But mistakes may happen, and you might lose access to your Apple account as a result of a forgotten password or another blunder. Don’t freak out if you find yourself in this predicament; here’s how to get back in.
Reset your Apple ID password from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Resetting your Apple ID password is comparatively simple if you’re fortunate enough to already be logged in to an Apple device using your Apple ID.
Using an iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings, then tap on the button with your name and profile picture.
- Go to Password & Security > Change Password.
- You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode, and once you do, you can enter a new password for your Apple ID. (Note that this option won’t be available if you don’t have a passcode set up for your device.)
The process is very similar on a Mac.
- Go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security.
- Click Change Password and enter your computer’s password.
Reset your password with another Apple device
You can use the Apple Support app to reset your password if you don’t have access to any Apple devices but do have access to an Apple Store or a friend or family member who has an iPhone or iPad.
- Go to the App Store and download the app, either using the link above or by searching for “Apple Support” in the store.
- Once you open the app, you should see a screen displaying details about the Apple device you’re using. (If you’re on the homepage with a list of devices instead, just select the device from the list.) Tap the Passwords and Security button.
- Go to Reset Apple ID password > Get Started and select A different Apple ID.
- Tap Continue and enter your Apple ID.
Your Apple account’s settings and the devices you have connected to it will determine the next steps. For instance, Apple might text a code to your phone number and then ask you to enter a passcode you previously used on an Apple device. You’ll be asked to enter a new password if you’re successful in completing those procedures. If you’re unable to, the app will probably point you toward the procedure for recovering your account, which we’ll discuss below.
If you don’t have access to an Apple device
You will have to go through the account recovery process if you can’t access another Apple device. It’s sad, but the way things are, if you don’t have access to one of Apple’s devices, you have to go through this process.
According to a support page from the corporation, the account recovery procedure for Apple takes “many days or longer.” According to Apple, this is done to give you time to cancel any malicious requests made by someone else who might be trying to access your account, as well as to give the company time to check to see if any of your Apple devices are in use during that time in order to confirm that you are the one trying to reset your password.
The steps below can be used to launch it through the Apple Support app or online.
- To begin, go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID. It may also ask you to confirm your phone number.
- Depending on your account settings, you’ll be shown a variety of options, all of which require having access to a logged-in device or an iPhone or iPad, such as tapping a notification on your iPhone or iPad or using the Apple Support app.
- If none of them work for you, click the Can’t use any of these options? link. From there, you’ll be able to start the account recovery process.
- You may have to provide a verification number sent to you via text or email. (If you only have access to the latter, you’ll also likely be asked to enter a phone number in case Apple tries to contact you.) After you do so, the wait will begin.
Apple states in its account recovery support document that it may use a number of methods, such as requesting information about the credit card it has on file and/or sending you a code through email to your primary address, to try to expedite the account recovery process. (Several times, it emphasizes that calling Apple Support is not a method for accelerating the procedure.)
Following the waiting period, you’ll get a text or call with information on how to regain access to your account.
