized purchases. The good news is that, as we discussed on the podcast, you can easily set up restrictions for App Store and iTunes purchases, which will make it so that purchases only require the entry of a 4-digit passcode.

How to make your iPhone and iPad more secure with 6-digit passcodes

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 6, 2017

Starting with the release of iOS 9.0.1, Apple has increased your security by defaulting to 6-digit passcodes on Touch ID devices. “If you use Touch ID, it’s a change you’ll hardly notice,” says Apple.

Compared to 4-digit passcodes which have 10,000 possible combinations, their 6-digit counterparts strengthen your security with one million possible combinations, meaning 6-digit passcodes will be a lot tougher to crack.

Non-Touch ID iPhones and iPads still default to less secure 4-digit passcodes, however. You can enable a 6-digit passcode with a quick trip to Settings, here's how.

iOS 9 allows access to photos and contacts on a passcode locked iPhone – here’s how to prevent it

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 20, 2015

If you have an iPhone running iOS 9, you should be aware that it may be possible to access your photos and contacts on a locked device, even with a passcode and/or Touch ID enabled. I've always ignored reports on this sort of security flaw, because they always seem to pop up with every iOS iteration, and almost always require a user to jump through what seems like a million hoops.

But for some reason—call it boredom, or call it poor judgement—I got curious, and decided to try this out for myself. As it turns out, it's not that hard to do, and it certainly seems like a security flaw in iOS to me.

I debated on whether to post this, because obviously it's going to bring attention to a security flaw that might let people access information that they shouldn't be accessing.

For starters, please don't get bent out of shape over this. This does not expose any other contents of your iPhone outside of Contacts and Photos. People still can't unlock your device, read your messages, watch videos, etc. This only allows users to view your contacts, and look at your photos (not videos) through a limited interface. Photos cannot be forwarded or shared from your iPhone.

My hope is that a). this informs users that a passcode or Touch ID security isn't necessarily enough to keep unwanted eyes off your photos and contacts, and b). Apple will see this and provide a fix. c). show you how to prevent the issue.

The thing is, this information is already out there, and the people who will use it for the bad probably already know about it. Consider this post an attempt to educate those who do not know about this iOS 9 security hiccup. Hopefully, it'll allow users to make smarter decisions about their iPhone's security.

Epicentre: a gorgeous new passcode interface for iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Finding the stock iOS passcode interface to be a bit boring? If so, then keep your eyes peeled for Epicentre, an upcoming jailbreak tweak that adds a gorgeous new interface to the passcode Lock screen.

Epicenter replaces the stock passcode interface with a beautifully animated setup that looks like it was inspired by a traditional rotary phone. It features a preference panel with several options for customizing the look and security of the passcode entry interface. Watch our full video preview to see how.

How to lock and unlock Apple Watch with a passcode

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 11, 2025

Learn how to secure your Apple Watch with a passcode, change the current passcode, and explore other related security settings.

Hacker creates a software-only brute force tool for jailbroken devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Well-known iOS jailbreak developer and hacker Majd Alfhaily was intrigued when read about MDSec's black box hardware brute force for iOS devices. The tool, which runs over a USB connection, tries every possible passcode combination in an attempt to unlock an iPhone secured with a simple passcode.

The downside of such a tool, is that each PIN entry takes approximately 40 seconds, so it could take more than 110 hours to brute force an iPhone. Majd, being the curious person that he is, devised a way to do it in a fraction of the time using only software. The only caveat, if you even want to call it that given what it does, is that the device must be able to run unsigned code, i.e., the device must be jailbroken.

U.S. Court says phone passcodes are protected under the law

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2014

Criminals should protect their iPhones with a passcode, not Touch ID, as a Virginia District Court has determined that passcodes are protected under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution while fingerprints are not, according to a report Friday by Hampton Roads.

The Fifth Amendment protects citizens from self-incrimination so a phone is protected under the law because otherwise it would require a defendant to divulge knowledge. Put simply, a Circuit Court judge has ruled that a criminal defendant can be compelled to reveal their fingerprint but not the passcode, so that police could search their mobile phone.

How to use a passcode with the iOS 8.x jailbreak

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

At this point in time, running Cydia on a jailbroken iPhone can still be a bit confusing for users who aren't always knee-deep in this stuff. One of the biggest issues encountered when running Cydia on a jailbroken iOS 8 device at the moment involves using the passcode and Touch ID.

After installing Cydia on a jailbroken iOS 8 device, many are reporting that establishing a passcode sends them into a bootloop. I verified that I encountered the same issue.

Let me just preface this by saying that the problems encountered here are no fault of the Pangu team or of Saurik. This jailbreak is a work in progress, and we've been advised that the jailbreak is only for developers at the moment. That said, many of you are adventurous and want to take the plunge as soon as possible; as do I.

In this video, I share an unsanctioned workaround to the boot loop issue. I show you how to establish a passcode on a device with Cydia and Cydia Substrate installed. I've tested this out, and have recorded the entire Cydia installation process for your convenience. Have a look inside for the full tutorial.

SleekCode: improve the look of the Lock screen passcode interface

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

SleekCode is a brand new jailbreak tweak that just recently touched down on Cydia’s BigBoss repo. SleekCode allows you to change up the look of the passcode screen. You can alter the background of the blur, alpha, and passcode rings, along with hiding the emergency dial button and slide to unlock chevron.

I was fairly impressed with the look of the passcode screen after configuring SleekCode. Have a look at our video walkthrough for more information.

Genie unlocks your iPhone with simple gestures

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 10, 2014

On a recent article that I wrote, a reader was surprised after reading that I am generally disinterested by a lot of jailbreak tweaks. It might not make sense, given that I write for a blog that is consistently on top of covering the jailbreak scene. Allow me to explain: it's not that jailbreak tweaks do not pique my interest, but rather that some are simply too complex or cumbersome to provide a meaningful purpose.

That's not to discount the fantastic work that developers put into creating jailbreak tweaks. There are just as many good tweaks as there are less impressive ones. Genie is a new Lock screen extension that is a good example. Not only does it provide useful functionality for unlocking your iPhone, but it is a lightweight tweak that isn't dragged down by dozens of confusing settings or unnecessary features. Check it out…

MathPass: use simple math problems to unlock your iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 31, 2014

MathPass is an interesting new jailbreak tweak that's perfect for those who are just beginning to learn multiplication, or for those who just want to stay alert and have a little fun doing it. MathPass asks you to answer simple multiplication problems from the Lock screen, with the product being the Passcode that will unlock your device.

For example, MathPass might ask: ten times one is? Your answer would then be 0010. It's 0010 and not just 10, because you're required to enter a four digit passcode in order to unlock your device. That's pretty much the whole gist of MathPass in a nutshell; check out more detail inside.

QuickPass: enable or disable the passcode with a handy toggle

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 27, 2014

QuickPass is a recently released jailbreak tweak that allows you to quickly disable the passcode lock on your iOS device using a handy toggle found in the stock Settings app. QuickPass is a great tool when you encounter situations where it would be easier to have no passcode on your device at all.

I find QuickPass useful when reviewing jailbreak tweaks, especially tweaks where I'm required to respring a lot. Have a look inside for a full video walkthrough showcasing how the tweak works.