What you're actually changing on an iPad

When you change a password on an iPad, you're changing the Apple ID password — the one you use to sign into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. This is different from the screen lock passcode, which is the four- or six-digit code (or Face ID or Touch ID) that unlocks your device itself. Both matter for security, but they work separately. If someone gets your Apple ID password, they can read apps, access your photos in iCloud, and potentially lock you out of your own device. If someone gets your screen lock passcode, they can physically use your iPad.

This guide covers changing your Apple ID password. If you need to change your screen lock passcode instead, that's a different process done in Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models).

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Apple ID password through Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security, not through the App Store or iCloud settings alone.
  • Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a trusted device or phone number before letting you set a new password.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol.
  • After you change your password, you'll need to sign back in on any other devices where you use that Apple ID.

Step 1: Open Settings and find your account

Tap the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll to the top of the Settings menu and tap your name — it appears as a blue link with your profile picture or initials next to it. This takes you to your Apple ID account page.

If you don't see your name at the top of Settings, you may not be signed into an Apple ID on this iPad. You'll need to sign in first before you can change the password. Tap "Sign in to your iPad" and enter your Apple ID email and current password.

Step 2: Go to Password and Security

On your Apple ID page, tap Password and Security. This is where Apple keeps all the controls for your account security. You may see a message asking you to update your security settings — this is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong.

If you see "Two-Factor Authentication" listed as "On", that's good — it means your account is already protected. You'll use this two-factor verification to prove it's really you before you can change your password.

Step 3: Verify your identity

Tap Change Password. Apple will ask you to verify that you're the account owner. You'll see one of two options: verify using a trusted device, or verify using a phone number.

If you choose a trusted device, Apple will send a verification code to another iPhone, iPad, or Mac you've signed into with this Apple ID. Open that device, look for the notification, and tap it to see the code. Type that code into your iPad.

If you choose a phone number, Apple will send a text message or call to the phone number on file for your account. Enter the code from that message or call into your iPad.

Step 4: Create and confirm your new password

Once Apple confirms it's you, you'll see a box asking for your new password. Type a password that is at least 8 characters long. It must include uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and a symbol (!@#$%^&*). For example: BlueSky2024! or Maple$Tree99.

Avoid using your name, birthdate, or words that appear in a dictionary. Do not reuse a password you've used before on this account. Type the password again in the "Confirm" box to make sure you didn't make a typo. Tap Change.

Apple will show a confirmation message. Your password has now been changed. You'll stay signed into your iPad, but on any other device where you use this Apple ID — another iPad, an iPhone, a Mac, or an Apple Watch — you'll be asked to sign in again with your new password the next time you open the App Store or access iCloud.

What to do if you're locked out of your account

If you can't remember your current password and can't verify your identity using a trusted device or phone number, you'll need to use Apple's account recovery process. Go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will walk you through proving you own the account — this usually takes 24 hours or more.

During account recovery, you may lose access to your iCloud data temporarily, and you'll need to set up two-factor authentication again once your account is restored. This is why it's worth writing down your password somewhere safe (like a password manager) rather than relying on memory.

Why this password matters more than your screen lock

Your Apple ID password controls access to your entire Apple ecosystem. Someone with this password can change your recovery email, disable two-factor authentication, read apps that cost money, access your photos and documents in iCloud, and potentially erase your device remotely. Your screen lock passcode only protects your device if it's physically in someone's hands.

Change your Apple ID password if you've used the same one for more than a year, if you've shared it with anyone, or if you've entered it on a public or shared computer. You don't need to change it constantly — once a year or after a security incident is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password on all my Apple devices?

No. You change the password once through your Apple ID account settings (on any device or on a computer). After that, you'll need to sign back in on your other devices using the new password, but you don't change it separately on each one.

What if I don't have a trusted device to verify my identity?

Use the phone number option instead. Apple will text or call the phone number on file for your account. If you don't have access to that phone number anymore, you'll need to use Apple's account recovery process at iforgot.apple.com, which takes longer.

Can I use the same password I used before?

No. Apple won't let you reuse a password you've used on this account in the past. This is a security feature to prevent someone who knew an old password from getting back in.

Will changing my password sign me out of the App Store?

Not when ready on the iPad where you changed it — you'll stay signed in. But you'll be signed out on other devices and will need to sign back in with your new password the next time you try to read an app or access iCloud.

What if I forget my new password right after changing it?

Go back to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security and tap Change Password again. You'll need to verify your identity the same way you did before. Apple doesn't store your password, so they can't tell you what it is — you'll have to create a new one.