How to Change Apple ID Password on iPhone, Mac & Web [2026]

Want to change your Apple ID password for better security, or because you think someone else may know it? You can update it directly from a trusted iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or the Apple Account website.

Apple now calls Apple ID "Apple Account," but you can still sign in with the same email address or phone number and password. This guide shows you how to change your Apple ID password using the latest methods, plus what to do if you have forgotten the current password.

Quick Answer: How to Change Apple ID Password on iPhone

The fastest way is to use an iPhone or iPad that is already signed in to your Apple Account. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password.

Follow the onscreen instructions to verify your identity and create a new password. Depending on your security settings, you may be asked to enter your iPhone passcode or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.

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Change vs. Reset Apple ID Password: Which One Do You Need?

Although "change Apple ID password" and "reset Apple ID password" are often used interchangeably, they usually describe two different situations.

Your Situation	What to Do
You are signed in and want a new password	Change it in Settings or System Settings
You know your current password	Change it through the Apple Account website
You forgot your password but still have a trusted device	Reset it from the trusted device
You don't have your own Apple device	Use the Apple Support app on a borrowed device
You can't access a trusted device or phone number	Start password recovery through Apple

If you simply want to update a password you still know, start with the methods below. If you have forgotten it, jump to the Forgot Your Current Apple ID Password? section.

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How to Change Apple ID Password

Changing your Apple ID password is easy when you still have access to your trusted device or current account credentials. Below are several practical ways to change your Apple ID password on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or online.

Method 1. Change Apple ID Password on iPhone or iPad

Using a trusted iPhone or iPad is usually the quickest way to change your Apple Account password because your device can help verify your identity.

• Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap [your name] at the top.
• Step 2. Tap Sign-In & Security.
• Step 3. Tap Change Password.
• Step 4. Complete the required authentication. You may need to enter your device passcode or use Face ID or Touch ID
• Step 5. Enter your new Apple Account password, confirm it, and follow the onscreen instructions to finish.
• 

Why Does Apple Make Me Wait One Hour to Change My Password?

If Stolen Device Protection is enabled, Apple may require a one-hour Security Delay before allowing certain sensitive account changes, including changing your Apple Account password. This commonly happens when your iPhone detects that you are away from a familiar location. If Stolen Device Protection is configured to Always require a Security Delay, the delay may apply even at familiar locations.

After the delay ends, authenticate again with Face ID or Touch ID and continue changing the password.

Method 2. Change Apple ID Password on Mac

If your Mac is already signed in to your Apple Account, you can also change the password through System Settings.

• Step 1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner and select System Settings.
• Step 2. Click [your name].
• Step 3. Select Sign-In & Security.
• Step 4. Click Change Password.
• Step 5. Enter the password you use to unlock your Mac when prompted. Then follow the onscreen instructions to create your new Apple Account password.
• 

Method 3. Change Apple ID Password Online

You can also manage your password through Apple's Apple Account website. This is useful when you are using a Windows computer or another non-Apple device.

• Step 1. Open the official Apple Account website and sign in.
• Step 2. Select Sign-In and Security.
• Step 3. Choose Password.
• Step 4. Follow the verification instructions and enter your new password.
• 

Apple may redirect the process to one of your trusted devices when available because a trusted device provides a more secure way to verify your identity. If you cannot sign in because you have forgotten the password, use Apple's password-reset process instead.

Method 4. Change Apple ID Password on Apple Watch

You can also update your Apple Account password directly from a supported Apple Watch.

• Step 1. Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
• Step 2. Tap [your name].
• Step 3. Tap Password & Security or Sign-In & Security.
• Step 4. Tap Change Password.
• Step 5. Follow the onscreen instructions.
• 

If Stolen Device Protection is enabled on the paired iPhone, Apple may restrict changing Apple Account password and security settings from the Apple Watch. In that situation, use the paired iPhone instead.

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Forgot Your Current Apple ID Password?

If you do not remember the current password, you need to reset your Apple Account password rather than perform a standard password change. The best method depends on what devices and verification methods you can still access.

Option 1. Reset Apple ID Password on a Trusted iPhone or iPad

If your iPhone or iPad is already signed in to your Apple Account, start with Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password.

Follow the onscreen instructions. Your trusted device can be used to verify your identity, so Apple may allow you to continue using your device passcode instead of entering the forgotten Apple Account password. This is usually the fastest option when you still have access to your trusted device.

