How to Recover Your iTunes Password

If you can’t sign in to iTunes, you can regain access by resetting the password for the Apple Account you use with it. Have access to a trusted Apple device, a trusted phone number, or another account recovery option before you begin; iTunes passwords are now Apple Account passwords.

What You’ll Need

The email address or phone number associated with your Apple Account. If you are unsure, check a device where you are already signed in or look at previous Apple receipts.
Access to a trusted iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in to the account, if available.
If you do not have a trusted device, access to a trusted phone number or another device and an internet connection.

Step-by-Step

Confirm which account iTunes uses. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap your name. On a Mac, open System Settings and select your name. The email address or phone number shown is the Apple Account currently signed in. On a Windows PC, check the account information in the Apple Music or Apple TV app, or in iTunes if you still use it. The account may differ from the one used for other Apple services.
Try resetting the password on a trusted Apple device. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security and Change Password. On a Mac, open System Settings, select your name, choose Sign-In & Security, then Change Password. Follow the onscreen instructions. You may be asked for the device passcode or Mac login password; this is an account security check, not your old Apple Account password.
Use Apple’s password-reset page if you cannot use a trusted device. In a browser, go directly to iforgot.apple.com. Enter the email address or phone number for your Apple Account and follow the prompts. Apple may ask you to confirm a trusted phone number or approve the request from a trusted device. Use the website address directly rather than a reset link in an unexpected message.
Check for a reset prompt on another Apple device. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that is signed in to the account, look for a notification or follow the device’s password-reset instructions. Keep the device connected to the internet. If the prompt does not appear, return to the reset page and choose a different available method.
Start account recovery if you cannot verify your identity. When the reset process cannot confirm you through a trusted device or phone number, it may offer account recovery. Follow the instructions and provide a phone number where Apple can reach you. You may receive a confirmation and an estimate of when you can regain access. The wait can take several days or longer, and Apple Support cannot shorten the waiting period. Avoid using other devices signed in to the account during the wait if Apple’s instructions tell you that doing so could cancel recovery.
Set a new, strong password and save it securely. Follow the reset instructions to create a password you have not used for this account before. If prompted, sign out of other devices or sessions you do not recognize. Do not share verification codes or your password with anyone; Apple Support will not need you to disclose them.
Sign in to iTunes or the app you use now. Open iTunes on a compatible computer, or Apple Music or Apple TV on a supported device, and sign in with the same Apple Account and new password. If a device asks you to authenticate again, enter the new password there too. Check that your library, purchases, or subscriptions appear under the intended account.

Common Mistakes

Resetting the wrong account: An Apple Account may use an email address or phone number, and you may have more than one. Confirm the account shown in device settings before starting.
Confusing the device passcode with the account password: The passcode unlocks an iPhone or iPad. The Apple Account password signs you in to Apple services. A reset may ask for the passcode as verification, but they are not interchangeable.
Requesting repeated recovery attempts: Starting a new request or using the account on other devices can affect the recovery process. Follow the latest instructions and avoid restarting unless Apple tells you to.
Trusting unsolicited reset messages: Do not open suspicious links or give anyone a verification code. Visit Apple’s recovery site yourself or use Settings on a trusted device.
Expecting old purchases to transfer between accounts: A password reset restores access to the same account; it does not merge accounts or move purchases between them.

Tips

Keep your trusted phone number current in your Apple Account settings and add another trusted number if you have a suitable option.
After signing in, check the account name and email address in the app or device settings. This helps distinguish a password problem from being signed in to a different account.
Use a password manager to store the new password, and update it on devices that prompt you to sign in again.
If you still have a trusted device, use its built-in settings first. It is usually the most direct option because the device can verify your identity.

Troubleshooting

The reset page does not recognize the account: Try the email address or phone number you may have used when creating the account. Check a device where you are signed in, old Apple receipts, or account-related emails to identify it. Enter the address carefully and check for a different spelling or domain.

You cannot access the trusted phone number: If a trusted Apple device is available, try changing the password there. Otherwise, choose the option indicating you cannot use the number and follow the recovery prompts. If you have recently changed numbers, recovery may require additional verification.

You do not receive a verification notification or code: Confirm the trusted device has an internet connection and is signed in to the correct account. Check that you entered the trusted phone number accurately and can receive messages or calls on it. Use another offered verification method if available; do not repeatedly request codes if delivery is delayed.

Account recovery is taking longer than expected: Check the status using the same recovery instructions or website. Follow Apple’s estimate and keep the contact number available. Recovery time depends on the information Apple can verify; contacting support does not bypass the waiting period.

The new password works on one device but not in iTunes: Confirm iTunes is signed in to the same Apple Account you reset. Quit and reopen the app, then enter the new password. If the computer or app is very old, check Apple’s current support guidance for compatible software and sign-in methods.

You suspect someone else changed the password: Start a reset through a trusted device or by typing iforgot.apple.com into your browser. Once you regain access, review the devices associated with the account, remove any you do not recognize, and check that trusted contact information is yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my iTunes password the same as my Apple Account password?
Yes. iTunes uses the password for the Apple Account signed in to the app. The account may be identified by an email address or phone number.

Can I recover the old password without changing it?
Apple’s recovery process lets you reset the password; it does not reveal the existing one. After verification, choose a new password.

Can I reset it without an iPhone?
Yes. Try a trusted Mac, or use iforgot.apple.com from a browser. If you cannot verify your identity through available methods, follow the account recovery process.

How long does account recovery take?
It varies and may take several days or longer. Apple provides an estimate during the process, and support cannot reduce the waiting period.

Will resetting my password delete my music or purchases?
A password reset does not itself delete purchases tied to the account. Sign in with the same account afterward; content associated with another account will not automatically move.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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