Recover Apple ID account
Two-factor authentication
If you have two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID, you can recover the password from any trusted iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or Mac using the passcode or passcode that’s included. Can’t access any of your devices?
Password reset
The instructions vary depending on the type of security you use for your Apple ID. For example, if you’re asked to verify your phone number, use the steps for two-factor authentication. Choose the type you are using:
If you cannot access any of your devices
Take a friend or family member for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and follow these steps:
- Open the Find My iPhone app.
- When the sign appears on the screen, make sure the Apple ID field is blank. If you see someone else’s username, erase it.
- Click Forgot Apple ID and Password, and then follow the onscreen instructions.
Don’t see a sign on the screen? Click Sign Out. After you sign out, make sure the Apple ID field is empty. Then click on Forgot Apple ID & Password and follow the onscreen instructions.
Have you tried the previous steps but still need help? You can still reset your password and restore access to your account with recovery in mind.
Recover Apple ID account by phone number
If you’re having trouble trying to sign in with your Apple ID password, follow these steps to reset it and regain access to your account.
Reset Apple ID Password using Account Recovery (web)
On your iPhone, iPad or iPod
- Make sure your device is on iOS 10 or later.
- Go to settings.
- Click [your name] Password & Security to change your password, and then follow the instructions on the screen to update your password. For iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap the iCloud icon [your name] Password and security password, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Need help with the previous step? You might not be able to sign in to iCloud. Open Settings and tap “sign in to [device]” “don’t have an Apple ID or forgot”, then follow the onscreen instructions. For iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap the iCloud Forgot your Apple ID or Password, then follow the onscreen instructions.
On your mac
- Go to the Apple menu System Preferences and then click the iCloud icon.
- Select Requisites.
- If you’re prompted for your Apple ID password, click Forgot Apple ID and password and follow the onscreen instructions. You can skip the final steps below.
- Click Security Change Password. Before you can recover your Apple ID password, you need to enter the password used to unlock your Mac.
Need help with these steps? You might not be able to sign in to iCloud. Go to the Apple menu System Preferences, and then click the iCloud icon. Click the Forgot Apple ID & Password button and follow the onscreen instructions.
Use recovery key
If you’ve updated your Apple ID from 2-Step Verification for 2FA in iOS 11 and later, or macOS High Sierra and later, and you have a recovery key, you can use the recovery key to reset your password.
Recover Apple ID account after deletion
Before giving away or selling your iOS devices, be sure to Erase Content and Settings (under Settings General Reset Erase Content and Settings). Erasing content turns off Find My iPhone and Activation Lock. See the article on the Apple Support site for what to do before you sell, give away, or change your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. For more information on what to do before selling or transferring Apple Watch, see, sell, give away, or protect your lost Apple Watch Apple Watch User Guide.
Note: Apple Watch Airpods and remain in Find iPhone until you delete all devices that are paired with them.
Remove Apple Watch or Airpods
To uninstall Apple Watch or Airpods, make sure they are offline and then remove them from Find My iPhone on iCloud.com.
Note: You can also uninstall Apple Watch by following the instructions in Remove iOS device, Apple Watch, or Mac you no longer have. Later, you can restore Apple Watch from iCloud or iTunes backup.
Tap all devices, select an offline device, and then tap Remove from account.
If you don’t see remove from account, click all devices again click the Remove button next to the device.
If your Apple Watch or Airpods come online again, they will reappear in Find My iPhone. If a device appears, disable it in Bluetooth settings on all devices.
Removing an iOS or Mac device
On an iOS device: Go to [your name] iCloud Settings, then turn off Find My [device]. Enter your Apple ID password, then tap turn off.
On your Mac, choose the Apple System Preferences menu, click the iCloud icon, and then uncheck Find My Mac. Enter your Apple ID password, then click Continue.
STEP by STEP: Apple ID Forgot Password Account Recovery
Note: You can also remove a device by disabling iCloud completely on that device. Disable iCloud Disable all iCloud features on the device.
Removing an iOS, Apple Watch, or Mac device you no longer have
If you don’t have an iOS, Apple Watch, or Mac device because you donated or sold it, you need to remotely wipe it before you can uninstall it. With Apple Watch, you must have watchOS 3 or later to uninstall Apple Watch.
Click “all devices”, select the device you want to erase.
iOS devices or Apple Watch: Enter your Apple ID password or your relative Apple ID password. If you are not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter a verification code that is sent to other devices. If you are using your own computer and want to skip the verification step in the future, click the Trust button. If you are using a different computer, click I do not trust.
Mac: Enter your Apple ID password or your relative’s Apple ID password. If you are not using a trusted browser, answer your security questions or enter a verification code that is sent to other devices. If you are using your own computer and want to skip the verification step in the future, click the Trust button. If you are using a different device, click Don’t trust.
Since the device is not lost, do not enter a phone number or message.
If the device is offline, remote erasing will not start until the next time it is connected to the network. You will receive an email when the device is removed.
Apple Pay is disabled for your device. What credit or debit cards for Apple Pay, Student ID Cards, and Express Transit Cards will be removed from your device. Credit, debit and student cards will be removed even if the device is offline. Express transit cards will be removed the next time the device goes online. See the Apple Support article to use a wallet on your iPhone or iPod touch.
When the device is erased click Remove from account.
All your content is erased and someone else can activate the device.