After setting a Face ID or Touch ID, you can easily unlock and use your phone through the biometrics. However, in some cases, your iPhone requires you to enter the 6-digit passcode instead. You are not allowed to access the device with your face or fingerprint. Why is an iPhone asking for a 6-digit passcode?
When you see the familiar “Enter Passcode” screen, enter the lock screen password to unlock your iPhone. It is not necessarily a sign of trouble. However, some users reported that their iPhone kept asking for the passcode. Why does this happen? This article will discuss the possible reasons behind this problem and guide you through the solutions to resolve it.

The Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone offers a convenient way for quick entry. However, due to different reasons, these biometrics may fail to unlock the device. You are asked to enter the fundamental 6-digit passcode.
Your iPhone is asking for a 6-digit passcode under some specific circumstances. The most frequent reason is that your iPhone has been restarted. After a reboot, both Face ID and Touch ID are temporarily disabled. That is designed to prevent someone from accessing your iPhone by simply turning it off and then on again. Apple requires you to enter the passcode first to activate the biometric systems. Similarly, after an iOS update or a factory reset, you must enter the 6-digit passcode first.
Failed biometric attempts are another big reason why your iPhone asks for the digital passcode. When the device cannot recognize your face or fingerprint multiple times, it will display the passcode screen.
Your iPhone has been locked for over 48 hours. iOS requires the 6-digit passcode if the device hasn’t been unlocked via a biometric method for more than 48 hours. In that case, your biometrics can’t be used to confirm your identity.
Software bugs, app conflicts, and hardware-related issues. Sometimes, an incomplete iOS update, a system crash, third-party app conflicts, and incorrect settings can also trigger the passcode requirement. If your iPhone has a hardware problem with the TrueDepth camera system or the Touch ID sensor, it will be unable to use biometric authentication. You must turn to the traditional passcode to unlock the device.
When your iPhone is asking for the 6-digit passcode, you can carefully enter it to unlock or confirm. If you enter it correctly, your iPhone will unlock immediately. After that, biometrics should be re-enabled. You can use Face ID or Touch ID normally.
The iPhone asking for a 6-digit passcode issue won’t be your concern if you know the current device password. The most serious scenario is that you have forgotten your passcode. In that case, you can use the reliable iPhone Unlocker to regain access to your phone. It is primarily designed to remove the forgotten password, Face ID, and Touch ID.
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If your iPhone keeps asking for a passcode or you can't remember the correct password for the device, restore your phone and make a fresh restart for your iPhone. This is the recommended method to regain access.
Connect the iPhone to a computer and put it into Recovery Mode. iTunes or Finder will detect that an iPhone is in the mode and prompt you to restore or update it. Select the Restore option and confirm that. This method will completely erase your phone and its passcode. Moreover, it will install the latest iOS firmware on the device.
What is the 6-digit passcode on an iPhone?
The 6-digit passcode is the default security feature in iOS. Compared with the original 4-digit password, it is significantly more secure. When you set up a new iPhone, you will be asked to set a 6-digit passcode for the device. It is mainly used to unlock your phone and to authorize changes. If you forget it, you will need to erase your iPhone to regain access. You should know that your phone will be disabled after several failed passcode attempts. The 6-digit passcode works with your Face ID or Touch ID to unlock your iPhone.
How can I turn off the 6-digit passcode on my iPhone 13 Pro?
You can use your Face ID or the 6-digit code for quick iPhone unlocking. In certain cases, you prefer to turn off the screen lock temporarily. Open the Settings app on your iPhone 13 Pro and go to Face ID & Passcode. Enter your current 6-digit passcode to proceed. You must turn off Face ID to tap Turn Passcode Off. After that, you will be asked to enter your passcode again to confirm and turn it off. Turning off your device passcode is highly discouraged. You can use a 4-digit code if you need quick access to your iPhone.
Does iPhone have a default lock screen password?
No, your iPhone does not have a default lock screen passcode. Every iPhone is designed to be set up personally by its owner. When you activate and set up a new phone, create a password and a Face ID or Touch ID. The device setup process will force you to create a passcode. There is no pre-set passcode to enter. If you bought a used iPhone, you should ask the previous owner to erase the device and sign out of their account properly.
Conclusion
It's a common situation where your iPhone asks you to enter the current device password. Generally, you can enter it to get rid of the prompt. If you don't know the lock screen passcode or the device keeps asking for a passcode, you can use the two methods above to resolve it. Before erasing the device, ensure you have a backup of all the valuable data. For more questions about the iPhone asking for a 6-digit passcode, you can contact Apple Support or leave us a message below.
To fix iPhone screen locked, wiping password function can help you a lot. And you also can clear Apple ID or Screen Time password easily.
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