You cannot see your Apple ID password after you create it

Apple does not show you your password once it is set. This is intentional — it is a security feature. If Apple stored passwords in a way that let them display them back to you, hackers who broke into Apple's systems could see them too.

What you can do instead: reset your password, change it to something new, or verify that a password you think you remember is correct by trying to sign in. If you have forgotten your password entirely, you will need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple intentionally does not let you view your password after creation, even if you are the account owner.
  • You can reset your Apple ID password on appleid.apple.com by answering security questions or using a recovery email address.
  • If you remember your password but want to change it, go to Settings on your device and choose Password & Security.
  • Two-factor authentication makes your account harder to break into, even if someone learns your password.

How to reset your password if you have forgotten it

Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" on the sign-in screen. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address). Apple will ask you to verify your identity in one of three ways: answer your security questions, use a recovery email address, or use a trusted device you have already signed into.

The fastest route is usually a trusted device — Apple sends a notification to a phone or Mac you have already used with this account, and you tap to confirm the password reset. If you do not have access to a trusted device, use the recovery email address if you set one up when you created your account. If neither works, answer your security questions. You will then create a new password.

Keep in mind that resetting your password will sign you out of all your devices. You will need to sign back in with the new password on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or any other device that uses this Apple ID.

How to change your password if you remember the current one

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security, then Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name, then Password, then Change Password.

You can also change your password on a Windows PC or Android phone by going to appleid.apple.com, signing in, clicking Password & Security, and selecting Change Password. No matter which device you use, you will stay signed in — changing your password is different from resetting it.

What to do if you think someone else knows your password

Change your password immediately using the steps above. Then turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already. This adds a second layer of security: even if someone has your password, they cannot sign into your account without a code that Apple sends to your phone.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Password & Security, and look for the Two-Factor Authentication section. If it says "Off," click Edit and follow the prompts. Apple will send a code to a trusted phone number you provide. You will need to enter that code to complete the setup.

After you turn on two-factor authentication, check which devices are signed into your account. On appleid.apple.com, click Devices under your name. If you see a device you do not recognize, click it and select Remove from Account. This will sign out anyone using that device with your Apple ID.

How to verify a password without changing it

The only way to test whether a password is correct is to try signing in. Go to appleid.apple.com and enter your Apple ID and the password you think is right. If it works, you will see your account page. If it does not work, Apple will tell you the password is incorrect and offer to help you reset it.

If you are trying to remember whether you use a particular password across multiple accounts, do not guess repeatedly — too many wrong attempts will lock you out temporarily. Instead, use the password reset option.

Why Apple does not store passwords where you can see them

When you create a password, Apple converts it into a long string of characters called a hash using a mathematical process that only goes one direction. Apple stores the hash, not the password itself. When you sign in, Apple hashes what you type and compares it to the stored hash. If they match, you are in.

This means even Apple employees cannot see your password. If a hacker steals Apple's password database, they get hashes, not passwords. Hashing makes passwords much harder to crack than if Apple stored them in plain text. This is why you cannot retrieve a forgotten password — there is nothing to retrieve.

What to do if you cannot reset your password

If you cannot answer your security questions, do not have access to your recovery email, and do not have a trusted device, Apple has a longer recovery process. Go to appleid.apple.com, click "Forgot Apple ID or password?", and select "Do not have access to these options?" at the bottom of the screen. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your credit card or other account information, then send you a recovery code by mail. This process takes several days.

To avoid this situation, set up a recovery email address and a recovery phone number now, even if you do not need them yet. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Password & Security, and add both. Write down your security questions and answers somewhere safe — not in a note on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Apple support tell me what my password is?

No. Apple support cannot see your password and cannot tell you what it is. They can help you reset it, but you will have to create a new one. If you contact Apple support, have your recovery email or phone number ready.

What if I use the same password for Apple ID and other accounts?

Change it. If someone breaks into one account, they can try the same password on others. Use a different password for each important account — Apple ID, email, banking, and work accounts especially. A password manager like iCloud Keychain can store them securely.

Does resetting my password delete my data?

No. Resetting your password does not delete photos, messages, or files. It only changes how you sign in. You will need to sign back into your devices with the new password, but your data stays on your phone and in iCloud.

Will changing my password affect my subscriptions?

No. Subscriptions to Apple Music, iCloud+, or apps you have paid for stay active. You will just need to sign in again on your devices after you change your password.