For a more complete guide, see How to Reset Apple ID Password.

Option 2. Reset Apple ID Password with a Borrowed iPhone or iPad

If you do not have your own Apple device but still have access to your trusted phone number, you can use the Apple Support app on a friend's or family member's device.

• Step 1. Open the Apple Support app on the borrowed device.
• Step 2. Scroll to Support Tools and tap Reset Password.
• Step 3. Tap Help Someone Else.
• Step 4. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple Account.
• Step 5. Tap Continue and follow the instructions to verify your identity and create a new password.
• 

Information you enter during this process is not stored on the borrowed device.

Option 3. Reset Apple ID Password on the Web

You can also start Apple's password-reset process from a browser. You can enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple Account and follow Apple's verification instructions. When a trusted device is available, Apple may direct you to that device to complete the reset. If Apple cannot immediately verify your identity, you may need to begin account recovery, which can involve a waiting period.

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Why Can't I Change My Apple ID Password?

If the Change Password option does not work as expected, check the following situations.

1. Stolen Device Protection Is Causing a Security Delay

With Stolen Device Protection enabled, changing your Apple Account password may require Face ID or Touch ID, followed by a Security Delay of about one hour and another biometric authentication. Wait until the displayed security delay ends, then follow the prompts again.

2. You Don't Have Access to a Trusted Device

If you cannot use your own trusted Apple device, try the Apple Support app on a borrowed Apple device. You will normally need access to the trusted phone number associated with the account.

3. You Forgot the Password

A standard password change generally assumes that Apple can verify you through an existing signed-in device or your current account credentials. If you have forgotten your password, use Apple's password-reset process instead.

4. You Can't Access Your Trusted Phone Number

If you cannot access either a trusted device or trusted phone number, Apple may require you to use account recovery to regain access. Account recovery can take longer because Apple needs time to confirm that you are the account owner.

5. Your Apple Account May Be Locked

Repeated unsuccessful sign-in attempts or unusual account activity can cause Apple to restrict access to an account. Follow Apple's account recovery or account access instructions instead of repeatedly trying different passwords.

6. Someone Else May Have Changed Your Password

Unexpected verification codes, unfamiliar devices, password-change notifications, or a password that suddenly stops working can indicate unauthorized account activity. In this situation, regain control of the account as soon as possible and review the devices and trusted information associated with it.

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What Happens After You Change Your Apple ID Password?

Changing your Apple Account password does not create a new Apple Account. Your iCloud photos, purchases, contacts, backups, and other account data remain associated with the same account. However, you may notice a few changes after changing it:

• Some Apple devices and services may ask you to enter the new password again.
• iCloud syncing may pause temporarily until authentication is completed.
• Apps or services connected to your Apple Account may require you to sign in again.
• If you suspect unauthorized access, review your trusted devices and remove any device you do not recognize.

If you are changing the password because you think your account has been compromised, use a strong password that you do not reuse on other websites.

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Extra Tip: Need to Remove an Apple Account Instead of Changing Its Password?

Changing an Apple Account password and removing an Apple Account from an iPhone are different tasks. If the Apple Account belongs to you and you simply want to secure it, use Apple's password-change or password-reset methods above.

If you own the iPhone or iPad but cannot sign out of the Apple Account currently attached to the device because the password is unavailable, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker provides an Unlock Apple ID feature for supported devices and iOS versions.TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is designed for several iPhone and iPad access problems, including Apple ID removal, screen passcode removal, Screen Time passcodes removal, and MDM restrictions bypass. The exact requirements vary depending on the device model, iOS version, passcode status, and security settings, so check the onscreen requirements before proceeding.

• Step 1. Install and open TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on a Windows PC or Mac. Connect your device and choose the Unlock Apple ID feature.
• Step 2. Follow the prompts to check the device's screen passcode, two-factor authentication, and other required conditions. Download the appropriate firmware package if the program requests one.
• Step 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to check your iPhone and start the unlocking process. Keep the device connected until the process is complete.
• 

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FAQs About Changing Apple ID Password

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The Bottom Line

The easiest way to change your Apple ID password is through a trusted iPhone or iPad: go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. Apart from that, you can also change it on a Mac, Apple Watch, or through Apple's account website.

If you have forgotten the password, use Apple's reset options instead. For users who own an iPhone or iPad but need to remove an Apple Account from the device rather than recover the account itself, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can be considered for supported situations.