How to Recover Your Apple iCloud Password

To recover a forgotten Apple iCloud password, use Apple’s password-reset process and verify your identity with a trusted device, trusted phone number, or another option Apple offers. An iCloud password is the password for your Apple Account, formerly called an Apple ID.

How do I start Apple’s password recovery process?

Open {site}, go to Apple Account Support, and choose the option for a forgotten password. Enter an email address or phone number associated with your Apple Account, then follow the prompts shown for your account.

Before starting, gather the information and devices that may help Apple verify your identity:

• An email address or phone number used with the Apple Account
• A trusted phone number that can receive a verification code
• An iPhone, iPad, or Mac already signed in to the account
• The passcode or login password for that trusted device
• Access to any recovery contact or recovery key previously configured

Apple ID is now called Apple Account, but existing Apple ID sign-in details still work. If you search for “how do I recover my Apple iCloud password,” make sure the process you open is operated by Apple and never give a verification code or device passcode to another person.

How do I reset my iCloud password on a trusted Apple device?

A trusted device is an Apple device already signed in to your Apple Account and protected by a device passcode or Mac login password. This is generally the most direct reset method because Apple can use the signed-in device to help verify that the account belongs to you.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings and tap your name.
2. Tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Change Password.
4. Enter the device passcode.
5. Follow the prompts to create and confirm a new Apple Account password.

On a Mac:

1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
2. Click your name, then choose Sign-In & Security.
3. Click Change Password.
4. Enter the password used to unlock the Mac.
5. Follow the prompts to set a new Apple Account password.

If Stolen Device Protection applies, the device may require an additional security step before allowing a password change. Follow the message displayed on the device rather than repeatedly restarting the reset.

How can I recover my iCloud password without a trusted device?

If you cannot use your own trusted device, Apple may let you reset the password through its online recovery process or the Apple Support app on a borrowed Apple device.

To use a borrowed iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Apple Support app.
2. Find Support Tools and select Reset Password.
3. Select Help Someone Else.
4. Enter your Apple Account email address or phone number.
5. Follow the identity-verification prompts.

The information entered for this process is not saved on the borrowed device. If the app is unavailable, use the password-reset option in the Apple Account Support area on {site}. A new Apple device may also show “Forgot password?” or a similarly worded option on its sign-in screen.

If you previously selected an account recovery contact, that person may be able to provide a recovery code. A recovery contact does not receive access to your account or iCloud data.

What should I do when Apple offers account recovery?

Account recovery is Apple’s identity-verification process for people who cannot reset their password through the standard trusted-device or trusted-number methods. Use it only after trying the other official options available to the account.

1. Attempt to sign in or reset the password through Apple’s official process.
2. When prompted for a code, select the option stating that you did not receive it or cannot use your devices or trusted number.
3. Provide the requested account and contact information.
4. Follow Apple’s instructions for continuing the recovery request.

After starting account recovery, follow Apple’s directions about signed-in devices. Using the Apple Account on other devices can interfere with or cancel a pending request. To check the request, return to Apple’s official password-reset process, enter the same Apple Account information, and review the displayed status.

Apple Support cannot shorten account recovery, bypass identity checks, or guarantee access. Do not start a second request merely because the first one remains pending.

What should I do if a verification code never arrives?

On the verification screen, choose “Didn’t Get a Code?” to request another available delivery method. Check whether the trusted phone can receive calls or text messages, has service, and is not filtering messages. A code may also appear automatically on a trusted Apple device.

If Apple does not recognize the email address or phone number, check a device that may already be signed in. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, and choose Sign-In & Security. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, and choose Sign-In & Security. You can also review Apple emails or ask a Family Sharing member to check the account information shown for you.

For repeated reset failures:

• Use an email address or phone number already associated with the Apple Account.
• Complete the prompts in one session instead of requesting many codes.
• Check that the new password meets every requirement displayed by Apple.
• Stop if unexpected prompts request a password, recovery key, or verification code outside Apple’s process.

How do I contact Apple Support about iCloud password recovery?

Use the official Apple Support contact block on this page and choose Apple Account, sign-in, or forgotten-password help. Support can explain the available reset process and help identify the correct next step, but it cannot disclose the existing password or override Apple’s security checks.

Before requesting help, prepare the name on the account, possible Apple Account email addresses or phone numbers, the models of trusted devices, and the exact error message. Never send Apple Support your password, verification code, recovery key, or device passcode. Apple may instead ask you to confirm the account through a notification on your device or another official verification method.