How to Change Your Apple ID and Password

Change your Apple ID email address and password separately

Your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign into Apple services. Your password is what protects that account. You can change either one, but they are different processes — changing your password does not change your Apple ID email, and changing your Apple ID email does not automatically change your password.

Both changes happen in your Apple account settings online or on your device. You will need to know your current password to make either change, and Apple will send you confirmation emails to verify the change is really you.

Key Takeaways

You change your password in Settings on your device or at appleid.apple.com, and you need your current password to do it.
You change your Apple ID email address at appleid.apple.com only — not in Settings — and Apple sends a confirmation link to both your old and new email.
If you forget your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Apple ID sign-in page to reset it before making changes.
After you change your password, you will need to sign back into your devices and apps with the new password.
Changing your Apple ID email is permanent and affects all Apple services linked to that account, including iCloud, the App Store, and Apple Music.

Change your password on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

On an Apple device, go to Settings (iPhone and iPad) or System Settings (Mac), then tap or click your name at the top. Select Password and Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it.

Your new password must be at least eight characters and include uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, and a special character like ! or @. Apple will show you whether your password is strong as you type. Once you save the new password, you will be signed out of some services on that device and will need to sign back in with the new password.

Change your password at appleid.apple.com

Go to appleid.apple.com in a web browser and sign in with your Apple ID email and current password. Click Password and Security on the left side, then click Change Password next to the password field.

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. The same rules apply: at least eight characters with uppercase, lowercase, a number, and a special character. Click Change Password to save it. You will then need to sign back into your devices and apps.

Change your Apple ID email address

You can only change your Apple ID email at appleid.apple.com — there is no option to do this in Settings on your device. Sign in at appleid.apple.com, click Account at the top, then click Edit next to your Apple ID email address.

Type the new email address you want to use. Apple will send a verification code to your current email address and a separate verification link to the new email address. Check both inboxes, enter the code from your current email, and click the link in the new email to confirm the change. Once both are verified, your new email becomes your Apple ID.

This change affects everything: your iCloud account, the App Store, Apple Music, FaceTime, Messages, and any other Apple service linked to your account. You will need to sign back into your devices and apps using the new email address.

What happens to your old password or email after you change it

Your old password stops working immediately. If you are signed into multiple devices, they will stay signed in until you sign out or until Apple's servers sync the change — usually within a few minutes. After that, you cannot sign back in with the old password.

If you change your Apple ID email, your old email address cannot be used to sign into Apple services anymore. However, you can use your old email as a recovery email or alternate contact method for your account if you want to keep it linked for security purposes. This is optional and separate from your Apple ID itself.

If you forget your current password

You cannot change your password without knowing your current one. If you have forgotten it, go to the Apple ID sign-in page at appleid.apple.com and click Forgot password? Enter your Apple ID email, and Apple will send you a password reset link. Click the link in the email, answer your security questions or use a trusted device to verify your identity, then create a new password.

If you do not have access to your recovery email or a trusted device, you may need to verify your identity using your phone number or by answering security questions you set up when you created your account. The exact steps depend on what recovery information Apple has on file for you.

Sign back into your devices and apps after changing your password

After you change your password, your devices will prompt you to sign back in. On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Password and Security. You may see a prompt asking you to enter your new password. On Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, then Password and Security, and enter your new password when prompted.

For apps like Mail, Calendar, or third-party apps that use your Apple ID, you may need to sign out and sign back in manually. Go to the app's settings, find the account section, sign out, then sign back in with your new password. This usually takes a few minutes per app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Apple ID email to an email I already use for a different Apple account?

No. Each Apple ID must have a unique email address. If you want to use a different email, it cannot already be associated with another Apple ID. You would need to delete the other account first or choose a different email address.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one right away?

Use the Forgot password? link on appleid.apple.com to reset it again. You will need access to your recovery email or a trusted device to verify your identity. You can reset your password as many times as you need to.

Do I need to change my password on every device, or does it update automatically?

The password change happens on Apple's servers, so it applies to all devices at once. However, your devices will not automatically sign you back in — you will need to enter your new password when prompted or manually sign back in to apps.

If I change my Apple ID email, will my photos and files move to the new email?

Your iCloud data stays with your account, not with the email address. When you change your Apple ID email, all your photos, files, contacts, and other iCloud data move with it automatically. Nothing is lost.

Can I use my old Apple ID email for something else after I change it?

Yes. Once you change your Apple ID to a new email, the old email is no longer tied to your Apple account and you can use it for other purposes. However, Apple may not let you use it to create a new Apple ID for a certain period of time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.