Where to look if you remember your password
If you think you know your iCloud password but want to confirm it, you cannot view it directly in your Apple account settings. Apple does not show passwords anywhere on their website or in their apps — this is intentional, for security. What you can do instead is change it to something you will remember, or reset it if you have forgotten it entirely.
If you use iCloud on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, you may have saved the password in your device's keychain. On a Mac, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), then search for "iCloud" in the top-right corner. Click the iCloud entry, check the "Show password" box, and your Mac will ask you to authenticate with your device password or Touch ID before revealing it. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security, then tap "Change Password" — you will not see the old one, but you can create a new one here.
Key Takeaways
- Apple does not display your iCloud password anywhere in your account settings for security reasons, but you can reset it if you have forgotten it.
- If you saved your password in your Mac's keychain, you can view it by opening Keychain Access and authenticating with your device password or Touch ID.
- The fastest way to regain access is to use the "Forgot password?" link on the iCloud sign-in page, which sends a recovery code to a trusted device or phone number.
- You will need access to either a trusted device, a recovery key, or a phone number associated with your account to reset your password.
- If you cannot access any of those recovery methods, you can answer security questions or use a recovery contact to verify your identity.
Using the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in page
If you have forgotten your iCloud password, the fastest route is to use Apple's password recovery process. Go to iCloud.com or any Apple sign-in page, enter your Apple ID (your email address), and click "Forgot password?" below the password field.
Apple will ask you to verify your identity. The easiest method is usually a recovery code sent to a trusted device — any iPhone, iPad, or Mac you have signed into with your Apple ID. If you have one nearby, unlock it, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security, and look for a notification or prompt with a six-digit code. Enter that code on the sign-in page, and you will be taken to a screen where you can create a new password.
If you do not have access to a trusted device, Apple will offer other verification methods: a code sent to a phone number on your account, a recovery key (a long code you may have saved when you set up two-factor authentication), or security questions you answered when you created your account.
What to do if you do not have a trusted device
A trusted device is the fastest recovery method, but it is not the only one. If you do not have access to any device you have previously signed into, Apple can send a code to a phone number associated with your account instead. This number is usually the one you provided when you set up two-factor authentication, but it may also be a recovery phone number you added later.
If you do not remember which phone number is on file, you cannot see it before you start the recovery process — you will have to enter your best guess. If the number is wrong, Apple will let you try a different one. Once you receive the code, enter it on the sign-in page and create a new password.
If you do not have access to any phone number on your account either, you can use a recovery key if you saved one. A recovery key is a long alphanumeric code that Apple gives you when you turn on two-factor authentication. If you saved it in a safe place — a password manager, a printed document, a safe deposit box — you can enter it instead of a code. This will also let you reset your password.
Using security questions or a recovery contact
If you do not have a trusted device, a recovery key, or access to a phone number on your account, Apple can verify your identity using security questions. These are the questions you answered when you created your Apple ID — for example, "What was the name of your first pet?" or "What city were you born in?"
You will need to answer at least two of them correctly. Apple will ask you the questions in a random order, and you must match the answers you provided originally. If you cannot remember your answers, or if you set up your account a long time ago and do not remember what you wrote, this method may not work.
Some accounts also have a recovery contact — another person you designated who can help you regain access. If you set one up, Apple can send them a notification asking them to approve your password reset. They will receive a prompt on their device, and if they approve it, you will be allowed to create a new password. This requires that your recovery contact is reachable and willing to help.
Resetting your password on your device
If you are already signed into an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with your Apple ID, you do not need to know your password to change it. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security (on iPhone or iPad) or System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security (on Mac), then tap or click "Change Password." Your device will ask you to authenticate with your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID, and then let you create a new iCloud password without entering the old one.
This is the easiest method if you have physical access to a device you are already signed into. The new password will take effect immediately across all your devices and services that use your Apple ID.
What happens after you reset your password
Once you create a new password, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices except the one you used to reset it. You will need to sign back in on each device using your new password. This includes your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other devices linked to your Apple ID.
If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which Apple recommends), you will also need to approve the sign-in on a trusted device or enter a verification code sent to your phone number. This extra step protects your account if someone else tries to sign in without your permission.
After you sign back in everywhere, your iCloud data — email, photos, contacts, calendar, notes — will sync normally. If you were using iCloud Keychain to store passwords and payment information, those will also become available again once you sign back in.
Preventing this from happening again
Once you have regained access, consider taking steps to make future password resets easier. Save your recovery key in a password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or the built-in password manager on your device — somewhere you can find it if you forget your password again. A recovery key is a one-time backup that works even if you lose access to all your devices and phone numbers.
Make sure the phone number on your account is current. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on your iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on your Mac, and check that the phone number listed is one you still use and can access. You can add a second phone number as a backup recovery method.
If you set up a recovery contact, make sure it is someone you trust and who will be reachable if you need help. You can change your recovery contact in the same Password & Security settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my iCloud password if I am already signed in?
No. Apple does not display passwords anywhere, even if you are signed in. On a Mac, you can view it through Keychain Access if you saved it there, but Apple's own settings will never show it. If you need to know your password, you will have to reset it.
What if I do not remember my security questions?
If you cannot answer your security questions correctly, you will need to use a different recovery method: a trusted device, a recovery key, or a phone number on your account. If you do not have access to any of those, contact Apple Support and be ready to verify your identity in other ways, such as with your original device purchase information.
How long does it take to reset my iCloud password?
If you use a trusted device or recovery key, you can reset your password and sign back in within minutes. If you use a phone number or security questions, it may take a few minutes longer to receive a code or answer the questions. Once you create a new password, it takes effect immediately.
Will resetting my password delete my iCloud data?
No. Resetting your password does not delete any of your iCloud data — your email, photos, contacts, calendar, and notes will all remain in your account. You will just need to sign back in on your devices to access them again.
What if I cannot access any recovery method?
If you cannot access a trusted device, recovery key, phone number, or security questions, contact Apple Support. You will need to verify your identity using information like your original device purchase, billing address, or the email address you used to create your account. This process takes longer but may be your only option.