Change your Apple ID password through Settings, System Preferences, or Apple's website

You can change your Apple ID password in three places: on an iPhone or iPad through Settings, on a Mac through System Preferences, or directly on Apple's account website. The fastest route is usually your device's settings if you're already signed in. If you're locked out or need to change the password before signing in anywhere, use Apple's website instead. All three methods reset the same password across your entire Apple account — email, iCloud, App Store, and everything else tied to that ID.

You'll need to know your current password or have access to a recovery email or phone number on file. Apple doesn't send password reset links by email the way most websites do; instead, it verifies your identity through a trusted device or recovery contact before letting you set a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password and enter your current password, then type the new one twice.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > [Your Name] > Password & Security, click Change Password, and follow the same steps.
  • On Apple's website at iforgot.apple.com, select "I want to change my password" and verify your identity using a trusted device or recovery email before creating a new one.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol — Apple enforces this automatically.
  • If you don't remember your current password, use iforgot.apple.com to reset it instead of trying to change it through device settings.

Change your password on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current Apple ID password when prompted, then type your new password twice. The password must contain at least eight characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, and a symbol. Tap Change or Update when you're done.

Your device will sign you out of some services briefly while the change takes effect, then sign you back in automatically. You may see a prompt to update your password in iCloud Keychain or other apps — this is normal and usually completes within a few minutes.

Change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer ones). Click your name or Apple ID at the top of the sidebar. Click Password & Security on the left. Click the Change Password button. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change.

Like on iPhone, your Mac will briefly disconnect from iCloud services and reconnect once the password is updated. If you use iCloud Keychain, you may be asked to update it with your new password — this is a security step and takes just a moment.

Change your password on Apple's website

Go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Select "I want to change my password" and enter your Apple ID email address. Click Continue. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using either a trusted device or a recovery email address. If you choose a trusted device, you'll see a verification code appear on that device — enter it on the website. If you choose email, Apple sends a link to your recovery email address.

Once you've verified, you'll be taken to a page where you can create your new password. Enter it twice, make sure it meets the requirements (eight characters minimum, uppercase, lowercase, number, symbol), and click Change Password. You'll see a confirmation message, and the change takes effect immediately.

What to do if you don't remember your current password

If you can't remember your password, don't try to change it through device settings — you'll need your current password to do that. Instead, go to iforgot.apple.com and select "I forgot my password." Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the verification steps using a trusted device or recovery email. Once verified, you can create a brand-new password without entering the old one.

This process is called a password reset rather than a change, but the end result is the same: you'll have a new password that works everywhere your Apple ID is used. If you don't have access to a trusted device or recovery email, you may need to contact Apple Support to verify your identity through other means.

Password requirements and what happens after you change it

Apple requires all passwords to be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You cannot use spaces, and you cannot reuse a password you've used in the past. If you try to create a password that doesn't meet these rules, Apple will reject it and ask you to try again.

After you change your password, you'll be signed out of your Apple ID on some or all of your devices. You'll need to sign back in using your new password. This usually happens automatically within a few minutes, but you can also sign in manually by going to Settings or System Preferences and entering your new password. Any apps that use your Apple ID — like the App Store, iCloud, or Apple Music — will prompt you to update your password the next time you use them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of everything?

You'll be signed out of some services temporarily while the change syncs across Apple's servers, usually within a few minutes. You'll be signed back in automatically on most devices. On older devices or apps that don't update automatically, you may need to sign in manually with your new password.

Can I change my password if I'm locked out of my account?

If you're locked out, you'll need to use iforgot.apple.com to reset your password instead. A reset lets you create a new password without knowing the old one, as long as you can verify your identity through a trusted device or recovery email.

What if I don't have a trusted device or recovery email?

Contact Apple Support. They can verify your identity through other methods, like answering security questions or confirming purchase history. This takes longer than the standard process but ensures your account stays secure.

Do I need to change my password on each device separately?

No. Changing your password in one place — Settings, System Preferences, or the website — updates it everywhere. You'll just need to sign in again with the new password on each device.

How often should I change my Apple ID password?

Apple doesn't require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you suspect someone else knows it, if you've used the same password on other websites that were breached, or if you haven't changed it in several years. A strong, unique password that you don't reuse elsewhere is more important than how often you change it.