Where to find your iCloud password
Your iCloud password is not stored anywhere you can look it up — Apple does not show it to you for security reasons. If you remember it, you can use it to sign into iCloud.com, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If you have forgotten it, you will need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process.
The password itself exists only in Apple's servers. What you can do is change it, which is different from finding it. When you change your iCloud password, you create a new one that replaces the old one everywhere — on all your devices, on iCloud.com, and in Apple's system.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not display your iCloud password anywhere because it is stored encrypted on their servers, not in a place you can retrieve it.
- If you remember your password, you can sign in at iCloud.com or on any Apple device without needing to find it anywhere.
- If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on iCloud.com, on your iPhone or iPad, or on a Mac by answering security questions or using a recovery key.
- Resetting your password will sign you out of all your devices, and you will need to sign back in with the new password.
- If you cannot answer your security questions and do not have a recovery key, you may need to verify your identity using your phone number or email address.
Resetting your password on iCloud.com
Go to iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address). Apple will ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a verification code by email or by text message to a phone number on your account.
Once you verify your identity, you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Type a password that is at least eight characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. After you save the new password, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices.
Resetting your password on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. You will be asked to enter your device passcode or use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm it is really you.
Type your new password twice to confirm it. The new password takes effect immediately. You may be asked to sign back into apps that use your Apple ID, and you will need to enter the new password on any other devices you own.
Resetting your password on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click your name, then click Password. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your Mac password to unlock it.
Click Change Password. Type your current iCloud password, then type your new password twice. After you save it, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices and will need to sign back in.
Using a recovery key if you cannot answer security questions
If you set up a recovery key when you created your Apple ID, you can use it to reset your password without answering security questions. A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple generates for you. You should have saved it somewhere safe, like a password manager or a physical notebook.
Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID. When asked how you want to verify your identity, select "I don't have my recovery key" or "I have my recovery key" depending on your situation. If you have the key, enter it. If you do not have it, you can verify your identity using your email address or phone number instead.
What happens after you reset your password
After you reset your password, you will be signed out of iCloud on every device you own — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other device linked to your Apple ID. You will need to sign back in on each device using your new password.
Some apps may ask you to sign in again. Mail, Photos, iCloud Drive, and other iCloud services will reconnect once you sign back in. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you will also need to enter a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number.
If you do not remember your Apple ID email address
Your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign into iCloud and the App Store. If you are not sure what email address you used, check any Apple device you own. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and look at the email shown there. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, click your name, and look at the email address displayed.
If you do not have access to any Apple device, you can try different email addresses at iforgot.apple.com. Apple will tell you whether each one is associated with an Apple ID. Once you find the right email address, you can proceed with resetting your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my iCloud password if I am signed in on my iPhone?
No. Apple does not display passwords anywhere in Settings or on iCloud.com. If you need to use your password on a different device, you will need to reset it and create a new one that you can then use on the other device.
What if I reset my password and then forget the new one?
You can reset it again using the same process at iforgot.apple.com. You will need to verify your identity using security questions, a recovery key, or a code sent to your email or phone number.
Will resetting my iCloud password delete my photos or files?
No. Resetting your password does not delete anything. Your photos, files, and data stay in iCloud. You will just need to sign back in with your new password to access them.
Do I need to change my password on each device separately?
No. When you reset your password, it changes everywhere at once. You will be signed out of all devices, but you only need to enter the new password once on each device when you sign back in.
What should I do if I cannot verify my identity at iforgot.apple.com?
If you cannot answer your security questions and do not have your recovery key, Apple can verify your identity using the phone number or email address on your account. You may also be able to contact Apple Support for additional verification options.