Forgot Your Apple ID Password? Here’s How to Reset It Easily

If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password or think your account has been compromised, don’t worry—regaining access is easier than you might think. Your Apple Account is the key to services like the App Store, iCloud, FaceTime, and Apple Music. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn when and how to reset your Apple ID password on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or web—quickly and securely.

When Should You Reset Your Apple ID Password?

You should reset your Apple ID password if:

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• You forgot your password. 
• Your account is locked or disabled. 
• You suspect unauthorized access. 
• You’re switching devices and want to secure your account.

What You Need Before Resetting Your Apple ID Password

To make the reset process smooth, ensure you have:

• The phone number or email address associated with your Apple Account.
• A trusted Apple device.
• Device passcode (if using your own Apple device).
• A stable internet connection.

How to Reset Your Apple ID Password 

Resetting your Apple ID password is simple. You can do it using any of your Apple devices or by visiting Apple’s Recover Your Apple Account webpage.

On iPhone or iPad

On your iPhone, you can reset your password via the Settings or Support app.

Via Settings:

Earlier, you needed to enter your current password first in order to choose a new password for your Apple Account; however, starting iOS 15, you can reset your Apple ID password using just your iPhone passcode, provided you are already signed in to iCloud.

1. Open Settings and tap your Name at the top. 
2. Here, tap Sign-in & Security. 
3. Now, tap Change Password under Security.
   
   
4. Enter your iPhone passcode. 
5. Next, enter your new password and verify it.
   
   

However, if, for some reason, you haven’t set up a passcode on your iPhone, you’ll need to first enter your current password before choosing a new password. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings → Your Name → Sign-in & Security → Change Password. 
2. Here, enter your current password first, then choose a new password. 
3. If you have forgotten your current password, tap Forgot Password. 
4. Now, verify using your trusted device and phone number. 
5. Once done, enter the new password and verify.

Note: If you have Recovery Key enabled in the Recovery Methods, Apple will ask you to enter it before choosing a new password.

Via the Apple Support app:

If you neither remember your current password nor have your Apple device at hand, you can use the Support app on your friend’s iPhone to change your Apple ID password.

1. Open the Support app and tap Reset Password under Support Tools. 
2. Here, tap Help Someone Else. 
3. Now, enter the phone number or email address associated with your Apple Account. No matter which of the two you enter here, you’ll be asked to enter the other on the subsequent menu. 
4. Next, enter your 28-character recovery key to continue. 
5. Finally, enter your new password and verify it.

On Mac

Resetting your Apple ID password on a Mac is nearly identical to how you do it on your iPhone. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings app and head to Apple Account settings. 
2. Here, select Sign-in & Security on the right. 
   
   
3. Next, click Change Password next to Password. 
   
   
4. Now, enter your Mac password to continue. 
   
   
5. Enter your new password, then verify it and click the Change button.
   
   

Using a Web Browser

If you have forgotten your current password and do not have a friend with an iPhone, you can reset your Apple ID password via any web browser. Here’s how:

1. Visit iforgot.apple.com and click/tap the Reset Password button.
   
   
2. Here, enter the phone number or email address associated with your Apple Account, followed by the Captcha code shown in the image. No matter which of the two you enter here, you’ll be asked to enter the other on the subsequent screen.
   
   
3. Apple will then send you a notification on all of the Apple devices where you are signed in to iCloud. You can access the notification on any of the devices and reset your Apple ID password.
4. If none of your Apple devices are signed in to iCloud, click/tap on Don’t have access to any of your Apple devices?
   
   
5. Now, select the option that suits you the best, and Apple will provide you with detailed instructions.
   
   

Can’t Reset Your Apple ID Password? Here’s What To Do

You won’t be able to reset your Apple ID password on your Apple device if your Apple Account is locked. Apple locks your Apple Account when it detects suspicious or potentially harmful activity to protect your account and personal data.

When your Apple Account gets locked, you might get a message like, “Your Apple ID has been locked for security reasons.”

Here’s how you can fix it:

1. Visit iforgot.apple.com and click/tap Reset Password. 
2. Enter your email address and captcha code. 
3. Select the appropriate option to unlock your account and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
   

Tips to Keep Your Apple ID Password Secured

Now that you know the importance of your Apple ID password, here are some tips to keep it secured:

• Enable two-factor authentication for your Apple Account.
• Choose a strong, unique password; you can do it by using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters in your password. 
• Review devices signed in with your Apple ID regularly to ensure no unauthorized device is signed in with your Apple ID. If one is found, remove it immediately and change your password. 
• Set up a recovery key and recovery contact.

Take Control of Your Apple ID Again

That’s pretty much it. Now you know that resetting your Apple ID password doesn’t have to be stressful, even if you are locked out of your account. Just follow the steps carefully to regain access to your account.

Did you get stuck at any step? If so, please share your experience or questions in the comment section; I’d love to help you troubleshoot.

Check out these helpful guides too:

• How to migrate purchases from one Apple Account to another Apple Account
• How to delete your Apple ID account (or deactivate it)
• How to use Apple Passkeys for secure sign-ins