You can't see your current Apple ID password, but you can reset it in minutes

Apple doesn't show you your password anywhere — not in Settings, not in your account page, nowhere. That's intentional: it's a security feature. But if you've forgotten it, you can reset it to something new using your trusted device, recovery email, or phone number. The reset process takes about five minutes and works whether you're locked out of your iPhone, Mac, or just trying to sign into a new device.

The method you use depends on what you still have access to. If you can unlock any Apple device you've used before, that's your fastest route. If not, you'll use your recovery email or phone number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple doesn't display your password anywhere — you can only reset it to create a new one.
  • If you can unlock any iPhone, iPad, or Mac you've used with that Apple ID, use that device to reset your password in Settings.
  • If you don't have access to a trusted device, go to iforgot.apple.com and use your recovery email or phone number to reset it.
  • Two-factor authentication makes the reset faster but requires you to confirm on a trusted device or receive a code by text or email.
  • After you reset your password, you'll need to sign back into your apps and services with the new one.

Reset your password from a device you can unlock

This is the fastest method if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that you've already signed into with your Apple ID. You don't need to remember your old password — you just need to be able to unlock the device itself.

On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security. Tap Change Password. You'll be asked to unlock your device with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. After you unlock it, enter a new password twice and tap Change. That's it — your password is reset immediately.

On Mac: Open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Password & Security. Click Change Password. You'll be asked for your Mac login password. Enter it, then create and confirm your new Apple ID password. Click Change Password to finish.

After you reset your password, you may see a prompt asking you to sign back into iCloud or other services. Do this right away — if you don't, some features like iCloud sync or Find My may stop working until you do.

Reset your password using your recovery email or phone number

If you don't have access to a trusted device, use Apple's account recovery page at iforgot.apple.com. You'll need either your recovery email address or the phone number linked to your account.

Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID (usually your email address). Click Continue. You'll see two options: "Don't have access to your trusted phone number?" and a list of recovery methods. Choose either your recovery email or your phone number. If you choose email, Apple sends a reset link to that address — click the link and create a new password. If you choose your phone number, you'll receive a code by text message — enter that code on the website and then create your new password.

The recovery email and phone number are set up in your Apple ID account settings. If you don't remember which email or phone number you used, try the ones you think are most likely. If none of them work, you may need to contact Apple Support to verify your identity before you can reset your password.

What to do if you don't have access to your recovery email or phone

If you can't access the email address or phone number linked to your account, you'll need to verify your identity with Apple directly. Contact Apple Support through their website or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. Have your device serial number ready — you can find this in Settings on iPhone or iPad, or in System Settings on Mac.

Apple will ask you questions about your account history and may ask you to provide proof of purchase for devices linked to your Apple ID. This process usually takes longer than a standard password reset, sometimes a few days, because Apple needs to confirm you're the real account owner before giving you access back.

While you wait, you won't be able to sign into iCloud, the App Store, or other Apple services with that account. If you have a second Apple ID, you can use that to download apps and access some services in the meantime.

Two-factor authentication makes password resets more secure

If you turned on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID (which Apple now enables by default on most accounts), the reset process includes an extra security step. After you enter your recovery email or phone number, Apple sends a verification code to a trusted device or to your phone number. You have to enter that code before you can create a new password.

This is actually faster than it sounds — the code arrives within seconds, and you just type it in. But it does mean you need access to one of those trusted devices or phone numbers. If you don't, you'll need to contact Apple Support as described above.

You can see whether two-factor authentication is on by going to iforgot.apple.com and starting the reset process. If you're asked for a code, it's on. If you're not, it's off.

Sign back into your apps and services after resetting

Once your password is reset, you're not done yet. You need to sign back into the services that use your Apple ID. On your iPhone or iPad, you may see a prompt to sign back into iCloud — do this right away. On your Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, and sign back in if needed.

For apps that use your Apple ID (like the App Store, Apple Music, or iCloud Drive), you'll need to sign out and sign back in. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Then sign back in with your new password. On Mac, open System Preferences, click your name, and do the same.

Some apps may ask you to re-enter your password the next time you use them. This is normal — just use your new password. If an app keeps asking for your old password, try signing out of that app specifically and signing back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my current Apple ID password anywhere?

No. Apple doesn't store your password where you can view it, and they don't show it to you in Settings or on your account page. This is a security choice — if your account is compromised, the attacker can't see your password. You can only reset it to create a new one.

What if I reset my password but still can't sign in?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes a moment for the new password to work across all Apple servers. Then try signing out completely and signing back in. If you're on iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. Then sign back in with your new password. If it still doesn't work, restart your device and try again.

Do I need to change my password on all my devices?

No. Once you reset your password, it works on all your devices automatically. However, you may see prompts asking you to sign back in on some devices — do this when you see the prompt. After you sign back in once, you won't need to do it again unless you sign out.

What happens to my data if I reset my password?

Your data is safe. Resetting your password doesn't delete anything — your photos, emails, contacts, and other data stay in iCloud. You just need to sign back in so your devices can access it again.

How long does a password reset take?

If you use a trusted device, it's instant — you change it in Settings and you're done. If you use your recovery email or phone number, the reset link or code arrives within seconds. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes.