Change your password on any device or through Apple's website

You can change your Apple ID password from an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Windows computer, or by visiting Apple's account page in a web browser. The steps differ slightly depending on which device you use, but the process takes about five minutes on any of them. You'll need to know your current password or have access to a recovery email or phone number linked to your account.

Apple requires you to change your password if you suspect someone has accessed your account, if you've used the same password on multiple services, or simply as regular maintenance. After you change it, you'll be signed out of your account on all devices and will need to sign back in with your new password.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Change Password and follow the prompts.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Change Password.
  • On Windows, visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, select Security, and choose Change Password.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character.
  • You'll be signed out of all devices after changing your password and must sign back in manually.

Change your password on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. Tap Password and Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current password when prompted, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Tap Change in the upper right corner.

Your device will show a confirmation message. You'll be signed out of iCloud and other Apple services on that device, and you may need to sign back in with your new password to use services like iCloud Drive, Photos, Mail, or Find My iPhone.

Change your password on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click your name in the sidebar, then click Password and Security. Click the lock icon in the lower left if it's locked, then click Change Password.

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Change Password to confirm. Like on iPhone, you'll be signed out of iCloud services and will need to sign back in.

Change your password on Windows

Open a web browser and go to appleid.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Click Security in the left sidebar, then click Change Password next to your password field. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Change Password.

If you're using an Apple service on Windows (such as iCloud for Windows or iTunes), you may need to sign out and sign back in with your new password on that application as well.

Password requirements and what happens after you change it

Apple requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (such as !, @, #, $, %, or &). Avoid using your name, Apple ID email, or sequences like 123 or abc. If your new password doesn't meet these requirements, Apple will ask you to try again.

After you change your password, you'll be signed out of your Apple ID on all devices and browsers. You'll need to sign back in manually on each device using your new password. This can take a few minutes to sync across all your devices. If you use two-factor authentication (which Apple recommends), you'll also need to enter a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number when you sign back in.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you forget your new password shortly after changing it, you can reset it using a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the prompts. Apple will send a reset link to your recovery email or a code to your recovery phone number.

If you don't have access to your recovery email or phone, you can answer security questions you set up when you created your account. Keep your recovery information current so you can regain access if you need to reset your password in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on every device?

No. Change it once through Settings, System Settings, or appleid.apple.com, and Apple will sign you out everywhere. You then sign back in on each device with your new password. You don't need to change it separately on each one.

What if I don't remember my current password?

You can still change it by going to iforgot.apple.com and using your recovery email or phone number to verify your identity. Apple will send you a reset link or code, and you can create a new password without entering the old one.

Will changing my password affect my stored payment methods or subscriptions?

No. Your payment methods, subscriptions, and purchases remain active. You'll just need to sign back in with your new password to manage them or make new purchases.

How often should I change my Apple ID password?

Apple doesn't require regular password changes, but security experts recommend changing it if you suspect unauthorized access, if you've reused it on other services, or every year as a precaution. Two-factor authentication provides strong protection even if your password is compromised.