Forgotten Apple ID password: 3 ways to regain access to your account

Have you forgotten your Apple ID password? No worries! There are three ways to regain access to your account. In this article, we’ll show you what to do if you forget your Apple ID password.

Forgot Apple ID password

You use an Apple ID to log in to iCloud, the App Store and other Apple services. So it is quite difficult when you have forgotten the password. There are three ways to regain access to your account. We also show you what to do if you forget your Apple ID username.

How to recover a forgotten Apple ID password depends on the security method you set when you created your account: two-factor authentication, two-step verification or security questions. Below we explain each method so that you can quickly access your Apple ID again.

1. Two-factor authentication

If you use two-factor authentication, you can reset your Apple ID password from your own iPhone, iPad, Mac (Book) or iPad touch. Below you will find detailed instructions per Apple device.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch:

1. Grab your device and open the Settings app;
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen and select ‘Password & Security’;
3. Choose Change Password and follow the onscreen instructions to change the password.

On a Mac (Book) with macOS Catalina or later:

1. Start your Mac (Book) and choose ‘System Preferences’ in the Apple menu;
2. Click on ‘Apple ID’ and select ‘Password and security’;
3. Press ‘Forgot Apple ID or Password’ when prompted;
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

On a Mac (Book) with macOS Mojave or older versions:

1. Select ‘System Preferences’ in the Apple menu;
2. Press ‘iCloud’ and select ‘Account Information’;
3. Click on ‘Forgot Apple ID or Password’ when prompted for your password.

2. Two-step verification

When your Apple ID is secured with two-step verification, you will need to reset the password via the official Apple website. This can be done from almost any device with an internet connection:

1. Go to you Apple ID account page and click on ‘Forgot your Apple ID or password?’;
2. Enter your Apple ID and indicate that you want to reset the password;
3. Choose ‘Continue’ and enter the recovery code you received when you enabled two-step verification;
4. Select which device will receive the verification code;
5. Enter this sent code on the Apple ID website;
6. Create a new password and confirm your choice.

3. Security questions

Have you only secured your Apple ID with security questions? Then you have to change the password through the official Apple website. This can be done from almost any device with an internet connection:

1. Open your web browser and go to your Apple ID account page;
2. Click on ‘Forgot your Apple ID or password’ and enter your Apple ID;
3. Indicate how you want to reset your password and choose ‘Continue’.

During the last step you can indicate whether you want to answer security questions. Apple uses your answers to verify your identity. You provided the answers during the creation of your account. Would you rather receive an email to change your forgotten Apple ID password? Then choose that option.

4. Recover your Apple ID

Have you not only forgotten your password, but also the email address or username of your Apple ID? Then you can try to find it via Apple. You can use your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac (Book) for this:

1. Grab your Apple device and open the web browser;
2. Go to the Apple website to find your Apple ID;
3. Enter your first name, last name and linked e-mail address and press ‘Continue’
4. If the same email address is used for Apple ID, Apple will let you know, if not, try other email addresses and click Continue;
5. Choose to recover via email or via security questions to recover the password.

More tips for your Apple ID

You probably rarely think about it in everyday life, but your Apple ID is extremely important. For example, the Apple account contains a lot of personal information. In addition, you sometimes need the account to log in to Apple services. Read our article on setting up two-step verification on Apple ID to help keep your account more secure. Also, don’t forget to delete your Apple ID when you are no longer an Apple user.

• Tip: you can remove your Apple ID in 3 steps

• Forgotten Apple ID password: 3 ways to regain access to your account

• Make your Apple device more secure with two-factor authentication – that’s how it works

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