I entered a 4-digit passcode but phone wants 6

Question

Level 1

18 points

I entered a 4-digit passcode but phone wants 6

I got a new iphone 6s Plus yesterday (I had an iPhone 6 Plus) and the guy at Sprint was "helping" me set it up, and said to enter my passcode, so I did. But it's my old 4-digit passcode. I did not click on "4-digit passcode" during setup (now I know I should have) and now I can't unlock my phone because it wants a 6-digit code that I never entered. I have searched and can't find anyone else who had this issue. I tried repeating the last digit as the fourth and fifth digit but it didn't work. I tired my four digits plus 00, that didn't work. I don't want to have to erase data and set up everything again. I spent hours setting everything up.

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.2.1

Posted on Mar 22, 2016 10:49 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 22, 2017 7:00 AM in response to PurplePen

I gave my old i phone 6+ to my husband.

We put in his simcard into the iphone 6+

If the screen open, it asks fir his passcode with 6 digits. BUT HIS PASSCODE IS ONLY 4 digits.

( when i had t phone i always had a 4 digit passcode.

So we can not enter my old phone for him

What to do now???

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 22, 2017 7:07 AM in response to smartsusan

You will need to follow these instructions:

If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

As you should be restoring the phone to new before passing it on to someone else, this is a good step to take anyway.

Reply

Answer 3

javaliga

Level 10

120,179 points

Mar 22, 2016 10:52 AM in response to PurplePen

If you "forgot" your passcode, I'm afraid this is your only option:

If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 4

PurplePen Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 22, 2016 10:55 AM in response to javaliga

I didn't forget it. I know my 4-digit passcode. Once I got the new phone, I entered my usual 4-digit passcode. But once I powered my phone down, it's asking for a 6-digit code. Yesterday I was able to use the 4-digit code. Not today.

Reply

Answer 5

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Mar 22, 2016 10:59 AM in response to PurplePen

How would the new phone know about the password for the old phone?

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 22, 2016 10:59 AM in response to PurplePen

You're still going to need to restore the phone. Sorry.

Reply

Answer 7

PurplePen Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 22, 2016 11:05 AM in response to Csound1

I entered the same passcode in the new phone during setup at the Sprint store. Not sure how it allowed me to set up a 4-digit passcode, and let me use that all day yesterday, but once I powered down, and then turned it on today, all of a sudden it wanted a 6-digit passcode.

Reply

Answer 8

PurplePen Author

Level 1

18 points

Mar 22, 2016 11:09 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I'm waiting to see what the Sprint tech says, but I know that's what I'll need to do. It's just ridiculous that this can happen.

Reply

Answer 9

Mar 23, 2016 4:19 AM in response to PurplePen

Exactly the same thing happened to me after 9.3 update although I have been using the 6s for six months with a 4 digit code. It is now asking for the 6 digit code after the 9.3 update and I have never used one... ever! CB

Reply