Your Apple ID is the core of your Apple device that lets you access various services like iCloud, App Store, Apple Pay, FaceTime, and more. You can’t use these Apple services without your Apple ID. Therefore, your Apple ID credentials are extremely precious. Moreover, if you’ve invested in the Apple ecosystem, you can add multiple devices to one Apple ID andsync data across all your devices. This way, your Apple ID serves as an all-in-one login for everything Apple. If you ever lose access to your Apple ID account, it might feel like the end of the world as you won’t be able to access your important data. But you need not panic because you can change your Apple ID password if you forget it.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through several methods on how to reset Apple ID password. No more waiting, let’s get right into it!
Table of Contents
How to Reset Apple ID Password with iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch
Using an Apple device is one of the easiest ways to change Apple ID password. You just need to follow some simple steps and you’re done. Here’s how to reset Apple ID password on iPhone or iPad:
1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Choose Password & Security and tap Change Password.
3. Next up,enter your device passcode.
4. Type in your new password and verify it. Do note that your Apple ID password must be at least 8 characters long and contain a number, an upper letter, and a lowercase letter.
5. Once you have verified your Apple ID password, hitChangeat the top right corner of the screen to confirm.
How to Change Apple ID or iCloud Password with Mac
Changing Apple ID password on Mac is as straightforward as doing it on your iPhone or any other Apple device. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences.
2. Tap on your name at the top in the left menu bar and choose Password & Security.
3. Click the Change Password option.
4. Enter your Mac’s password and set a new password for your Apple ID.
How to Reset Apple ID Password on a new Apple Device
While you’re setting up your new Apple device, you’ll be asked to create a new Apple ID or sign in to your existing account. If you already have an Apple ID but don’t remember its password, don’t worry, you can reset your Apple ID password during the setup process.
- You can find the “Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID” option on the Apple ID sign-in screen while setting up your device.
- If you’re done with the setup, you can also find this option in Settings. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > [Your Name] and choose Forgot Password or don’t have Apple ID. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to reset Apple ID password on your iPhone or iPad.
- On a Mac, go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Sign In with your Apple ID. Then, click Forgot Apple ID or password and enter your Apple ID.
How to Reset Apple ID password using Apple Support app
There can be instances when you were previously using an Apple device but have forsaken it now. For some reason, you still need to log in to your Apple ID. In that case, you can head to the Apple Support app on your friend or family member’s Apple device to change the password. Yeah, you got that right. This process is much easier than you think.
1. Open the Apple Support app. If it’s not there on the device, you can download it from App Store (Get, free).
2. Under Support Tools, tap the Reset Password option.
3. Choose the “A different Apple ID” option and hit the Continue button.
4. Then, enter your Apple ID and tap the Next button from the top-right corner.
5. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to change Apple ID password.
How to Reset Apple ID password on Android or Windows Devices
You can also change your iCloud password using a Windows or Android device. The process is pretty simple, but it might take a little longer to get things done. If you haven’t enabled two-factor authentication, you can reset your Apple ID password using email or answer a few security questions. It’s worth knowing that when you create Apple ID on iOS13.4, iPadOS13.4, macOS10.15.4, or later, your account enables two-factor authentication automatically.
Here’s how to reset Apple ID password if you have not set up two-factor authentication on your Apple device.
If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication, just skip this section, and move to the next one.
1. Open iforgot.apple.com on any web browser.
2. Enter your Apple ID and the characters you see on the screen. Hit the Continue button.
3. You can choose from two ways to change your iCloud password- using your email address or answering your security questions.
4. If you opt for Get an email, check the email account shown on the screen and enter the verification code. Click Continue and move to step 6.
5. If you opt forAnswer security questions, enter your birthday, then answer twoof your security questions and clickContinue.
6. Type in the new Apple ID password, verify it and tap Reset Password to change your iCloud password.
How to Reset Apple ID Password with Two-factor Authentication
If you’ve enabled two-factor Authentication (which is recommended for security reasons), you need to follow more steps to provide an extra layer of security. Specifically, your trusted devices & phone number are required to verify your identity to reset your Apple ID if you forget the password. Here are the steps to change your Apple ID password if you’re using two-factor authentication.
1. Open iforgot.apple.com on any web browser.
2. Enter your Apple ID and the characters you see on the screen. Hit the Continue button.
3. Then, you need to confirm your trusted phone number. For this, enter the phone number and click Continue.
4. You’ll see a screen that says, “Look for notification on your devices“. If you’re using your phone number as your Apple ID, you don’t need to enter your phone number again, you’ll see this directly.
5. On your trusted device, open the Reset Password notification and tap Allow.
6. Enter your device’s passcode.
7. Type in the new Apple ID password, verify it and tap Next to change your iCloud password.
What to do if you can’t reset Apple ID Password
If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication and you can’t reset your Apple ID password, you can use Account Recovery to re-gain access to your Apple ID. Account Recovery is a process that helps you recover your iCloud account when you don’t have enough information to change your password. Before you proceed with this method, you should know the following:
- Apple recommends using Account Recovery as the last resort to reset Apple ID.
- This method might take several days or even longer before you can use your account.
- Once you submit the Account Recovery request from your device, you should avoid using that device. Otherwise, it might cancel account recovery.
- To avoid any delay in the recovery process, it’s recommended to turn OFF other Apple devices where you’ve signed in using the same Apple ID.
