Your Apple ID is your key to using the integrated services of Apple’s ecosystem, including the App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple Music. You also need one to set up any new Apple device. As with any password, if you think it may have been compromised, you should change it immediately. It’s also a good idea to change it every few months to help keep it extra secure.
When you do choose a new password, you’ll need to think of one that’s at least eight characters long and uses at least one number, one uppercase letter, and one lowercase letter. You also can’t reuse a password from the last year.
Here are the steps you’ll need to take to change your Apple ID password. Bear in mind that these will only work if you know your current password. If you’ve forgotten it entirely, you will need to go through Apple’s reset password process, which you can initiate from any of your Apple devices.
On your iOS device
- On your iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch, go to Settings, tap on your name at the top, and choose Password & Security.
- Choose Change Password.
- You’ll be prompted to enter your device passcode and then enter a new password and confirm it.
- Tap Change.
- Back at the main Settings screen, sign in with your new password to access Apple features and services.
Use Apple’s System Preferences window to change your password on your Mac.
Image: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
On your Mac
- Click on the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner, choose System Preferences, and then click the Apple ID tile.
- Click on Password & Security.
- Click on Change Password.
- Enter the password you use to unlock your Mac computer.
- Enter your new password and verify it.
- Click on Change.
You can also change your password on Apple’s website.
Image: Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
On the web
- Go to appleid.apple.com.
- Click on Sign In in the top menu bar and sign in to your Apple ID account.
- Select Sign-In and Security in the side menu.
- Select Password.
- Enter your current password, and then enter a new password and confirm it.
- You can also choose to sign out of all Apple devices and websites here by selecting the checkbox.
- Click Change Password.
Apple users know how important their Apple ID and password are. Without these, you can't access Apple services like iCloud and iMessage. An Apple ID and password are also necessary to set up new Apple devices -- like any of the new iPhone 14 models, Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra.
If you forgot your Apple ID password (and don't use a password manager) or your account has been compromised, you might not be able to access your device or any of Apple's services. Resetting your Apple ID password might be just the trick to gaining access again.
Here are some easy ways to change your Apple ID password.
Reset your Apple ID password with your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch
iPhones accounted for about half of Apple's revenue in 2021, according to consumer data website Statista, so we'll start there. The instructions for resetting your Apple ID password on your iPhone will also work on your iPad and Apple Watch. Here's how.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap Password & Security.
4. Tap Change Password.
Follow the onscreen instructions, and you're all set. Easy, right?
Resetting your Apple ID password from a Mac device
You can also reset your Apple ID password from your MacBook or iMac. Here's how.
1. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and click System Preferences.
2. Click Apple ID.
3. Click Password and Security.
4. Click Change Password…
Follow the onscreen prompts to finish changing your password.
Reset your Apple ID password on a new device
While setting up a new Apple device, you'll be asked to sign into your Apple ID. If you can't remember your password, no worries. Here's how to reset your password during the setup process.
1. During device setup, select Forgot Apple ID or Password? whenever the option is available.
2. Finish the setup process.
3. Once setup is complete, select an app or another option that requires you to sign into your Apple ID. On iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, you can select Messages. On your Mac computer, follow the instructions above.
Resetting your Apple ID password without an Apple device
If you've forsaken Apple devices after previously using them, but you still need to log into your Apple ID, you have a few options. You can either borrow a friend or family member's Apple device, or you can use one of the devices in an Apple store. You can't follow the same directions as above, though. Instead, here's how to change your Apple ID password from a borrowed or in-store device.
1. Open the Apple Support app. You can also download the Apple Support app from the App Store.
2. Select Passwords & Security.
3. Select Reset Apple ID Password.
4. Select Get Started.
5. Select A different Apple ID.
6. Enter your Apple ID and follow the onscreen prompts.
7. Once your password is reset, make sure to log out. You don't want someone else to have access to your profile.
Reset your Apple ID password from the web
If all else fails, Apple has a website you can visit to reset your Apple ID password. However, Apple warns this process might take longer than the other methods on this list. But if it's your only option, visit iforgot.apple.com, follow the instructions and your password will be reset.
It's important to remember that once you change your Apple ID password on one device, you'll have to log back in on your other devices with your new password. So instead of forgetting your new password in three days and repeating this cycle again, save yourself the headache now and log back into everything while your new password is fresh in your mind.
For more tech tips, check out how to clear your iPhone's cache, how to use Snapchat on your computer and how to get rid of photobombers in your Pixel 6 pictures.
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