Where to find your Apple ID password
Your Apple ID password is not stored anywhere you can straightforward look it up — Apple does not keep a copy you can retrieve. Instead, you have two practical options: reset it through Apple's official recovery process, or check whether your device already has it saved.
If you remember your password, you are done — you already have it. If you do not remember it, you will need to reset it by answering security questions or using a recovery email address. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes and gives you a brand new password you choose yourself.
The fastest way to start is to visit iforgot.apple.com from any web browser on any device. This is Apple's official password recovery page, and it works the same whether you use an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Windows computer.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not store your password where you can retrieve it, so you must reset it through iforgot.apple.com if you have forgotten it.
- You can reset your password using a recovery email address, a trusted phone number, or security questions you set up when you created your account.
- If you have already signed into an Apple device, that device may have your password saved in its settings, though you cannot view the actual password characters.
- After you reset your password, you will need to sign out and sign back in on any devices that use your Apple ID.
Resetting your password through iforgot.apple.com
Go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Type in the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID, then click or tap the arrow to continue. Apple will ask you to verify your identity before letting you create a new password.
You will see three options for verification. The first is usually a recovery email address — an alternate email you set up when you created your Apple ID. Apple will send a link to that email, and clicking the link lets you reset your password when ready. This is the fastest route if you still have access to that email account.
The second option is a trusted phone number. Apple will send a code to that number via text or call, and you enter the code on the website to prove it is really you. The third option is to answer security questions you created when you set up your account — questions like "What was the name of your first pet?" If you remember those answers, you can reset your password without needing email or phone access.
Once you have verified your identity using any of these methods, you will be asked to create a new password. Make it something you can remember, at least 8 characters long, and containing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols if possible. Write it down somewhere safe until you are sure you will remember it.
Finding a saved password on your device
If you have already signed into your Apple ID on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, that device has your password stored — but you cannot see the actual characters. However, you can use the device to reset your password without needing to remember the old one.
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security. Tap Change Password and follow the prompts. Your device will guide you through creating a new one. On a Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click your name in the sidebar, then click Password. Click the lock icon in the bottom left, enter your Mac password, and you can change your Apple ID password from there.
This method works only if you are already signed in on that device. If you have been locked out of all your devices, you will need to use iforgot.apple.com instead.
What to do after you reset your password
Once you have created a new password, you do not need to do anything when ready — your devices will continue working. However, within a few days, Apple will ask you to sign in again on each device using your new password. This is a security measure to make sure only you have access.
If you want to speed this up, you can sign out manually and sign back in right away. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap Sign Out. On Mac, open System Settings, click your name, scroll down, and click Sign Out. Then sign back in with your new password.
If you use iCloud, Apple Mail, FaceTime, or other Apple services on a Windows computer, you may need to update your password there as well. Open the relevant app, go to settings or preferences, find the account section, and sign in again with your new password.
If you do not have access to recovery email or phone
If you cannot access the recovery email address or phone number linked to your account, you have one more option: contact Apple Support directly. Go to support.apple.com, click Contact Us, and choose your device type. You can request a phone call, start a chat, or schedule an appointment at an Apple Store.
Apple Support will ask you to verify your identity using information from your account — such as the last four digits of a payment method on file, the device serial number, or answers to your security questions. This process takes longer than using email or phone recovery, sometimes 24 to 48 hours, but it works when other methods are not available.
Keeping your new password find
After you reset your password, do not share it with anyone, and do not use the same password for other accounts like email or social media. If someone gains access to your Apple ID, they can change your password, lock you out of your devices, and access your photos, messages, and payment information.
Consider using a password manager — a tool that generates and stores strong passwords for you. Popular options include 1Password, Bitwarden, and LastPass. If you do not want to use a password manager, write your password down on paper and store it in a safe place, rather than writing it in a note on your phone or computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my Apple ID password if I am signed in on my iPhone?
No. Your iPhone stores your password but does not show you the characters. If you need to know your password for another device, you will need to reset it through iforgot.apple.com or use your iPhone to change it in Settings, then use the new password elsewhere.
What if I reset my password but forget the new one right away?
You can reset it again when ready using the same method — iforgot.apple.com, a recovery email, a trusted phone, or security questions. There is no limit to how many times you can reset your password.
Will resetting my password delete my photos or data?
No. Resetting your password does not delete anything. It only changes the password you use to sign in. Your photos, messages, and files in iCloud remain exactly as they are.
Do I need to change my password if someone else used my Apple ID?
Yes. If you believe someone else has accessed your account, reset your password when ready through iforgot.apple.com, then go to your Apple ID account page and review your devices and security settings to remove any devices you do not recognize.
What is a recovery email and how do I set one up?
A recovery email is an alternate email address Apple uses to help you regain access if you forget your password. You set it up when you create your Apple ID. To add or change it later, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Security, and look for Recovery Email in the Account section.