Change your password from any device with internet access

You can change your Apple ID password on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any web browser by going to appleid.apple.com, signing in, and selecting Password and Security in the account settings. The process takes about five minutes. You will need to verify your identity first — Apple will send a code to a trusted device or phone number you have on file.

If you are changing your password because you think someone else has accessed your account, change it when ready, then review the Devices section to see what is signed in. You can sign out of any device remotely from that same page.

After you change your password, you will be signed out of all your devices. You will need to sign back in with the new password on each one — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other device that uses your Apple ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and select Password and Security to change your password from any device.
  • Apple will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to a trusted device or phone number before you can set a new password.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out everywhere and must sign back in on each device with the new password.
  • If you suspect someone else accessed your account, change your password when ready and check the Devices section to remove any unfamiliar sign-ins.
  • A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Step-by-step: changing your password on appleid.apple.com

Open a web browser and go to appleid.apple.com. Click Sign in in the top right corner. Enter your Apple ID email address and password, then click Next. If you have two-factor authentication turned on — which Apple recommends — you will see a prompt asking where you want to receive a verification code. Choose Get a code on another device if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby, or choose Get a code via SMS to receive it by text message.

Enter the code when it arrives. Once you are signed in, look for Password and Security in the left menu and click it. Click Change Password. Enter your current password again to confirm it is you. Then type your new password twice — once in the New Password field and once in the Confirm field. Click Change Password to save it.

Apple will show you a message confirming the change. You will be signed out of appleid.apple.com. Close the browser or sign out completely.

What to do after you change your password

Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices will ask you to sign in again within a few hours. You do not need to do anything — just wait for the prompt and enter your new password when it appears. If a device does not prompt you, go to Settings (iPhone or iPad) or System Settings (Mac), find your Apple ID account, and sign out manually, then sign back in with the new password.

Some apps that use your Apple ID — like iCloud Mail, Notes, or Reminders — may take longer to update. If an app shows an error about your password after you have signed back in, close the app completely and open it again. If the error persists, sign out of that app in Settings and sign back in.

If you use your Apple ID to sign in to apps on Android devices or Windows computers, you will need to update the password there as well. Go to the app's settings, find the account or login section, and enter your new Apple ID password.

Choosing a password that is hard to guess

A strong Apple ID password should be at least 12 characters long. Use a mix of uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid passwords that use your name, birthday, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not use the same password you use for email, banking, or other important accounts.

If you have trouble remembering a long password, consider using a password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into Apple devices), 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane. These tools store your password securely and fill it in automatically when you need to sign in.

If you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your Apple ID password and cannot sign in to appleid.apple.com, click Forgot password? on the sign-in page. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a trusted device, a recovery key, or your phone number. If you have a trusted iPhone, iPad, or Mac, that is usually the fastest route — Apple will send a notification asking you to approve the password reset.

If you do not have access to a trusted device, you can use a recovery key if you set one up in advance. A recovery key is a long code that Apple gives you when you turn on two-factor authentication. If you saved it somewhere safe, enter it on the password reset page. If you do not have a recovery key and cannot access a trusted device, you will need to verify your identity using your phone number and answers to security questions you set up when you created your account.

Removing devices that are no longer yours

After you change your password, go back to appleid.apple.com and sign in again with your new password. Click Devices in the left menu. You will see a list of every iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other device signed in to your Apple ID. Look for any device you do not recognize or no longer own.

Click on a device you want to remove, then click Remove from Account. That device will be signed out of your Apple ID when ready. It will no longer have access to your iCloud data, photos, or other information stored in your account. If the device is lost or stolen, removing it from your account is an important step to protect your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my photos, emails, or other data?

No. Changing your password does not delete anything. Your iCloud data, photos, emails, and files stay in your account. You will just need to sign back in on your devices with the new password to access them again.

How long does it take for my devices to ask me to sign in again?

Most devices will prompt you to sign in within a few hours. iPhones and iPads usually ask within 30 minutes to an hour. Macs may take longer. You can also manually sign out and sign back in when ready if you do not want to wait.

Can I change my password on my iPhone without using a computer?

Yes. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password and Security, and select Change Password. You will still need to verify your identity with a code sent to a trusted device or phone number.

What happens if I change my password but forget the new one right away?

You can reset it the same way you would if you forgot any Apple ID password — go to appleid.apple.com, click Forgot password?, and verify your identity using a trusted device, recovery key, or phone number and security questions.

Do I need to change my password if I think someone guessed it but did not access my account?

Yes. If you think your password is no longer secret, change it right away. Also turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already — it makes it much harder for someone to sign in even if they have your password.