Everyone knows that the 4 digit passcode on the iPad is really just to stop family members from getting hold of your phone and making prank calls or fiddling with your Facebook profile. C’mon Apple, a 4 digit passcode? What is that secure enough for these days, a bank wouldn’t use…..oh…hmm…nevermind. But what if you actually have data on your iPhone worth protecting?

As usual with the guides here and on The iPhone Guru, I’ve detailed the “hard” way, guaranteed to give you full control over your iPhone’s security measures, as well as the easy way, if you just want a more secure passkey without all of the fuss….

Since I’m feeling extra helpful today I’ve decided to give you the easy instructions first!

WARNING: You are going to be changing your passcode for this tutorial and replacing it with one that’s much stronger! I am not responsible if you pull an absentminded professor on this one and forget it! I don’t want to hear about it if you lock your iPad up with a passcode you can’t remember… so don’t! Otherwise there is no danger of damaging your iPad with this guide.

Here’s how to add a stronger, longer passcode that allows you to use numbers, letters and even special characters like punctuation in your passcode.

1. Tap on this link from your iPad.

2. Tap Install and Install Now (yours may say Unsigned, this is normal)

3. Your iPad will now require that you enter a new passcode and then confirm it by entering it again, the minimum is 8 characters containing at least one number and one letter.

That’s it! You’re now protected by a stronger passcode.

For instructions on how to remove the new passcode profile, jump to the bottom. If you’d like to see how to build a passcode profile for yourself, choosing your own options, read on for …

“The Hard Way“:

1. Download the iPhone Configuration Utility 2.2

2. After installing and running the utility, plug in your iPad and click on Configuration Profiles.

3. You can program in a lot of fun options here, but the one we want today is located under Passcode.

4. Click Configure then Require Passcode, Allow simple value and Require alphanumeric value, this will allow either a digit only or number and letter passcode. I also recommend that you up the amount of failed attempts before data wipe to the maximum of 16. Just in case you forget your fancy new passcode! It’s probably safer to just disable this if you’re not dealing with sensitive material.

5. Feel free to name your profile under the General tab.

6. Click on your iPad under the Devices list.

7. Click on Configuration profiles and click Install next to the Passcode Lock.

8. Tap Install then Install Now on your iPad.

9. Assign your new passcode and verify it.

That’s it, you’re all set with your new passcode profile!

To Remove the Passcode Profile

This will reset the iPad back to the normal 4 digit passcode:

1. Go to Settings>General>Profiles and click Remove.
2. Go to Settings>General>Passcode and turn passcode off
3. Enter your passcode when neccessary.

Hey there. If you made it this far, you’re really interested in your iPad’s security. If so, here is a super tough passcode profile for you: Stupid Strong Passcode

This profile requires a 16 character passcode, with a minimum of 4 complex characters (not letters or numbers) Will autolock your device after 1 minute, has a grace period of 5 minutes before locking your device, has a unique passcode memory of 2 and will only let you enter it wrong 5 times before WIPING your entire iPad of data. Don’t use this unless your’e nuts about security.