You cannot see your Apple ID password once it's set, but you can reset it in minutes

Apple does not show you your password for security reasons — even you cannot view it after you create it. This is intentional. If you need to know whether you remember your password correctly, the fastest way is to try signing into a device or service with it. If it does not work, you can reset it through your Apple ID account page or through any Apple device you already own.

The reset process takes about five minutes and does not require you to remember the old password. You will need access to a trusted phone number or email address linked to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple stores passwords in a way that prevents even Apple employees from reading them, so you cannot retrieve your old password — you can only reset it to a new one.
  • The easiest reset method is through Settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac you already own, because you are already signed in.
  • If you do not have an Apple device, you can reset your password at appleid.apple.com using a recovery email or phone number.
  • You will need to verify your identity using a code sent to a trusted email or phone before the reset is complete.
  • After you reset your password, you may need to sign in again on devices that use the old password.

Reset your password through an Apple device you own

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that you are already signed into with your Apple ID, this is the fastest route. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security. On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name, then click Password. Tap or click Change Password.

Apple will ask you to enter your device passcode or use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm it is really you. Then you create a new password. The new password must be at least eight characters long and include a number, an uppercase letter, and a lowercase letter. You do not need to remember your old password.

After you reset it, sign out and back in on any other devices using your new password. Some devices may ask you to do this right away; others will remind you the next time you restart.

Reset your password at appleid.apple.com if you do not have an Apple device

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" at the bottom of the sign-in box. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address) and click Continue. Apple will ask you to choose between receiving a code by email or by phone.

Pick whichever method you can access right now. If you choose email, Apple sends a six-digit code to the recovery email address on your account. If you choose phone, you receive a call or text to the recovery phone number. Enter the code on the website, then create your new password using the same rules as above: at least eight characters, with a number, an uppercase letter, and a lowercase letter.

Once you finish, you can sign in with your new password on any device or service that uses your Apple ID.

What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone number

If you no longer have access to the email address or phone number on your account, the reset process takes longer. On the appleid.apple.com page, after you enter your Apple ID, Apple will offer Account Recovery as an option. Click it. You will answer security questions you set up when you created your account, or provide information about recent purchases or devices.

Apple uses this information to verify you are the account owner. The process can take a few hours or up to three days depending on what information you provide. Once Apple confirms your identity, you can reset your password.

If you do not remember the security questions or cannot provide the information Apple asks for, you may need to contact Apple Support directly. Have your device serial number or a recent receipt ready when you call.

Update your password on all your devices after you reset it

After you create a new password, your devices will prompt you to sign in again the next time they need to connect to Apple services — usually within a few days. Some devices, like iPhones and Macs, will ask you when ready. Others, like Apple Watches or HomePods, may wait until the next time they sync.

You do not have to update them all at once, but devices using the old password will not be able to read apps, access iCloud, or use other Apple services until you sign in with the new one. If you have many devices, update the ones you use most often first.

Keep your new password somewhere you can find it

After you reset your password, write it down or save it in a password manager — a program like 1Password, Bitwarden, or the built-in password manager in your browser that stores passwords encrypted. Do not email it to yourself or text it to someone. Do not write it on a sticky note and leave it on your monitor.

A password manager is the safest option because it encrypts your passwords and fills them in automatically, so you do not have to type them. If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change that now — each account should have its own unique password so that if one account is compromised, the others stay safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Apple tell me what my old password was?

No. Apple uses encryption that makes passwords unreadable even to Apple staff. If you need your old password for another service, you will have to reset that service's password too. If you use the same password in multiple places, this is a good time to change all of them to different passwords.

Do I have to reset my password if I just forgot it?

Yes. There is no way to retrieve a forgotten password. The reset process is the only option. It takes about five minutes and does not require you to know the old password.

What if I reset my password but still cannot sign in?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes the change takes time to sync across Apple's servers. Then try again. If you still cannot sign in, make sure you are using the correct email address as your Apple ID and that you typed the new password correctly. If you are still stuck, contact Apple Support.

Will resetting my password erase my data?

No. Resetting your password does not delete anything. Your photos, messages, documents, and other data stay on your devices and in iCloud. You just need to sign in again with the new password on devices that ask for it.

Can someone reset my password without my permission?

Not easily. Apple requires you to verify your identity using a code sent to your recovery email or phone before the reset goes through. If someone has access to both your Apple ID email and your recovery phone number, they could reset it. This is why it matters to keep your recovery email and phone number current and find.