How to Reset Your Apple ID Password in a Few Easy Steps

This article explains how to reset your Apple ID password if you've forgotten it.

How to Reset Your Apple ID Password on the Web

If you've tried all the passwords you think might be correct and you still can't log in, you need to reset your Apple ID password. Here's how to do that using Apple's website (if you have two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID, skip these instructions and go to the next section):

1. In your browser, go to iforgot.apple.com.

2. Enter your Apple ID username, then click Continue.

3. There are two ways to reset your password: using the recovery email address you have on file in your account or answering your security questions. Make your choice and click Continue.

4. If you chose to Get an email, check the email account shown on the screen, then enter the verification code from the email and click Continue. Now skip to step 7.

5. If you chose to Answer security questions, begin by entering your birthday, then answer two of your security questions and click Continue. 

6. Enter your new Apple ID password. The password must be 8 or more characters, include upper and lowercase letters, and have at least one number. The Strength indicator shows how secure the password you choose is.

7. When you're happy with your new password, click Reset Password to make the change.

Resetting Your Apple ID Password with Two-Factor Authentication

Resetting your Apple ID password requires more steps if you're using two-factor authentication to provide an additional layer of security. In that case:

1. Follow the first two steps in the instructions above.

2. Next, confirm your trusted phone number. Enter the number and click Continue.

3. You'll get a screen that tells you to check your trusted devices.

4. On one of your trusted devices, a Reset Password pop-up window appears. Click or tap Allow.

5. Enter the device's passcode.

6. Then enter your new Apple ID password, enter it a second time for verification and tap Next to change your password. 

How to Reset Your Apple ID Password in iTunes on a Mac

If you use a Mac and prefer this approach, you can also reset your Apple ID password via iTunes. Here's how:

1. Begin by launching iTunes on your computer.

2. Click the Account menu.

3. Click Sign In.

4. In the pop-up window, click Forgot Apple ID or Password? (it's a small link just below the password field).

5. In the next pop-window, enter your Apple ID.

6. Another pop-up window will ask you to enter the password you use for your computer user account. This is the password you use to log on to the computer.

7. Enter your new password, enter it a second time for verification, and then click Continue.

8. If you have dual-factor authentication enabled, you'll need to enter your trusted phone number.

9. Choose Use a trusted phone number or Use another device. Then follow the steps above on your trusted device to reset your password.

How to Set an Account Recovery Contact

Users of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterrey (12.0) have another option for resetting their iCloud password: account recovery contacts. With this feature, you'll designate a trusted person who can provide a recovery key once you've answered a few questions to Apple to verify your identity. You should set this feature up in advance, since you won't be able to access these settings without your iCloud account.

To designate an account recovery contact on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > Password and Security > Account Recovery and tap Add Recovery Contact. Then, follow the instructions to invite someone to be your ACR. They'll have to agree to the request before they'll come up during the password-reset process.

On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security > Account Recovery and select Add Recovery Contact. The same directions apply here as on an iPhone. In either case, you must have two-factor authorization active to designate a recovery contact.

However you chose to reset your password, with all the steps completed, you should be able to log into your account again. Try logging in to the iTunes Store or another Apple service with the new password to make sure it works. If it doesn't, go through this process again and make sure you keep track of your new password.

Why Your Apple ID Is so Important

Because your Apple ID is used so for many of Apple's important services, forgetting your Apple ID password can create a lot of problems. Without being able to log into your Apple ID, you may not be able to use iMessage or FaceTime, Apple Music, or the iTunes Store, and you won't be able to make changes to your ​iTunes account.

Most people use the same Apple ID for all their Apple services (technically you can use one Apple ID for things like FaceTime and iMessage and another for the iTunes Store, but most people don't do that). That makes forgetting your password a particularly serious problem.