We’re now at the stage of the Apple Vision Pro’s release that we must remind folks that this is a version 1.0 product, and as such, it’s going to have quirks and bugs. For example, visionOS currently has no way to reset the passcode if you forget it. To reset it, you must go to the Apple Store or mail it to Apple Care support, where they can erase and reset the headset.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, several Vision Pro users have run into this problem. If the passcode is entered incorrectly several times, the headset locks the user out and a waiting period begins–it’s a process like that on the iPhone.
But on the iPhone, users can restore the device through Recovery Mode, which requires a wired connection to a Mac or PC. The Vision Pro doesn’t have a USB-C port, but you can do a wired connection between the Vision Pro and a Mac using a Developer Strap, and then users can erase and reset the headset. However, the Developer Strap is available only to members of Apple’s Developer Program and it’s $300. (You can’t even see the Developer Strap product page unless you’re in the program and in the U.S.)
Apple will likely add the ability to perform a passcode reset in a future visionOS update. In the meantime, if you’re afraid that you’ll forget your passcode, you can save it in a Mac or iPhone password manager such as 1Password. Or you could save it as a locked note in the Notes app. You can also turn off the Vision Pro passcode in Settings > Optic ID & Passcode > Turn Passcode Off. Apple has a support document on how to set a passcode and use Optic ID to unlock Apple Vision Pro for your reference.
For more information check out our Apple Vision Pro superguide.
Update:Apple has added code in the visionOS 1.1 beta that lets users reset their Vision Pro on the device.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor
Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.