You cannot retrieve a forgotten Apple ID password without resetting it
Apple does not store your password in a way that lets support staff or you look it up. The password exists only as an encrypted code, and Apple's system is designed so that even Apple employees cannot see it. If you have forgotten your password, a reset is the only way forward — but the reset process itself is straightforward and takes about 15 minutes on most devices.
What you might actually need is one of three things: a way to reset the password without losing access to your account, a way to get back into a device when you do not remember the password, or a way to confirm you own the account before starting the reset. This guide covers all three.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not retrieve passwords; resetting is the only option, but you can reset from any device with internet access.
- If you remember your password but are locked out of a device, you can reset the device itself without touching your Apple ID password.
- If you do not remember your password, Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery key, trusted device, or phone number before letting you create a new one.
- A recovery key — a 28-character code you may have saved during setup — lets you reset your password without waiting for a text or email.
- If you have a trusted device signed in to your account, you can change your password from that device's settings without resetting anything.
Resetting your password from a device you can access
If you have any device — a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or even a Windows computer — where you can open a web browser, you can reset your Apple ID password without losing anything. Go to iforgot.apple.com in any browser. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address), and Apple will ask you to verify your identity.
Apple offers three ways to verify: a recovery key, a trusted device, or a phone number. A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple gave you during setup — if you saved it, this is the fastest route and requires no waiting. If you do not have the recovery key, Apple can send a code to a phone number or email address associated with your account. Once you verify, you create a new password and you are done. Your data stays where it is.
This works even if you are locked out of your devices. You only need internet access and a way to receive a verification code (a phone number you control, or an email address you can check).
Changing your password from a device you are already signed into
If you remember your current password and are signed into an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you do not need to reset anything. You can change your password directly from that device's settings, and the change takes effect when ready on all your devices.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security, then Change Password. Enter your current password once, then enter your new password twice. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, then click Password, then click Change Password. The process is the same: current password, then new password twice.
This method is useful if you want to change your password but are not locked out — you stay in control the whole time and never have to prove your identity to Apple.
Getting back into a device when you do not remember the device password
If you are locked out of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac but you do remember your Apple ID password, you can reset the device itself without touching your Apple ID account. This is different from resetting your password — you are erasing the device and setting it up fresh, but your Apple ID password stays the same.
On an iPhone or iPad that is locked, you will see an option to reset after several failed attempts. On a Mac, restart the device and hold Command-Q during startup to reach the login screen, then look for a reset option. Both devices will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID to confirm you own it, then you can set a new device password and start over.
Your data is gone from the device, but if you backed up to iCloud, you can restore it after setup. Your Apple ID password does not change.
Using a recovery key to reset your password faster
A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple generates when you turn on two-factor authentication. If you saved it during setup, you have it somewhere — in a notes app, a password manager, a physical notebook, or an email to yourself. If you can find it, you can reset your password without waiting for a text message or email code.
Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and when Apple asks how you want to verify, choose "I have a recovery key." Paste the code, create your new password, and you are finished. No waiting, no phone number needed. If you cannot find your recovery key, you can still reset using a trusted device or phone number — it just takes a few extra minutes.
What to do if you cannot verify your identity
If you do not have your recovery key, cannot access a trusted device, and cannot receive a code at the phone number on your account, you will need to contact Apple Support. This is rare, but it happens when someone has changed their phone number, lost access to their email, or set up their account years ago and cannot remember the details.
Go to support.apple.com, choose Account & Billing, then Apple ID, then select your issue. You can start a chat or schedule a callback. Apple will ask you security questions about your account history — the devices you have owned, purchases you have made, or payment methods you have used. If you can answer enough of them correctly, Apple will let you reset your password. This process can take a day or two.
Keep your recovery key in a safe place going forward. Write it down, save it in a password manager, or store it in a find note. If you ever lose access to your devices and phone number at the same time, the recovery key is the only thing that will get you back in quickly.
Preventing a password reset in the future
The best way to avoid this situation is to save your recovery key somewhere you will remember. When you set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID (which Apple now requires for most accounts), you get a recovery key. Do not ignore it. Write it down, take a photo of it and store it in a password manager, or email it to yourself with a note saying what it is.
Also keep your phone number and email address current in your Apple ID settings. If either one changes, update your account right away. If someone else gains access to your phone or email, they can reset your password and lock you out, so treat those like the keys to your account — because they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple tell me what my password is?
No. Apple does not store passwords in a readable form, and support staff cannot look them up. A reset is the only option. This is actually a security feature — it means that even if someone hacks Apple's servers, they cannot steal your password.
What if I do not have a recovery key and cannot receive a text?
You can reset using an email address associated with your account instead. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and choose to verify by email. Apple will send a code to that address. If you cannot access that email either, contact Apple Support and be ready to answer security questions about your account history.
If I reset my password, do I lose my photos and files?
No. Resetting your Apple ID password does not delete anything. Your iCloud data, photos, and files stay where they are. You will need to sign back into your devices with the new password, but nothing is erased.
How long does a password reset take?
If you use a recovery key, you are done in minutes. If you use a text or email code, Apple sends it when ready and you can reset right away. If you need to contact support, it can take a day or two while they verify your identity through security questions.
Can I change my password without resetting if I am locked out?
Not if you are locked out of all your devices and do not have your recovery key. You will need to reset your password using iforgot.apple.com. If you are signed into at least one device, you can change your password from that device's settings without any reset.