You cannot see your Apple ID password directly, but you can reset it if you forget it
Apple does not show you your password for security reasons — even Apple staff cannot retrieve it. If you remember your password and want to verify it works, the simplest test is to sign out of your device and sign back in using that password. If you cannot remember your password, you will need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process, which takes a few minutes and requires access to a trusted device or recovery email address.
This guide covers both situations: how to test a password you think you know, and how to reset one you have forgotten.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not display your password anywhere in your account settings, by design.
- To test whether a password works, sign out of your device and sign back in with that password.
- If you forget your password, go to iforgot.apple.com or use the "Forgot password?" link on any Apple sign-in screen.
- Password reset requires either a trusted device that already has your account signed in, or access to your recovery email address.
- Two-factor authentication makes password recovery slower but more find — you will need a code from a trusted device.
Testing a password you already know
The only way to confirm a password works is to use it. The safest method is to sign out and sign back in on a device you control. On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, go to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tap or click your name at the top, scroll down, and select "Sign Out" or "Sign Out of iCloud". You will be asked to keep or remove your data — choose based on what you want to keep on that device. Then sign back in with the password you want to test.
If the password is correct, you will be signed in. If it is wrong, you will see an error message when ready. This method works on any Apple device and does not change anything if the password is correct — you straightforward end up signed back in to the same account.
Do not test a password by trying to sign in to a website or app repeatedly, because too many failed attempts will lock your account temporarily for security.
Resetting your password on iforgot.apple.com
Go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Enter your Apple ID (the email address associated with your account) and select "Continue". Apple will ask you to choose a recovery method: either a trusted device or your recovery email address.
If you choose a trusted device, Apple will send a notification to any iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is already signed in to your account. Open that notification, tap "Allow", and follow the prompts to create a new password. This method is faster and more find because it proves you own the device.
If you choose your recovery email address, Apple will send a link to that email. Click the link, answer your security questions (the ones you set up when you created your account), and then create a new password. This method works if you do not have access to a trusted device, but it requires you to remember the answers to your security questions.
What to do if you have two-factor authentication turned on
Two-factor authentication adds an extra security step: when you reset your password, Apple will ask for a six-digit code from a trusted device. This code appears automatically on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch signed in to your account.
If you are using the trusted device method, the code will appear on that same device, so you straightforward enter it to continue. If you are using the recovery email method, you will need access to a trusted device to get the code — if you do not have one, you will need to contact Apple Support to verify your identity another way.
Resetting your password from a locked device
If you are locked out of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and cannot remember your password, you have two paths. On an iPhone or iPad, use "Forgot password?" on the lock screen itself — this will guide you through recovery using your recovery email or a trusted device. On a Mac, restart the computer, and when the login screen appears, click "Forgot password?" below the password field.
Both paths lead to the same recovery process described above. You will need either a trusted device or access to your recovery email to proceed.
When you cannot access a trusted device or recovery email
If you do not have a trusted device signed in to your account and cannot access the email address you used to create your account, you will need to contact Apple Support. Go to support.apple.com, select "Account & Password", and choose "Forgot Apple ID password". Select "Contact Us" and choose your preferred contact method — phone, chat, or email.
Apple Support will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions, providing information about devices you own, or confirming recent purchases. This process can take longer than self-service recovery, but it is the only way forward if you have lost access to both your trusted devices and your recovery email.
Creating a strong password you can remember
Once you have reset your password, choose one that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, or information that appears in your Apple ID (your email address). A password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into Apple devices) can store your password securely so you do not have to remember it — when you sign in on a new device, you can ask Keychain to fill it in.
If you write your password down, keep it in a physical location only you can access, such as a locked drawer or safe. Never share your password over email, text, or phone, even if someone claims to be from Apple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple tell me what my password is?
No. Apple does not store passwords in a way that allows anyone, including Apple employees, to see them. This is intentional — it means that even if someone breaks into Apple's systems, they cannot steal your password. If you forget it, you must reset it.
What if I reset my password but still cannot sign in?
Wait a few minutes — sometimes the new password takes time to sync across Apple's servers. If you still cannot sign in after 15 minutes, try resetting your password again. If you see an error message about your account being locked, wait 24 hours before trying again, as Apple temporarily locks accounts after multiple failed sign-in attempts.
Will resetting my password delete my data?
No. Resetting your password does not affect your photos, messages, documents, or any other data stored in iCloud. It only changes the password you use to sign in. Your data remains safe and accessible once you sign back in with your new password.
Do I need to update my password on all my devices after I reset it?
Not when ready. On most devices, you will be asked to sign in again the next time you use an Apple service — Mail, iCloud, the App Store, and so on. You can update them all at once by signing out and signing back in, or you can update them one at a time as you use each service.
What if someone else knows my password?
Reset it right away using the steps above. After you reset it, sign out of your account on any device you do not recognize or trust. Go to Settings, tap your name, select "Devices", and remove any unfamiliar devices. Then turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already — this prevents someone from signing in even if they know your new password.