You cannot retrieve your actual iCloud password, but you can reset it in minutes
Apple does not store your iCloud password in a way that lets anyone — including Apple support — look it up and tell you what it is. This is intentional security design. The good news is that resetting your password takes about five minutes, and you do not need to remember the old one. You will need access to a trusted device (an iPhone, iPad, or Mac you have used before with this account) or the phone number or email address connected to your account.
If you are locked out of all your devices and do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, the process takes longer but is still possible. Apple has a formal account recovery path that can take a few days.
Key Takeaways
- Apple cannot show you your password because they do not store it in readable form — you must reset it instead.
- The fastest reset uses a trusted device you have already signed into, and takes about five minutes.
- If you do not have a trusted device, you can reset using your recovery email or phone number.
- If you have lost access to all recovery methods, Apple's account recovery process can restore your account in a few days.
- After you reset your password, you will need to sign back into apps and services that use your iCloud account.
Reset your password using a trusted device
A trusted device is any iPhone, iPad, or Mac that you have already signed into with your iCloud account. If you have one of these, this is the fastest way to reset your password.
On an iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security. Tap Change Password. Enter your device passcode when prompted, then enter your new password twice. On a Mac: Open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Password. Click the lock icon in the bottom left, enter your Mac password, then click Change Password. Enter your new password twice.
After you reset, you will be signed out of some apps and services. You will need to sign back in with your new password. This usually happens automatically within a few minutes, but you can also do it manually by going to Settings (or System Settings on Mac) and signing back in.
Reset your password using your recovery email or phone number
If you do not have a trusted device nearby, you can reset your password using the recovery email address or phone number on your account. Go to iforgot.apple.com in a web browser on any computer or phone.
Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address), then click Continue. Apple will ask you to verify your identity. Choose either "Get an email" or "Answer security questions." If you choose email, Apple will send a reset link to your recovery email address — check that inbox and click the link. If you choose security questions, answer the questions you set up when you created your account, then create a new password.
If you do not remember your recovery email address or cannot access it, and you do not remember your security questions, move to the account recovery process described below.
Use account recovery if you have lost all other access methods
If you cannot access a trusted device, do not have a recovery email address you can reach, and cannot answer your security questions, Apple has a formal recovery process. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and select "I don't have access to these options." Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your device phone number or a recovery key (a code Apple gave you when you set up two-factor authentication).
If you do not have either of those, Apple will ask you to provide information about your account and recent purchases. This step can take a few days because Apple reviews your answers manually. You will receive an email when your account is ready for recovery. Once approved, you can set a new password.
This process exists specifically to prevent someone else from taking over your account, so Apple moves slowly on purpose. Plan for three to seven days if you reach this step.
What to do after you reset your password
After you create a new password, your iCloud account itself is when ready active again. However, apps and services that use your iCloud account may not update right away. Mail, Messages, Notes, Photos, and other Apple apps will usually prompt you to sign in again within a few minutes. You can also manually sign out and back in by going to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tapping your name, and signing in with your new password.
Third-party apps that connect to iCloud — like Gmail or Outlook if you added your iCloud email to them — will also need your new password. Go into each app's settings and update your iCloud password there.
Prevent this from happening again
Write your password down and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden. Do not store it in Notes or email, where someone with access to your devices could find it. Make sure you know your recovery email address and have access to the phone number on your account.
If you set up a recovery key (a long code Apple generates), save that in the same find place as your password. These three things — recovery email, phone number, and recovery key — are your backup plan if you forget your password again. Check once every few months that you can still reach the phone number and email address on your account, since these change when you switch providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple tell me what my password is?
No. Apple stores passwords in encrypted form and cannot read them back. Even Apple employees cannot see your password. You must reset it instead, which you can do at iforgot.apple.com or through a trusted device.
What if I forgot my password and my recovery email address too?
Use your phone number or a recovery key to verify your identity at iforgot.apple.com. If you do not have either, select "I don't have access to these options" and Apple will walk you through account recovery, which takes a few days.
Will resetting my password delete my photos or files?
No. Resetting your password only changes how you sign in. Your iCloud data stays on Apple's servers. You may need to sign back into apps after the reset, but your data is not affected.
Do I need to reset my password on every device?
No. Once you reset your password, it works across all your devices. You may be asked to sign in again on some apps, but you use the same new password on all of them.
What is a trusted device and how do I set one up?
A trusted device is any iPhone, iPad, or Mac you have already signed into with your iCloud account. You set one up automatically the first time you sign in. If you do not have a trusted device, you cannot use that reset method — use iforgot.apple.com instead.