Your Apple ID is the email address or phone number you use to sign into Apple services

Your Apple ID is the account that connects you to everything Apple: iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, iMessage, Find My iPhone, and your device backups. It is almost always the email address you chose when you first set up an Apple device, though some older accounts use a phone number instead. If you have ever bought an app, stored photos in iCloud, or used Siri, you have an Apple ID.

The fastest way to find it is to look at any Apple device you own. On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, your Apple ID appears in the Settings or System Preferences under your name at the top of the screen. If you do not have a device handy, you can visit appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" — entering your email or phone number will show you which ID is linked to that contact method.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple ID is the email address or phone number you use to sign into Apple devices and services, and it controls access to your photos, purchases, and backups.
  • You can find your Apple ID by opening Settings on any Apple device and looking at the name at the top, or by visiting appleid.apple.com.
  • Your Apple ID is also your iCloud account, so changing the password to your Apple ID changes the password to your iCloud storage and backups.
  • If you have forgotten which email address you used, you can recover it by answering security questions or using a recovery email address you set up when you created the account.

Check your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for your Apple ID

The easiest place to find your Apple ID is on a device you already use. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the very top of the screen, and you will see your Apple ID displayed under it. On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), and your name and Apple ID appear at the top of the window.

If you share a device with family members, make sure you are looking at your own account. Each person who uses the device has their own Settings section. On a shared iPad, you may need to swipe up from the bottom to see the account switcher, or check Settings under your own name rather than the device owner's name.

Use Apple's account recovery page if you do not have a device

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser. Click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" at the bottom of the sign-in box. Enter the email address or phone number you think you used, and Apple will either show you the Apple ID linked to it or ask you to answer security questions to confirm your identity.

If you do not remember which email you used, try the addresses you use most often — your work email, personal email, or the one associated with your phone number. Apple will tell you if an account exists for that address. If none of your guesses work, you can use the recovery email address you set up when you created the account (Apple asks for this during setup, though many people skip it).

Understand what your Apple ID controls

Your Apple ID is the master key to your Apple account. It controls your iCloud storage, which backs up your photos, contacts, calendar, and device settings. It is also the account you use to buy apps, music, books, and movies from the App Store and iTunes. If you use Apple Pay, your payment methods are stored under your Apple ID. Your Find My iPhone service, which lets you locate a lost device, also runs through your Apple ID.

Because your Apple ID controls so much, protecting it is important. If someone gains access to your Apple ID, they can see your photos, read your backups, make purchases, or lock you out of your own devices. This is why Apple asks for a password and often a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone) when you sign in on a new device.

Know the difference between your Apple ID and your iCloud email

Your Apple ID and your iCloud email address are related but not always the same thing. Your Apple ID is the account itself — usually the email you chose when you set up your first Apple device. Your iCloud email (the address ending in @icloud.com) is a mailbox you can use, but it is optional. Some people use their Apple ID to access iCloud without ever using the iCloud email address.

If you created an iCloud email address, you can use either that address or your original Apple ID email to sign into Apple services. Both work. If you change your Apple ID password, your iCloud email password changes too, because they are the same account.

What to do if you cannot remember your password

Go to appleid.apple.com and click "Forgot Apple ID or password?" Enter your Apple ID email address or phone number. Apple will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions you set up when you created the account, or by entering a code sent to a trusted phone number or recovery email.

Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password. Make it different from passwords you have used before, and use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down in a safe place, or use a password manager to store it. If you set up two-factor authentication (which Apple recommends), you will also need to approve the password change on a trusted device.

Protect your Apple ID with a strong password and two-factor authentication

Your Apple ID password should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birth date, or words from the dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used for other accounts — if one account is breached, a password thief will try that same password on your Apple ID.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of protection. When it is turned on, anyone trying to sign into your Apple ID from a new device has to enter a code that Apple sends to your phone. This means even if someone knows your password, they cannot access your account without your phone. You can turn on two-factor authentication in Settings on any Apple device, under your name, then Password and Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one Apple ID?

Yes, you can create multiple Apple IDs using different email addresses. However, you can only sign into one Apple ID on a device at a time. If you have multiple IDs, you will need to sign out of one and sign in to another to switch between them. Most people use one Apple ID for everything.

What if I think someone else has access to my Apple ID?

Change your password when ready at appleid.apple.com. Then go to Settings on your device, tap your name, select Password and Security, and look at the list of devices signed into your account. If you see a device you do not recognize, tap it and select "Remove from Account." Turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already.

Can I change my Apple ID email address?

Yes, you can change the email address associated with your Apple ID, though the process takes time. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and select Edit next to your Apple ID. You can add a new email address and make it your primary one. Apple will send a verification code to the new address before the change takes effect.

What happens to my data if I forget my Apple ID password?

Your data stays safe in iCloud, but you cannot access it until you reset your password. Use the recovery process at appleid.apple.com to verify your identity and create a new password. If you cannot verify your identity, you may need to contact Apple Support with proof of purchase for your device.

Is my Apple ID the same as my iTunes account?

If you had an iTunes account before Apple merged it with iCloud, your iTunes account and Apple ID are now the same thing. You sign into both with the same email and password. All your music, apps, and purchases are linked to this single account.