The fastest way to access your Apple account

Your Apple account — called an Apple ID — is the password you use to sign into iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the Apple website. To access it, go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser, click "Sign in", and enter the email address or phone number linked to your account, then your password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple enables by default for most accounts), you'll receive a code on a trusted device and must enter it to finish signing in.

On an Apple device itself, you don't need to visit a website. Instead, open Settings on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on Mac, tap or click your name at the top, and you're already viewing your account. If you're not signed in, you'll see a "Sign in" button there instead. The process is the same: enter your email or phone number, then your password, then the two-factor code if prompted.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit appleid.apple.com in any web browser to access your account from a computer, or open Settings on your Apple device and tap your name.
  • You will need the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID and your password.
  • If two-factor authentication is on, Apple will send a code to a device you've already signed in on, and you must enter it to finish signing in.
  • Once signed in, you can change your password, add payment methods, manage which devices are linked to your account, and update your personal information.
  • If you don't remember your password or can't receive the two-factor code, Apple offers recovery options through the same sign-in page.

What to do if you don't remember your password

On the sign-in page at appleid.apple.com, after you enter your email or phone number, look for the text "Forgot Apple ID or password?" and click it. Apple will ask whether you want to reset your password or find your Apple ID. Choose "Reset your password".

Apple will then ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by email (sent to the email address on your account) or by phone (texted or called to the phone number on your account). Enter the code you receive, then create a new password. Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol — for example, BlueSky42! or Garden#Tomato8.

On an Apple device, the process is similar. When you try to sign in and enter your email or phone number, tap "Forgot password?" and follow the same verification steps.

Signing in on a new device

When you sign into an Apple device for the first time with your Apple ID, the device becomes linked to your account. During setup, the device will ask for your Apple ID email or phone number and password. If two-factor authentication is on, Apple will send a code to another device you already own — usually your iPhone or Mac — and you must enter that code on the new device to finish signing in.

This is a security measure: it confirms that you own both devices. If you don't have access to your other device at that moment, you can wait 30 days and try again, or you can turn off two-factor authentication on your account (though Apple does not recommend this). To turn it off, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click "Security", and look for the two-factor authentication section.

Once you're signed in on a new device, your photos, contacts, calendar, and other data stored in iCloud will begin syncing to that device automatically, depending on which services you have turned on in Settings.

Managing what's connected to your account

After you sign in at appleid.apple.com, you can see every device currently linked to your Apple ID. Click "Devices" to view the list. Each device shows its name, model, and the last date it connected to your account. If you see a device you don't recognize or no longer use, you can click it and select "Remove from account".

Removing a device from your account will sign you out of iCloud on that device, which means it will stop syncing your photos, contacts, and other data. It will not erase the device itself. If you want to erase the device, you must do that separately through its own Settings.

You can also see which apps and websites have permission to access your Apple ID. Click "Apps and Websites" to view them. If you see an app you no longer use, you can click it and select "Stop using Apple ID" to revoke its access.

Updating your payment method and personal information

Your Apple ID stores a payment method (usually a credit or debit card) that you use to buy apps, music, books, and other content from Apple. To add or change your payment method, sign in at appleid.apple.com, click "Payment and Shipping", and enter your card details. You can store multiple cards and choose which one is your default.

You can also update your name, phone number, email address, and other personal information from the same page. Click "Personal Information" and edit any field. If you want to change the primary email address linked to your Apple ID (the one you use to sign in), click "Edit" next to your email and follow the prompts. Apple will send a verification code to the new email address to confirm the change.

What to do if you're locked out of your account

If you can't sign in because you don't remember your password and you can't receive the two-factor code, Apple offers a recovery process. On the sign-in page, click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" and then choose "Can't access your account?" at the bottom. Apple will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account — questions like "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?"

If you don't remember the answers to your security questions, you can ask Apple to send a recovery code to the email address on your account instead. This process can take several hours or longer. You can also contact Apple Support by visiting support.apple.com, clicking "Contact Us", and choosing your device type. Apple Support can verify your identity through other means and help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one Apple ID?

Yes. You can create multiple Apple IDs using different email addresses, and each one is a separate account. However, on a single device, you can only be signed into one Apple ID at a time for iCloud services. You can sign into a different Apple ID on the App Store while using a different one for iCloud, but this can cause confusion with your data and purchases.

What happens if I forget my Apple ID email address?

Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" Then choose "Find your Apple ID". Enter your first name, last name, and the email address or phone number you think might be associated with it. Apple will search and tell you if an account exists. If you still can't find it, contact Apple Support.

Is my Apple ID the same as my iCloud email?

Not necessarily. Your Apple ID is the email address or phone number you use to sign in. Your iCloud email (the one that ends in @icloud.com) is a separate email address that comes with your account. You can use either one to sign in, but they are different things.

Can I change my Apple ID email address?

Yes. Sign in at appleid.apple.com, click "Personal Information", and click "Edit" next to your email address. You can change it to a different email address. Apple will send a verification code to the new address to confirm the change. Your old email address will no longer work to sign in.

What should I do if I think someone else has access to my account?

Change your password when ready by going to appleid.apple.com, clicking "Forgot Apple ID or password?", and following the reset steps. Then review your "Devices" and "Apps and Websites" sections to remove anything you don't recognize. If you see unfamiliar purchases, contact Apple Support to report them.