5 ways to reset Apple ID password

Forgetting your Apple ID means you will be locked out of Apple devices and services like Apple Music, iCloud, App Store, etc. But don't panic if you forget your password because resetting your Apple ID password is quite simple in most cases.

Table of Contents

• Things to do before resetting Apple ID password
• 1. Reset Apple ID on a trusted device
  • On iPhone or iPad
  • On Mac
• 2. Reset Apple ID password via iForgot website
  • On iPhone or iPad
  • On your Mac, PC, or Android device
• 3. Reset Apple ID password on new device
• 4. Reset Apple ID password using someone else's device
• 5. Reset Apple ID password with a recovery contact
• What to do if standard Apple ID password reset methods don't work?

Things to do before resetting Apple ID password

Before you reset or change your Apple ID password, it's important to have all the information you need for the process. Here's what you'll need:

• Email address: Make sure you have access to the email address you used with your Apple ID.
• Security Questions: Have answers ready for any security questions if needed.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): If you have MFA enabled, make sure you have access to a trusted device or phone number.
• Recovery email or phone number: If you've set up a recovery email or phone number, make sure you have access to it.
• Additionally, it's important to note that Apple has a specific set of requirements for passwords, including:
  • Password must be at least 8 characters long.
  • Password must include 1 number.
  • Password must include both uppercase and lowercase letters.

1. Reset Apple ID on a trusted device

With two-factor authentication (2FA), you can only access your account through devices you trust and on the web.

When you sign in to a new device for the first time, you'll need your password and a 6-digit verification code that's displayed on other devices or sent to your phone number. You won't need that verification code again unless you sign out, erase your device, or change your password.

Your only other option is to sign in with Apple Passkeys, which requires a trusted iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later.

If you have 2FA turned on, you can reset your Apple ID or iCloud password from any trusted device.

On iPhone or iPad

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap [Your Name] > Sign-in & Security , then select Change Password .

Next, enter the passcode you use to unlock your device.

On the Change Password screen that appears, enter your new password in both fields and tap Change . You can now enter this new Apple ID password on all your other devices.

On Mac

In macOS, open the Apple menu and go to System Settings , then click [Your Name] .

Click Sign-In & Security , then click Change Password next to Password . You'll be prompted to enter your Mac's administrator password. Once you do, click Allow .

From the dialog box that appears, enter your new password and re-enter it in the Verify field . Then, click Change . Your other devices will ask you to enter your new password the next time you use it.

2. Reset Apple ID password via iForgot website

Another way to reset your Apple ID password is through Apple's iForgot website.

On iPhone or iPad

Here's what you need to do to reset your Apple ID password via the iForgot website on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Visit Apple's iForgot website .
2. Click Reset Password .
3. Now, click on the Reset My Password button .
4. Enter your iPhone or iPad passcode to authenticate.
5. Just enter your new password, re-enter it, and press Continue .

Note : The above steps only apply if you are using a trusted iPhone or iPad. Otherwise, the iForgot website will prompt you to enter a trusted phone number instead of a passcode.

On your Mac, PC, or Android device

Visit Apple's iForgot website using a web browser and click Reset Password . Enter your Apple ID and click Continue .

You'll briefly see the phone number associated with your Apple ID (the numbers are hidden and only the last two digits are visible). Enter the full phone number for verification and tap Continue .

Like 2FA sign-in, a dialog box will appear on your trusted devices. A list of your Apple devices will also appear on the website. Click or tap Allow in the Reset Password prompt .

Enter your device passcode or macOS administrator password and click Continue . Enter a new password, re-enter it in the Verify field , and click Next or click Change . That's it! You've successfully changed your Apple ID password.

3. Reset Apple ID password on new device

You can also reset your Apple ID password using a new iPhone or iPad by following the steps below:

1. If you just set up a new iPhone or iPad, just tap Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID? during setup. Otherwise, open the Settings app.
2. Click Sign in to your iPhone > Sign in Manually .
3. When prompted to enter the email or phone number associated with your Apple ID, tap Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID? . Then, tap Forgot Password or Apple ID .
4. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. Now, confirm your phone number.
5. Tap Send code to [Your Number] . Enter the verification code you received, followed by your 28-character recovery key—if you've enabled it—and tap Next .
6. Finally, enter your new Apple ID password and confirm it.

Similarly, if you're signing in to your Apple ID on a new Mac during setup, click Forgot Apple ID or password? .

Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, then enter your trusted phone number, followed by your 28-character recovery key.

If you've already gone through the setup process, go to System Settings and click Sign in with your Apple ID . Click Forgot Apple ID or Password and follow the same instructions as above to reset your Apple account password.

4. Reset Apple ID password using someone else's device

If you can't access any of your devices, you can reset your Apple ID password using a friend or family member's iPhone or iPad from the iForgot website or the Apple Support app.

First, ask the device owner to download the Apple Support app . In Support Tools , tap Reset Password . Now, tap Help Someone Else .

Enter the Apple ID whose password you need to reset, then tap Next and follow the on-screen instructions until you receive confirmation.

5. Reset Apple ID password with a recovery contact

If you’re locked out of your Apple ID account and don’t have access to your other Apple devices or a trusted phone number, all hope is not lost. As long as you’ve set up account recovery contacts, they can help you regain access to your account within minutes.

Here's what you need to do on your device so your recovery contact can assist you:

1. Visit Apple's iForgot website in a web browser.
2. Tap Reset My Password and enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. If you don't have access to your device and are using a borrowed device, tap Help Someone Else .
3. Tap Cannot access your Apple devices when prompted to use other Apple devices to reset your Apple ID password.
4. Tap Cannot use this number when prompted to use your trusted phone number.
5. Click Get help now on the next screen.

Now, you need to contact the person in your recovery contacts and ask them for the recovery code.

If they're using an iPhone or iPad, they'll need to go to Settings > [Apple ID Name] > Sign-In & Security > Account Recovery . Then, select your name under the Account Recovery For heading and tap Get Recovery Code .

If you're using a Mac, you'll need to click the Apple icon in the menu bar and go to System Settings > [Apple ID Name] > Sign-In & Security > Account Recovery . Then, click Details next to your name under Account Recovery For and click Get Recovery Code .

Once your contact follows the instructions and receives a 6-digit recovery code, tap I have a recovery code and enter that code on the next screen.

You may be prompted to enter the passcode for other devices after entering the recovery code. Then enter your new passcode twice and tap Continue .

If you don’t have access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID and haven’t set up a recovery account or contacts, you’ll have a hard time getting back into your account. Unfortunately, your only option in such cases is to create a new Apple ID.

What to do if standard Apple ID password reset methods don't work?

In case the methods outlined above for resetting or changing your Apple AI password don’t work for you, there are still some alternative strategies you can try that can help you recover your account and regain access to all your Apple devices and services.

• Check devices signed in with your Apple AI : If you have other Apple devices signed in with your Apple AI, you can use one of those devices to reset your password. This is often the quickest solution because it allows you to skip the extra verification steps.
• Use recovery information : When you set up Apple AI, you may have provided a recovery email address or phone number. If so, Apple can send you a verification code or reset link to help you regain access to your account.
• Contact Apple Support : If you have tried the above methods without success, contacting Apple Support is your next best option. Apple Support can help you verify your identity and recover your account. While this may take a little longer, it is a reliable way to resolve the issue.