Change your iCloud password through Settings on your device or through Apple's website

You can change your iCloud password in two ways: directly on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or by visiting Apple's account website from any browser. The fastest method depends on which device you have nearby. On an Apple device, you go through Settings (or System Preferences on a Mac) and find your account section. If you don't have an Apple device handy or prefer using a computer, you can visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, and change your password from there.

Your iCloud password is the same as your Apple ID password — they're one and the same. Changing one changes the other across all your Apple services, including email, iCloud Drive, Photos, and the App Store. You'll need to know your current password to make the change, unless you've forgotten it (which has a separate recovery process).

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select Password & Security, then tap Change Password.
  • On a Mac, open System Preferences, click your Apple ID account, go to Password & Security, and select Change Password.
  • On any device with a browser, visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, and choose Password & Security from the left menu.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, unless you've forgotten it and need to use account recovery instead.
  • After you change your password, you may need to sign in again on some devices, and two-factor authentication codes will be sent to your trusted devices.

Changing your password on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the very top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID account page. Scroll down and tap Password & Security. You'll see an option that says "Change Password" — tap it.

Enter your current iCloud password when prompted. Then create a new password that's at least eight characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Apple will tell you if your password is too weak. Type the new password twice to confirm it matches, then tap "Change" or "Done" depending on your iOS version.

Your device will sign you out of iCloud and then sign you back in automatically. This process usually takes a few seconds. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you'll receive a verification code on one of your trusted devices — approve it to complete the sign-in.

Changing 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 Macs running Monterey or later). Look for your Apple ID account name in the sidebar or at the top of the window and click it.

Select Password & Security from the options on the left. You'll see a "Change Password" button — click it. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Your new password must be at least eight characters and include a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

After you confirm the change, your Mac will sign out of iCloud services and sign back in. This may take a minute or two. You might see prompts to re-enter your password for Mail, Calendar, or other apps that use iCloud — this is normal and expected.

Changing your password through Apple's website

Go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser on any device. Sign in with your Apple ID (your email address) and your current password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll receive a verification code on one of your trusted devices — enter it to proceed.

Once you're signed in, look for Password & Security in the left sidebar menu. Click it, then click the "Change Password" option. Enter your current password, then create and confirm your new password. The same rules apply: at least eight characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

Click "Change Password" to save your new password. You'll be signed out of the website automatically. The next time you try to access your Apple ID account or use an Apple service, you'll need to sign in with your new password.

What happens after you change your password

All your Apple devices will eventually sign out of iCloud and prompt you to sign back in with your new password. This doesn't happen instantly on every device — it may take a few minutes or longer depending on how many devices you own and whether they're currently connected to the internet. Check each device and sign in when prompted.

If you use iCloud Mail, you may need to re-enter your password in Mail apps on your computer or phone. The same applies to Calendar, Contacts, and other apps that sync through iCloud. This is a security measure and is normal behavior.

If you have an Apple Watch, it will need to be re-paired with your iPhone after a password change. Put your watch near your iPhone, open the Watch app, go to the General tab, and follow the prompts to re-pair it.

If you forgot your current password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't use the "Change Password" option — you'll need to use Apple's account recovery process instead. On any device, go to iforgot.apple.com and select "I forgot my Apple ID password." Follow the prompts to verify your identity using your email address, phone number, or security questions.

Apple will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link, create a new password, and you'll be able to sign back into your account. This process is separate from the regular password change and doesn't require you to know your old password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on every device?

No. When you change your iCloud password, it updates across your entire Apple account. Each device will prompt you to sign in again with the new password, but you only make the change once — in Settings, System Preferences, or on appleid.apple.com. After that, the system handles the rest.

Will changing my password delete my iCloud data?

No. Your photos, documents, email, and other iCloud data remain exactly where they are. Changing your password only affects how you sign in — it doesn't touch the data itself. You'll still have access to everything once you sign back in on your devices.

How often should I change my iCloud password?

There's no set rule, but changing it every few months is reasonable if you want to be cautious. If you suspect someone has accessed your account or you've used the same password on multiple websites, change it right away. Apple will notify you if there's suspicious activity on your account.

What if I can't sign back in after changing my password?

Make sure you're typing your new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive. If you're certain it's correct and still can't sign in, try resetting your password through iforgot.apple.com. If you have two-factor authentication on, check that you're approving the sign-in request on a trusted device.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Apple doesn't prevent you from reusing an old password, but it's not recommended for security reasons. Each time you change your password, use something new that you haven't used for your Apple ID before.