To change an Apple account password, open Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Change Password, or use account.apple.com.
Changing your Apple account password keeps data on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iCloud safe. This guide shows the fastest paths and fixes snags that users hit.
Quick Methods By Device
You can change the password on a trusted device that already signs in to your Apple account. Pick the shortcut that matches your setup, then follow the simple path shown below.
| Platform | Path | What You’ll Need |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Settings → your name → Sign-In & Security → Change Password | Device passcode |
| Mac | Apple menu → System Settings → your name → Sign-In & Security → Change Password | Mac login password |
| Web On Any Computer | Go to account.apple.com → Sign in → Sign-In & Security → Password | Access to a trusted number for codes |
| Borrowed Apple Device | Open Apple Support app → Support Tools → Reset Password → Help Someone Else | Trusted phone number |
| New Apple Device | On the sign-in screen tap Forgotten password? then follow prompts | Wi-Fi and your trusted number |
| No Trusted Device Handy | Visit iforgot.apple.com and start account recovery | Proof of identity; may take time |
| Older Devices | Look for Password & Security or iCloud settings with a Change Password button | Passcode or login |
If a menu name looks different, you may be on an older iOS or macOS build. The flow stays the same: open account settings, pick sign-in and security, then change the password.
How To Change An Apple Account Password On iPhone
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security. Tap Change Password, enter your device passcode, set a new password, and tap Done. Your other devices will ask to sign in again with the new password. Screens may differ a little by version.
Set A Strong Password
Pick at least eight characters with a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols. Skip reused words, names, and easy patterns. A passphrase with random words plus a symbol tends to be both strong and easy to type.
Update Saved Logins
After you change it, update saved logins in browsers, mail apps, and sign-ins on Apple TV or HomePod. If apps start asking for iCloud or App Store access, enter the new password once and the prompts stop.
Change On Mac Without The Web
On a Mac, open System Settings from the Apple menu. Click your name at the top, open Sign-In & Security, then choose Change Password. You’ll enter your Mac login first, then set the new password for your Apple account. If the Change Password button is dimmed, sign out of iCloud, restart, and try again. See Apple’s guide: Change your Apple Account password.
How To Change An Apple Account Password
If you prefer a browser, visit account.apple.com and sign in. Open the password panel inside Sign-In & Security, enter the current password, then set a new one. This route works on Windows and Chromebooks as well. If you came here asking how to change an apple account password on the web, this is the cleanest path.
Close Variation: Change Apple Account Password With Two-Factor Steps
Two-factor authentication adds a one-time code when you sign in on new devices. Turning it on makes your next password change smoother, since verification codes reach your trusted numbers and devices right away. To enable it, go to Settings on iPhone or System Settings on Mac, open Sign-In & Security, then switch on Two-Factor Authentication. You can learn more about two-factor authentication on Apple Support.
Add Extra Trusted Numbers
Add a second phone number in case your main phone is lost. Go to Two-Factor Authentication settings and add a trusted number. Choose someone you can reach fast, or a secondary SIM you carry when traveling.
What To Do If You Forgot The Password
If you can’t sign in, start with iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID, finish the prompts, and pick text or device prompts to verify. If no device or number is available, start account recovery and keep the contact phone nearby for alerts. Many readers search for how to change an apple account password after lockout; the recovery path handles that case. You can also use Apple’s steps to reset your password.
Use A Borrowed Device
You can reset through the Apple Support app on a friend’s iPhone or at an Apple Store. Open the app, tap Reset Password, then Help Someone Else. Follow the steps and the app sends codes to your trusted number.
During Recovery
Recovery can take time if Apple can’t verify right away. Watch for texts or emails with status updates. When recovery completes, you’ll get a link or a prompt on a device to set the new password.
Troubleshooting: Common Errors And Fixes
Most stops come down to device sign-in status, network issues, or an outdated OS. The table lists the usual messages and the quick fixes that clear them.
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Verification Failed | Time skew or weak signal | Check date and time, move to better signal, try Wi-Fi |
| This Apple ID Is Not Active | Account locked for security | Use iforgot.apple.com to unlock, then change password |
| Couldn’t Connect To Server | Network or DNS issue | Toggle Airplane Mode, retry on another network |
| No Eligible Devices | Not signed in on any device | Use the web and a trusted number or start recovery |
| Old Password Still Asked | Keychain cached the old login | Sign out of iCloud on that device, sign back in |
| Two-Factor Code Not Arriving | Number out of date | Add or update trusted numbers on a signed-in device |
| Repeated Prompts After Change | Some services still cached | Restart devices, open App Store and iCloud once |
Best Practices That Save Time Later
These small habits cut recovery time and login prompts.
- Turn on two-factor authentication and add a backup number.
- Keep your phone number current in account settings.
- Update devices to the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS build you can run.
- Store the password in a trusted manager so you don’t forget it.
Privacy And Security Notes
Apple never asks for your password or codes by phone, email, or text. If a message looks odd, sign in on Apple’s site instead of tapping links.
Step-By-Step Screens For Each Path
iPhone or iPad: Settings → your name → Sign-In & Security → Change Password. Enter the device passcode, type a new password twice, then tap Done.
Mac: Apple menu → System Settings → your name → Sign-In & Security → Change Password. Type your Mac login, set a new password, and click Change.
Web: go to account.apple.com, sign in, open Password in Sign-In & Security, then enter the current password and a new one. Use a code sent to a trusted device or number when asked.
Borrowed device: open the Apple Support app, tap Reset Password → Help Someone Else, enter your Apple ID, and follow prompts.
No trusted device nearby: start at iforgot.apple.com. Answer prompts. If verification fails, the system begins account recovery and sends updates by text or email.
Password Rules That Work Smoothly
Apple accepts long passphrases, so feel free to use spaces. A passphrase of random words works well. Avoid predictable substitutions like 0 for O. Pick a line you can remember and keep it only here.
Avoid reused logins from other services. If a breach somewhere else leaks an old password, reusing it with your Apple ID puts iCloud data at risk. Fresh, distinct logins stop that chain.
After The Change: What Will Prompt You
Your devices and apps will ask for the new password over the next day. Common prompts include iCloud, App Store and Media, Messages, Photos, and Find My.
Mail apps that use app-specific passwords need a refresh. Create a new app-specific password on the web portal, then paste it into the app.
Family Sharing stays intact. Others may only see an approval prompt on a new device.
When You See A Lockout Or A Security Hold
Too many failed logins can trigger a lock. Use iforgot.apple.com to unlock first, then change the password using any path above. If the site reports that the account is in recovery, keep the contact phone active and wait for the prompt to finish.
If you lost the phone tied to your trusted number, sign in on a Mac or another device that already shows your name in settings. Add a new trusted number before changing the password to avoid code delays.
If you suspect someone else knows the login, change the password, turn on two-factor authentication, and review trusted devices. Remove devices you don’t recognize from the list in your Apple account settings.
Re-Sign Steps On Other Apple Services
App Store and Media: open the App Store, tap your profile, and sign in with the new password. Apple Music and TV use the same login, so a new sign-in there updates them too.
Messages and FaceTime: open Messages settings and FaceTime settings, sign in again if you see a banner at the top. Calls and texts continue during the switch.
Mail on third-party clients: visit the Apple ID site and create a fresh app-specific password, then update the mail account in the client. Each app needs its own app-specific password.
A Short Checklist You Can Print
1) Change the password on one device or the web. 2) Turn on two-factor authentication and add a backup number. 3) Update app-specific passwords. 4) Re-sign on iCloud services across devices. 5) Remove old devices from the trusted list. 6) Save the new login in your manager.