Where to find your Apple ID password settings
You cannot see your actual Apple ID password anywhere in your account settings — Apple does not store it in a way that lets you view it. Instead, you can reset it, change it to something new, or verify that a password you think you remember is correct by trying to sign in.
If you remember your password and want to confirm it works, the fastest way is to sign out of one device and sign back in using that password. If you cannot remember it, you will need to reset it through Apple's account recovery process, which takes a few minutes and requires access to your recovery email or phone number.
The steps differ depending on whether you are on an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or a web browser, but the underlying process is the same: you either test the password by signing in, or you start a password reset.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not show you your password in settings — you can only reset it or test it by signing in again.
- To verify a password you think you remember, sign out of any device and try signing 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 resets require you to answer security questions, use a recovery email, or confirm a trusted device.
- After resetting your password, you will need to sign in again on all your devices.
Testing a password you think you remember
The simplest way to check whether a password works is to use it. On any Apple device, sign out of your Apple ID account, then try signing back in with the password you want to test. If it works, you have confirmed it. If it does not work, you will see an error message telling you the password is incorrect.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out." You will be asked to enter your password to turn off Find My iPhone — use the password you want to test here. After signing out, tap "Sign In" and enter the same password again. On a Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name, scroll down, and click "Sign Out." Then sign back in.
This method works only if you can remember a password to try. If you have no idea what your password might be, you will need to reset it instead.
Resetting your password on iforgot.apple.com
If you cannot remember your password, go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Enter your Apple ID (the email address associated with your account), and Apple will ask you to verify your identity. You have three main options: answer your security questions, use a recovery email address, or confirm a trusted device.
Security questions are the ones you set up when you created your Apple ID — Apple asks two of them at random. If you remember the answers, you can proceed when ready. A recovery email is a backup email address you provided to Apple; they will send a link to that address, and you click it to reset your password. A trusted device is any iPhone, iPad, or Mac you have already signed into with this Apple ID — Apple sends a notification to that device, you approve it, and then you can create a new password.
After you choose one of these methods and verify your identity, you will be taken to a screen where you enter a new password. Apple requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Once you save the new password, it takes effect when ready on iforgot.apple.com, but you will need to sign in again on each of your devices using the new password.
Resetting your password on your device
You can also start a password reset directly from any Apple device without going to a website. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, tap "Password & Security," and tap "Change Password." On a Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, click "Password & Security," and click "Change Password." You will be asked to enter your current password first — if you do not remember it, tap or click "Forgot password?" to go through the recovery process instead.
If you choose "Forgot password?" from your device, Apple will ask you to verify your identity using the same three methods available on iforgot.apple.com: security questions, recovery email, or a trusted device. Once you verify, you create a new password right there on your device, and it syncs to your account when ready.
The advantage of resetting from your device is that you stay signed in during the process — you do not have to sign out and back in afterward. On a web browser, you will need to sign in again after resetting.
What to do if you cannot verify your identity
If you do not remember your security question answers, do not have access to your recovery email, and do not have a trusted device, Apple has a longer recovery process called Account Recovery. You start this by going to iforgot.apple.com, entering your Apple ID, and selecting "I don't have access to any of these options" or similar language (the exact wording changes depending on which verification method you try first).
Account Recovery requires you to wait a period of time — usually a few days to a week — while Apple verifies your identity through other means. During this time, you cannot use your Apple ID to sign in to new devices, but your existing devices continue to work. After the waiting period, you will receive an email asking you to confirm your identity again, and then you can set a new password.
This process exists to prevent someone else from taking over your account if they have your email address. It is slower than the standard reset, but it is more find.
Changing your password regularly
Once you have reset your password or confirmed it works, consider changing it periodically — every few months is reasonable. A strong Apple ID password should be different from passwords you use for other accounts, at least 12 characters long if possible, and should not contain your name, birth date, or other information someone could guess.
You can change your password anytime by going to Settings (or System Settings on Mac), tapping or clicking your name, selecting "Password & Security," and choosing "Change Password." You will need to enter your current password first. After you change it, you will be signed out of all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Apple ID password in iCloud settings?
No. Apple does not display your password anywhere in iCloud settings, on your device, or on the web. You can only reset it or test it by signing in. If you need to know whether a specific password is correct, try signing out and signing back in with that password.
What if I reset my password but still cannot sign in?
After resetting your password, wait a few minutes for the change to sync across Apple's servers — sometimes it takes a moment. Then try signing in again on your device. If you still see an error, make sure you are entering the new password exactly as you created it, including capital letters and symbols. If you are still stuck, try resetting from a different device or browser.
Do I need to change my password on every device after resetting it?
Yes. After you reset your password, you will be signed out of all your devices. You will need to sign back in on each one using your new password. Your devices will not automatically update to the new password.
What happens if I forget my security questions?
If you forget your security question answers, use one of the other verification methods: your recovery email or a trusted device. If you do not have access to either of those, you can start Apple's Account Recovery process, which takes several days but does not require you to remember the answers.
Is it safe to write down my Apple ID password?
Writing down your password on paper and storing it in a find place (like a locked drawer) is safer than using the same password everywhere or writing it on a sticky note on your monitor. A better option is to use a password manager like iCloud Keychain, which stores your password securely and fills it in automatically when you need it.