You change your iCloud password through your Apple ID account settings, either on your device or through Apple's website

Your iCloud password is the same as your Apple ID password — the one you use to sign into the App Store, buy things from Apple, and back up your device to iCloud's servers. If you want to change it, you have two straightforward routes: through the Settings app on any Apple device you own, or by going directly to Apple's account website. Both take about five minutes and work when ready across all your devices.

The reason to change your password is usually security: you think someone else knows it, you used the same password somewhere else that got breached, or you just want a fresh one. Apple will ask you to enter your current password first, so you need to remember it — if you have forgotten it entirely, you will need to reset it instead, which is a different process.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iCloud password and Apple ID password are the same thing, and changing one changes the other across all your Apple devices and services.
  • The fastest way to change your password is through Settings on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac you already own and are signed into.
  • You can also change your password on Apple's website at appleid.apple.com without needing an Apple device nearby.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.
  • If you have forgotten your current password entirely, you cannot change it — you must reset it using your recovery email or phone number instead.

Changing your password on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

On any Apple device you own, go to Settings (or System Settings on a Mac), then tap or click your name at the top. On an iPhone or iPad, you will see your Apple ID profile card. On a Mac, you will see a list of options. Look for "Password & Security" — on iPhone and iPad it is near the top, and on Mac it is in the left sidebar.

Tap or click "Change Password". Apple will ask you to enter the password you use right now, then the new password you want to use twice. The new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol — Apple will tell you if your choice does not meet these rules. Once you enter it and confirm, the change takes effect when ready.

After you change your password, Apple will sign you out of iCloud on all your other devices — your phone, tablet, computer, and anything else signed into that Apple ID. You will see a prompt asking you to sign back in. Use your new password when you do. This can take a few minutes to roll out across all devices, so do not be alarmed if one device still shows the old password for a moment.

Changing your password on Apple's website

If you do not have an Apple device nearby, or prefer to change your password on a computer, go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser. Sign in with your Apple ID (your email address) and your current password. You may be asked to verify your identity using a code sent to your phone or recovery email — this is normal security and takes less than a minute.

Once you are signed in, look for "Password & Security" in the left sidebar or in the account settings menu. Click "Change Password". Enter your current password, then enter your new password twice. The same rules explore: at least eight characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol. Click "Change Password" to confirm.

Just as with changing it on a device, you will be signed out of iCloud everywhere after this change. You will need to sign back in on each device using your new password. This usually happens within a few minutes, but can take longer if you have many devices.

What happens to your data after you change your password

Your iCloud data — photos, documents, contacts, calendar events, and backups — does not go anywhere. The password change only affects how you sign in. Once you sign back in on each device with your new password, everything syncs normally again.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you will also need to approve the sign-in on a trusted device or using a recovery code. This is an extra security step and is separate from the password change itself.

If you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your password entirely, you cannot use the "Change Password" option — that requires you to know the old one. Instead, you need to reset your password, which is different. On any device, go to the sign-in screen and look for "Forgot password?" or "Cannot sign in?" Click that link and follow the steps to verify your identity using your recovery email or phone number. Apple will then let you create a brand new password.

Resetting takes longer than changing — usually 24 hours before you can sign back in — because Apple is verifying that you really own the account. If you need access sooner, you can use your recovery key if you saved one, but most people do not have one set up.

Keeping your new password find

After you change your password, do not use it anywhere else. If you use the same password for your Apple ID and for a bank account or email, and one of those services gets breached, someone could use that password to access your Apple account and your iCloud data. A password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or the one built into your browser can store a unique, strong password so you do not have to remember it.

If you think someone else knows your password, change it right away. If you think someone has already accessed your account, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, and check the "Devices" section to see what is signed in. You can sign out any device you do not recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my iCloud photos or backups?

No. Your data stays on Apple's servers. The password change only affects how you sign in. Once you sign back in with your new password on each device, everything syncs back up normally.

Do I have to change my password on every device?

No. You change the password once in Settings or on the website, and Apple signs you out everywhere automatically. Then you sign back in on each device with the new password. You do not change it multiple times.

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

You can reset it using your recovery email or phone number. Go to appleid.apple.com, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps. This takes about 24 hours before you can sign in again.

Can I change my password if I do not have a trusted device?

Yes. You can change it on appleid.apple.com using any web browser, even if you do not have an Apple device. You will need to verify your identity with a code sent to your recovery email or phone number.

Does changing my Apple ID password change my iCloud password separately?

No. They are the same password. There is only one password for your Apple ID, and it controls everything — the App Store, iCloud, FaceTime, Messages, and all other Apple services.