Change your Apple password through Settings on any device, or online at iforgot.apple.com
Your Apple password protects your iCloud account, App Store purchases, and Apple services across all your devices. You can change it from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or through Apple's website. The fastest method depends on which device you have in front of you right now — all routes take about five minutes and require your current password or a recovery key.
Apple will sign you out of some services after you change your password, so you may need to sign back in on your devices. This is normal security behaviour and happens on purpose.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Change Password and enter your current password first.
- On Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Change Password and follow the same steps.
- Online at iforgot.apple.com, you can change your password without a device if you have access to your recovery email or phone number.
- Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol — Apple will reject it otherwise.
- After you change your password, you will need to sign back into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services on your devices.
Change your password on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. Tap Password and Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current Apple password when prompted — Apple requires this to prevent someone else from changing it if they have your device unlocked.
Type your new password twice to confirm it. Your password must contain at least eight characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. If your password does not meet these rules, Apple will show an error and ask you to try again. Tap Change when you are done.
You will see a message saying your password has been changed. Your iPhone will stay signed into iCloud, but you may need to sign back into the App Store and other services when you next open them.
Change your password on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click your name in the sidebar, then click Password and Security. Click the Change Password button.
Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. The same rules apply: at least eight characters, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol. Click Change Password when you are ready. Your Mac will confirm the change and you can close the window.
Change your password online at iforgot.apple.com
Go to iforgot.apple.com in any web browser. Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address) and click Continue. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using either your recovery email address or a phone number linked to your account.
If you choose email, check the inbox for a message from Apple and click the link inside it. If you choose phone, Apple will send a code to your device — enter it on the website. After you verify, you will be asked to create a new password. Follow the same rules: eight characters minimum, with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol.
This method works if you do not have access to your devices or if you cannot remember your current password. You do not need to enter your old password to change it this way.
What to do if you do not remember your current password
You cannot change your password through Settings if you do not know your current one — Apple requires it as a security check. Instead, use iforgot.apple.com and verify your identity through your recovery email or phone number. This is the only way forward if you have forgotten your password entirely.
If you have a recovery key (a 28-character code Apple gave you when you set up two-factor authentication), you can also use that to reset your password. Enter the recovery key on iforgot.apple.com when prompted, then create a new password.
What happens after you change your password
Apple will sign you out of iCloud on some devices, and you will need to sign back in with your new password. This usually happens on older devices or devices you have not used in a while. Your primary device (the one you changed the password on) typically stays signed in.
You will also need to sign back into the App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services the next time you open them. Have your new password ready. If you use your Apple ID to sign into apps on your iPhone or Mac, you may be asked to sign in again there too.
Create a strong password you can remember
Apple requires passwords to be complex, but that does not mean they have to be random strings you cannot remember. A strong password often works better as a phrase: for example, "MyDog8RunsFast!" meets all the rules and is easier to type than "Kx9#mP2q".
Write your new password down in a secure place — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a notebook you keep safe. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone. If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, you can store it there and let the app fill it in automatically when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my password delete my photos or data?
No. Your password only controls access to your account. Your photos, files, and data stay in iCloud and on your devices. You will just need to sign back in with the new password to access them.
Do I need to change my password on every device?
No. You change your password once, in one place. All your devices will be notified and you will need to sign back in on each one, but you do not need to change it separately on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad.
What if I get an error saying my password is too weak?
Apple rejected it because it does not meet the rules. Make sure your password has at least eight characters, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, at least one number, and at least one symbol (like !, @, #, or $). Try again with a password that includes all five elements.
Can I change my Apple password if I do not have two-factor authentication turned on?
Yes. You can change your password through Settings on your device, or online at iforgot.apple.com using your recovery email. Two-factor authentication makes it more secure, but it is not required to change your password.
How often should I change my Apple password?
There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password somewhere else and that site was breached, or if you simply want to. Once a year is reasonable if you want a regular habit.