How to Change Your iTunes Username and Password

Change your iTunes account username and password from your device or computer

You change your iTunes username (your Apple ID email) and password through your Apple ID account settings, not through iTunes itself. The process differs slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows PC, or the web. Your username is the email address linked to your Apple ID — you cannot change it to a different email without creating a new account, but you can change the password protecting it from any device where you are signed in.

iTunes and the App Store both use your Apple ID for purchases and downloads. If you change your password, you will be signed out of iTunes on all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password. This protects your account if you think someone else knows your old password.

Key Takeaways

Your iTunes username is the email address on your Apple ID account, and you cannot change it to a different email without creating a new Apple ID.
You change your password through Apple ID settings on your device, on a Mac or Windows computer, or at appleid.apple.com in a web browser.
After you change your password, you will be signed out of iTunes and the App Store on all devices and must sign back in with the new password.
If you forget your password, you can reset it using a recovery email address or phone number linked to your Apple ID.
Two-factor authentication adds a security layer that requires you to approve sign-ins from new devices with a code sent to your phone.

Change your password on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. The new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Tap Change or Update to confirm.

You will be signed out of iTunes and the App Store when ready. The next time you try to read an app, make an in-app purchase, or access your account, you will be asked to sign in with your new password. Other devices linked to your Apple ID will also sign out and ask for the new password the next time they connect to the internet.

Change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (on earlier versions). Click your name or Apple ID at the top of the sidebar. Click Password & Security on the left. Click Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change.

If you use an older Mac with iTunes as a separate app, you do not change your password inside iTunes — you change it in System Preferences or System Settings the same way. iTunes will sign you out and ask for your new password the next time you try to read or purchase music, apps, or other content.

Change your password on Windows

Open iTunes and click Account in the menu bar at the top (if you do not see a menu bar, press Ctrl + B). Click View My Account and sign in if prompted. Click Edit next to your Apple ID name. Click Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change.

If you are using the newer Apple Music app instead of iTunes, open the app and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner. Click Settings, then Account. Click Change Password and follow the same steps. You will be signed out of the app and asked to sign back in with your new password.

Change your password on the web

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser and sign in with your Apple ID email and current password. Click Password & Security on the left side. Click Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change Password. You will be signed out of the website and asked to sign in again with your new password.

This method works from any computer or phone and does not require iTunes or Apple apps to be installed. If you are using a shared computer, sign out of your Apple ID account after you finish — do not leave yourself signed in on someone else's device.

What to do if you cannot remember your current password

If you do not know your current password, you cannot change it using the steps above. Instead, you must reset your password. Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or a phone number linked to your account. You will receive a link or code to reset your password.

If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can answer security questions you set up when you created your Apple ID. After you verify your identity, you can create a new password. This process takes a few minutes and does not require you to contact Apple support.

Set up two-factor authentication for extra security

Two-factor authentication requires you to approve new sign-ins with a code sent to a trusted phone number. This means that even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign into your account from a new device without access to your phone. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then Password & Security, and turn on Two-Factor Authentication. On Mac, open System Settings or System Preferences, click your name, click Password & Security, and click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.

On Windows, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Password & Security, and click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication. You will need a phone number where you can receive text messages or calls. After you turn it on, the next time you sign into iTunes or the App Store from a new device, you will be asked to enter a six-digit code sent to your phone. This adds a layer of protection without making sign-in significantly slower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my iTunes username to a different email address?

No. Your iTunes username is your Apple ID email address, and you cannot change it to a different email. If you want to use a different email address, you must create a new Apple ID with that email. Your purchases and apps will stay linked to your original Apple ID and will not transfer to the new one.

Will changing my password sign me out of iTunes on all my devices?

Yes. After you change your password, you will be signed out of iTunes, the App Store, and iCloud on all devices linked to your Apple ID. You will need to sign back in with your new password on each device. This usually happens automatically the next time each device connects to the internet.

What should I do if I think someone else knows my password?

Change your password when ready using one of the methods above. If you also think someone may have access to your recovery email or phone number, go to appleid.apple.com and update your security information. Consider turning on two-factor authentication so that future sign-ins require a code sent to your phone.

How long does it take for the password change to take effect on all my devices?

The password change takes effect when ready on the device where you made the change. Other devices will sign out and ask for your new password the next time they connect to the internet, usually within a few minutes. If a device does not sign out within an hour, restart it and connect to the internet again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.