- In some cases, you might be given an option to speed up the recovery process by verifying a six-digit code sent to your primary email address or providing credit card details to confirm your identity.
Here’s how to use Account Recovery when you can’t change your Apple ID password:
1. Navigate to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser.
2. Enter your Apple ID and the characters shown on the screen. Select Continue.
3. Select the “Don’t have access to iPhone” option.
4. Then, choose “Can’t use any of these options“.
5. Then, select “Continue anyway”.
6. Verify your trusted phone number and follow the on-screen instructions.
7. You’ll get a confirmation of your request and the expected date & time when you can expect to get your Apple ID access. It can take up to 72 hours to receive this email.
8. Once the waiting time is over, Apple will send you a text or automated phone call. Just follow the given instructions to immediately regain access to your iCloud account.
With iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monetery, Apple added a handy option to reset the password. You can use a Recovery Contact or Recovery Key to regain access to your iCloud account. It’s extremely important to know that you have to set up this feature up beforehand. Once you lose the acess to your iCloud account, you won’t be able to access these settings.
How to use Recovery Contact to Reset Apple ID Password
If you forget your password, you can take the help of your recovery contact to regain access to your account.
1.Head over toSettings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Account Recovery and tap Add Recovery Contact.
2. Again, tap Add Recovery Contact. Then, tap the + icon to choose a contact whom you want to set as your recovery contact, and hit the Add option.
To know more about this, check out our detailed guide onwhat is iCloud Account Recovery and how to recover your data.
How to use Recovery Key to Change Apple ID Password
With a recovery key, it’s quite easy to reset your Apple ID password. For those unfamiliar,a recovery key is a randomly generated 28-character codethat allows you to regain access to your account. While it’s a more secure way of resetting the password, it demands additional responsibility.
If you ever happen to lose your recovery key or can’t access your devices, you won’t be able to regain access to your account. In such a situation, not even Apple can help you unlock your account.
1. To generate a recovery key on your iPhone or iPad, navigate toSettings > [Your Profile] > Password & Security > Account Recovery.
2. Now, tapRecovery Keyand then turn on the toggle. After that, go through the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Make sure to write down your recovery key and save it in a safe place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reset Apple ID password if you forgot it?
There are many ways to change Apple ID password. You can use any Apple device, including your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. Then, you can also borrow your friend’s Apple device or use a device at Apple store to change Apple ID password. If you don’t have access to any Apple device, you can also reset iCloud password on Android or Windows devices.
How to change Apple ID password without password or phone number?
Using Apple Support app is one of the easiest ways to change Apple ID password without a phone number. On any Apple device, open the Apple Support app > Reset Password, select “A different Apple ID” and choose Continue. Then, enter your Apple ID, select the “Next” option, and go along with the on-screen instructions.
Can I reset Apple ID password with email?
If you haven’t enabled two-factor Authentication for your account, you can change your Apple ID password using email. To do this, go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and proceed with the on-screen prompts.
How do I reset my Apple ID on my iPhone?
To change Apple ID on iPhone, open Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password and enter your phone’s passcode. Then, choose a new password, verify it, and tap the Continue button.
As an Apple ecosystem enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing Apple IDs, securing devices, and recovering access, I'd like to share my expertise on the concepts discussed in the article.
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Apple ID Importance and Services:
- The article rightly emphasizes that the Apple ID is the linchpin of the Apple ecosystem, providing access to various services such as iCloud, App Store, Apple Pay, FaceTime, and more. It serves as a unified login for multiple Apple devices.
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Password Security:
- Password security is crucial, as highlighted in the instructions for changing the Apple ID password. The article rightly advises on creating a robust password with a minimum length of 8 characters, including a number, an uppercase letter, and a lowercase letter.
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Changing Apple ID Password on Different Devices:
- The guide provides step-by-step instructions on changing the Apple ID password on different Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs. This showcases the versatility of the Apple ecosystem.
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Apple Support App:
- The article introduces the use of the Apple Support app to reset the Apple ID password on another Apple device, demonstrating a practical and convenient solution for users who may not have access to their original device.
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Cross-Platform Access:
- Acknowledging that users may switch to non-Apple devices, the article explains the process of changing the iCloud password using Windows or Android devices. It also mentions that two-factor authentication is automatically enabled on certain versions, enhancing security.
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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- The article delves into the additional security layer provided by two-factor authentication. It guides users through the steps to reset the Apple ID password when 2FA is enabled, emphasizing the need for trusted devices and phone numbers.
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Account Recovery:
- In cases where users can't reset their Apple ID password, the article introduces Account Recovery as a last resort. It wisely advises users on the potential time delay and precautions, such as turning off other signed-in devices.
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Recovery Contact and Recovery Keys:
- The article introduces the concept of Recovery Contact and Recovery Key for enhanced account recovery options. It stresses the importance of setting up these features in advance and provides clear instructions on how to use them.
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FAQs:
- The FAQs address common user queries, such as how to reset the Apple ID password without a phone number, with email, or if the password is forgotten. This adds a helpful layer of information to address different scenarios users might encounter.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to managing Apple ID passwords, catering to users across various Apple devices and scenarios. It covers not only the basic steps but also advanced security features like two-factor authentication and account recovery, showcasing a holistic understanding of Apple's security ecosystem.
