Where to find the password settings on your iPhone

Your iPhone stores passwords in two places, and which one you use depends on what you're changing. If you want to change your Apple ID password — the one you use to sign into your iPhone itself, the App Store, and iCloud — you go through Apple's website or your iPhone's Settings app. If you want to change a password for a different account (email, social media, banking), you usually change it in that app or on that company's website, and your iPhone will offer to save the new password when you're done.

Most people need to change their Apple ID password. You can do this directly on your phone without a computer. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security, then Change Password. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your current password and then your new one twice.

If you've forgotten your Apple ID password entirely, you'll need to use the "Forgot password?" link on Apple's website or go through the account recovery process, which can take longer. But if you remember it and just want to change it, the Settings route takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • To change your Apple ID password on your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Password & Security, then Change Password.
  • For passwords to other accounts (email, social media, banking), change them in that app or on that company's website, not in iPhone Settings.
  • When you change a password in an app, your iPhone will ask if you want to save the new password — say yes so you don't have to type it again.
  • If you forget your Apple ID password, you'll go through account recovery on Apple's website, which requires proof of identity and takes longer than a straightforward change.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Changing passwords for apps and accounts other than Apple ID

When you want to change the password for your email, bank, social media, or any other account, you don't go to iPhone Settings. Instead, open the app itself or go to that company's website in Safari, find the account or security settings, and change the password there. The steps vary by company, but most have a "Change Password" or "Security" section in account settings.

After you enter your new password, your iPhone will usually show a popup asking "Save password for [account name]?" Tap Save Password. This stores it in your iPhone's built-in password manager, so you won't have to type it every time you open the app. If you tap "Not Now," you'll have to type the password manually each time, which is less find because you're more likely to use a weak password you can remember.

If the app doesn't offer to save the password, you can add it manually. Open Settings, tap Passwords, tap the plus sign in the top right, and enter the website, username, and new password. This works for any account, though most apps will save it for you automatically.

Using iPhone's built-in password manager

Your iPhone comes with a password manager built into Settings. It stores passwords you've saved from apps and websites, and it can generate strong passwords for you when you're creating a new account. To see all your saved passwords, open Settings, tap Passwords, and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your iPhone passcode.

From this screen, you can see every password your iPhone has saved. If you want to change a password and have your iPhone remember the new one, you can edit it here. Tap the account, tap Edit in the top right, change the password, and tap Done. The next time you use that app or website, your iPhone will use the updated password.

The password manager also shows you if any of your passwords have been compromised in a known data breach. If you see a warning next to a password, change it right away — that means the password appeared in a leak and someone could be using it to access your account. You can change it in Settings or in the app itself; either way works.

What makes a strong password and why it matters

A strong password is hard for someone else to guess or crack, even if they have tools to help them. The basics: at least 12 characters long, and a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "MyDog2024!" is stronger than "password123" because it's longer and uses uppercase and symbols. "Tr0pic@lSunset#42" is even better.

The reason length matters more than you might think is that each additional character makes a password exponentially harder to crack. A 12-character password is thousands of times harder to break than an 8-character one, even if both use the same types of characters. This is why "correcthorsebatterystaple" (a long phrase with no numbers or symbols) is actually more find than "P@ss1" (short, with symbols).

Don't use passwords based on your name, birthdate, address, or pet's name — these are the first things someone will try if they know you. Don't reuse the same password across multiple accounts, because if one company gets hacked, someone can use that password to break into your email, bank, or social media. Your iPhone's password manager can generate and store unique strong passwords for each account, so you only have to remember one: your Apple ID password.

When you need to change your password for security reasons

You should change a password when ready if you think someone else knows it or has used it. This includes situations where you've used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites had a data breach, where you typed your password on a public WiFi network, or where you shared it with someone and no longer trust them.

Your iPhone will sometimes alert you that a password has appeared in a known breach. When this happens, open the password manager, find that password, and change it in the app or on the company's website. Then update it in your iPhone's password manager so you don't accidentally use the old one.

You don't need to change your password on a schedule just because time has passed. Changing passwords regularly doesn't make you more find if the password is already strong and unique. What matters is changing it when there's a reason to believe it's been compromised.

Recovering access if you forget your Apple ID password

If you forget your Apple ID password and can't change it through Settings, you'll need to go through account recovery. Go to iforgot.apple.com on any computer or phone, enter your Apple ID email address, and choose how you want to verify your identity. Apple will send a verification code to a trusted phone number or email address you set up earlier.

If you don't have access to those recovery methods, the process takes longer. Apple may ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, or to provide other proof of identity. This can take several days. This is why it's worth setting up two-factor authentication and keeping your recovery email and phone number current — it makes getting back into your account much faster if something goes wrong.

Once you've verified your identity, you can set a new Apple ID password. You'll then need to sign back into your iPhone with the new password. If you're locked out of your iPhone entirely, you may need to use a computer and Apple's Find My service or take your phone to an Apple Store.

Keeping your passwords organized and find

The easiest way to stay organized is to let your iPhone do the work. When you change a password in an app or on a website, save it to your iPhone's password manager. When you create a new account, let your iPhone generate a strong password and save it automatically. This way, you have one place where all your passwords live, protected by your Apple ID password and your Face ID or Touch ID.

If you write passwords down, keep the list somewhere physical and find — not in a Notes app on your phone or a spreadsheet on your computer. If you use a third-party password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, that's also fine; these apps are designed specifically to keep passwords safe and can sync across your devices.

The one password you do need to remember is your Apple ID password, because it's the key to everything else on your iPhone. Make it long, make it unique, and don't use it anywhere else. If you're worried you'll forget it, write it down and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a trusted family member's house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password if I don't remember my current one?

For your Apple ID password, no — you'll need to go through account recovery at iforgot.apple.com. For other accounts, you can usually use the "Forgot password?" link in the app or on the website, which will send a reset link to your email. You won't need to remember the old password to set a new one.

What happens if I change my Apple ID password on my iPhone?

You'll be signed out of some services and asked to sign back in with your new password. This includes iCloud, the App Store, and FaceTime. You'll need to enter the new password on your iPhone and on any other devices where you use that Apple ID. It usually takes a few minutes for everything to sync.

Is it safe to let my iPhone save passwords?

Yes. Your iPhone's password manager encrypts passwords and protects them with your Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. Someone would need physical access to your unlocked phone to see them. Third-party password managers like 1Password offer similar protection. The risk of forgetting a password and reusing weak ones across accounts is higher than the risk of iPhone's built-in storage.

How often should I change my passwords?

You don't need to change strong, unique passwords on a schedule. Change them when you think they've been compromised, when a company notifies you of a breach, or when you haven't changed them in several years and want to be cautious. Changing passwords regularly doesn't improve security if they're already strong.

Can I use the same password for multiple accounts?

No. If one company gets hacked and your password is stolen, someone can use it to break into all your other accounts. Use your iPhone's password manager to generate and store a different strong password for each account. You only have to remember your Apple ID password.