Where your Apple ID password is stored

Your Apple ID password is not stored anywhere you can look it up — Apple does not keep a copy you can retrieve. Instead, Apple stores only a mathematical fingerprint of your password. This means if you forget it, you cannot recover the original password itself. You will need to reset it to something new.

If you remember your password and want to confirm it works, the fastest way is to sign out of your Apple account on any device and sign back in. If you cannot remember it, follow the reset process in the next section.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple does not store your password in a way that lets you look it up — you can only reset it to a new one.
  • You can reset your password on Apple's account page at iforgot.apple.com, or through Settings on any Apple device you own.
  • You will need access to your recovery email address or a trusted phone number to prove you own the account.
  • If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, you can use your recovery key or answer security questions instead.
  • After you reset your password, you will need to sign in again on all your devices.

Reset your password on a computer or web browser

Go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address), then click the arrow to continue. Apple will ask you to verify your identity — you have three options: receive a code by email, receive a code by text message to a trusted phone number, or answer your security questions.

Choose whichever option you have access to right now. If you choose email, check the inbox of the recovery email address linked to your account — Apple will send a six-digit code there. If you choose text message, the code will arrive on the phone number you registered with Apple. Enter the code on the iforgot.apple.com page, then create a new password. Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include a number, an uppercase letter, and a lowercase letter.

Once you have set a new password, you will be signed out of your Apple account on all your devices. You will need to sign back in using your new password.

Reset your password on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security. Tap Change Password, then follow the prompts. You may be asked to verify your identity using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode before you can change your password.

On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name in the sidebar, then click Password. Click the lock icon in the bottom left, enter your Mac password, then click Change Apple ID Password. Follow the prompts to create a new password.

If your device asks you to verify your identity and you cannot use Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode, you will need to use the web method at iforgot.apple.com instead.

What to do if you do not have access to your recovery email or phone

If the recovery email address no longer works or you no longer have the phone number on file, you have two other ways to prove you own the account. First, check whether you saved a recovery key when you set up two-factor authentication. A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple gives you as a backup. If you have it written down somewhere, you can use it to reset your password at iforgot.apple.com.

If you do not have a recovery key, you can answer your security questions instead. These are the questions you chose when you created your Apple ID — for example, "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?" You will need to answer at least two of them correctly. If you cannot remember the answers you chose, you may need to contact Apple Support for additional options.

Sign back in on all your devices after resetting

After you reset your password, you will be automatically signed out of your Apple account on every device — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other device linked to that account. This is a security measure to protect your account.

To sign back in, go to Settings on each device, tap or click your name, then enter your new password when prompted. You may also need to enter a six-digit verification code that Apple sends to a trusted device or phone number. Keep your devices nearby when you do this, because you will likely need access to at least one of them to complete the sign-in process.

Prevent this from happening again

Write your password down in a secure place, such as a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane are common choices) or a locked drawer. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor or save it in an unencrypted document on your computer.

If you use a password manager, you can generate a strong password — one that is long and random — and let the manager remember it for you. This is safer than trying to remember a password yourself, because you only need to remember the password to the password manager.

You should also set up two-factor authentication on your Apple account if you have not already. This adds a second layer of security: even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without a verification code sent to your phone or a trusted device. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Two-Factor Authentication and turn it on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without resetting it?

Yes. If you remember your current password, you can change it to a new one without resetting. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password and enter your current password first. On a Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > Password and click Change Apple ID Password. You will need to verify your identity with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.

What if I forgot my Apple ID email address too?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter any email address you think might be connected to your account. If it is not your Apple ID, Apple will tell you. You can also try signing in on any Apple device you own — the email address that appears in Settings is your Apple ID. If you still cannot find it, contact Apple Support with proof of purchase for one of your devices.

How long does it take to reset my password?

The reset itself is instant — you will have a new password as soon as you finish the process on iforgot.apple.com or in Settings. However, it can take a few minutes for the change to sync across all your devices. If you are still locked out after 15 minutes, try signing out and signing back in manually on each device.

Will resetting my password delete my photos or data?

No. Resetting your password does not delete anything. Your photos, messages, contacts, and other data will remain on your devices and in iCloud. You will just need to sign back in with your new password to access iCloud services again.

What if someone else has my Apple ID password?

Reset your password immediately using the steps above, then turn on two-factor authentication in Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security. Check your Apple ID account page at appleid.apple.com to see what devices are signed in and remove any you do not recognize. If you see suspicious activity, contact Apple Support.