Apple ID Password Reset on iPhone: Step-by-Step

If you’re locked out of your Apple ID on your iPhone, you can reset the password directly on the device, provided you remember your iPhone’s passcode and have access to a trusted phone number or device. This guide walks you through the built-in reset flow, covers what to do when that fails, and answers common questions about the process.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with the latest iOS version installed (the steps below match iOS 17 and iOS 18).
Your iPhone passcode (the one you use to unlock the screen).
Access to a trusted phone number (for SMS verification) or another Apple device signed in with the same Apple ID.
If you use two-factor authentication, you’ll need one of your trusted devices or a trusted phone number to receive the verification code.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. On your iPhone’s home screen, tap the gray gear icon labeled Settings.
Tap your name. At the very top of the Settings screen, you’ll see your name and Apple ID email address. Tap it.
Select “Sign-In & Security.” This option is usually the second item in the Apple ID menu, right below your name and contact info.
Tap “Change Password.” You’ll see it under the “Sign-In & Security” section. If you’re already signed in, this is the direct path. If you’re not signed in, skip to the alternate method below.
Enter your iPhone passcode. iOS will ask for your device passcode to confirm it’s really you. This is not your Apple ID password—it’s the 4- or 6-digit code you use to unlock the phone.
Create a new password. You’ll be prompted to enter a new password twice. Apple requires at least 8 characters, with both letters and numbers. Uppercase and lowercase letters, plus special characters, are recommended but not mandatory. Avoid reusing an old password or something easy to guess.
Tap “Change” or “Done.” After you confirm the new password, iOS will update it across your Apple services. You may see a brief spinner while it syncs.
Sign out of other devices (optional but recommended). If you have other Apple devices, they’ll ask for the new password the next time they need to verify your identity. You don’t have to sign out manually, but doing so can help you remember which devices are active.

Alternate method if you’re already signed out:

Open Settings and tap “Sign in to your iPhone.” This appears at the top of the Settings screen when you’re not signed in.
Tap “Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID?” It’s a small link below the password field.
Tap “Forgot Apple ID or password.” Follow the on-screen prompts.
Enter your Apple ID email address (or phone number if you use that as your ID).
Choose “Reset Password” and then “Continue.” iOS will offer to reset it using your iPhone passcode. Tap “Continue” and enter your passcode when prompted.
Follow the prompts to set a new password. You may be asked to verify a code sent to your trusted phone number. Enter that code, then create your new password.

Common Mistakes

Confusing the iPhone passcode with the Apple ID password. The passcode is the number you type to unlock the screen. The Apple ID password is the longer string you use for iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. The reset process asks for the passcode, not the old Apple ID password.
Using a password that’s too short. Apple requires at least 8 characters with a number and a letter. If you try something shorter, the system will reject it.
Reusing an old password. Apple remembers recent passwords and won’t let you set the same one again. Pick something new.
Ignoring the “Sign Out of Other Devices” prompt. If you skip this, other devices may keep using the old password for a while, which can cause confusion later.
Trying to reset without your iPhone passcode. If you don’t know your device passcode, you cannot reset the Apple ID password directly on the phone. You’ll need to use account recovery on the web instead.

Tips

Write down your new password somewhere safe (like a password manager) before you confirm it. Once you tap “Change,” you won’t see it again.
Use a passphrase you can remember but others can’t guess. A short sentence with numbers and symbols is stronger than a single word with “123” tacked on.
Update your trusted phone number if it’s outdated. Go to Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Trusted Phone Number to make sure you can receive verification codes.
If you have a Mac or iPad signed in with the same Apple ID, you can also reset the password from there (System Settings > Apple ID > Sign-In & Security > Change Password). The new password will sync to your iPhone.
Keep your device passcode private. Anyone who knows it can reset your Apple ID password on your phone.

Troubleshooting

“Cannot Connect to Apple ID Server” or “Verification Failed”

This usually means a network issue. Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular data, or vice versa. Restart your iPhone, then try again. If the problem persists, check Apple’s System Status page (apple.com/support/systemstatus) to see if there’s an outage.

You don’t receive the verification code

Make sure your phone has signal and that SMS isn’t blocked. If you have multiple trusted numbers, choose a different one. You can also tap “Didn’t get a code?” and choose to send it to another device you own. On that device, the code will appear as a pop-up notification.

You don’t remember your iPhone passcode

Without the passcode, the on-device reset won’t work. Go to iforgot.apple.com on any computer or another phone, enter your Apple ID, and choose “Forgot Apple ID or password.” Follow the account recovery steps. This can take a few days, as Apple verifies your identity. You’ll need access to the email address or phone number associated with the account.

“This Apple ID has been disabled”

This happens after too many failed login attempts. You can still reset the password using the same steps above—the reset will re-enable the account. If you see a message saying the account is locked for security reasons, wait 24 hours or use account recovery on the web.

Two-factor authentication code not appearing on your other devices

Make sure the other device is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID and has notifications enabled. Restart the device. If you still don’t get the code, choose “Didn’t get a code?” and use your phone number instead.

The new password doesn’t work right away

Wait a few minutes and try again. Apple’s servers can take a moment to sync the change. If it still fails, restart your iPhone and try signing in to iCloud in Settings. If you’re stuck on a password prompt in an app, close the app fully and reopen it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I reset my Apple ID password without my iPhone passcode?
A: Not directly on the phone. You’ll need to use iforgot.apple.com and go through account recovery, which may take several days. It’s much faster to reset on the device if you know the passcode.

Q: Will resetting my Apple ID password log me out of my apps?
A: No, you won’t be logged out of apps that are already running. However, apps that use iCloud or Apple ID sign-in may ask you to re-enter the new password the next time they check your account.

Q: What if I don’t have a trusted phone number anymore?
A: You can still reset using account recovery on the web. Apple will ask you to verify your identity with your recovery key (if you set one) or by answering security questions (if you have them). Otherwise, you’ll wait for the recovery period to end.

Q: How long does the password change take to apply everywhere?
A> Usually within a minute or two. Some services, like the App Store, may take a few extra minutes to recognize the new password. If you’re in a hurry, force-quit the App Store app and reopen it.

Q: Can I use the same password I used last year?
A: Apple prevents you from reusing your most recent passwords. If you try, you’ll get a message saying the password has been used before. You’ll need to create a new one.

Q: What happens to my data if I reset the password?
A: Nothing happens to your data. Your photos, contacts, notes, and other iCloud content stay intact. The password change only affects authentication, not your stored information.

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

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