While setting up a new Apple device, you'll be asked to sign into your Apple ID. If you can't remember your password, no worries. Here's how to reset your password during the setup process.
1. During device setup, select Forgot Apple ID or Password? whenever the option is available.
2. Finish the setup process.
3. Once setup is complete, select an app or another option that requires you to sign into your Apple ID. On iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, you can select Messages. On your Mac computer, follow the instructions above.
Resetting your Apple ID password without an Apple device
If you've forsaken Apple devices after previously using them, but you still need to log into your Apple ID, you have a few options. You can either borrow a friend or family member's Apple device, or you can use one of the devices in an Apple store. You can't follow the same directions as above, though. Instead, here's how to change your Apple ID password from a borrowed or in-store device.
1. Open the Apple Support app. You can also download the Apple Support app from the App Store.
2. Select Passwords & Security.
3. Select Reset Apple ID Password.
4. Select Get Started.
5. Select A different Apple ID.
6. Enter your Apple ID and follow the onscreen prompts.
7. Once your password is reset, make sure to log out. You don't want someone else to have access to your profile.
Reset your Apple ID password from the web
If all else fails, Apple has a website you can visit to reset your Apple ID password. However, Apple warns this process might take longer than the other methods on this list. But if it's your only option, visit iforgot.apple.com, follow the instructions and your password will be reset.
It's important to remember that once you change your Apple ID password on one device, you'll have to log back in on your other devices with your new password. So instead of forgetting your new password in three days and repeating this cycle again, save yourself the headache now and log back into everything while your new password is fresh in your mind.
Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.An Apple ID is your central resource for managing all your Apple services, including iCloud, Find My, Apple Music subscriptions, and more. As long as you have your Apple ID, you should be able to manage all your devices and services easily.
However, we've all had our fair share of login issues like forgetting our password or, in rare cases, forgetting the Apple ID itself. Here, we'll discuss the various options to find your Apple ID, whether you're still signed in on a device or already signed out.
What Is an Apple ID?
Your Apple ID is your unique account to access your Apple and iCloud services. An Apple ID has a login and password, like any standard account. However, the Apple ID login is usually an email address you may have used to register for iCloud when setting up your account.
An Apple ID and an iCloud account are pretty much the same, and you can use them interchangeably. In other words, iCloud is a service that can be accessed using your Apple ID.
How to Find Your Apple ID if You're Already Signed In
It's easy to find your Apple ID if you've forgotten it, but you're still signed in on your device(s). This involves accessing the Settings app and finding your Apple ID from iCloud services.
Once you've got the Apple ID address, you can use iCloud's web portal to reset the password using the Apple ID.
We've covered how to get your Apple ID on different devices in detail below:
Find Your Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad
To find your Apple ID on an iPhone or iPad that you're already logged into, follow the steps below:
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- Open up the Settings app on your iPhone.
- You should see your name at the top of the screen. Tap on this to access your Apple account and services.
- You'll see your Apple ID email address, under your name, at the top of the screen. This is the Apple ID email address you need to use if you want to log in.
- If you still don't know the password, head to the iCloud web portal and reset your Apple ID password.
Find Your Apple ID on a Mac
Follow the steps below to find your Apple ID on a Mac, assuming you're currently logged in:
- Open up System Preferences (Apple logo > System Preferences) on your Mac.
- You should see your name at the top, along with a picture. This means that your Apple ID is signed in on your Mac.
- Now, click on Apple ID to get more information.
- You'll see your Apple ID email address in the left pane under the account photo.
Find Your Apple ID on a Windows PC
If you own a Windows device and you're logged into either iCloud for Windows or iTunes, opening either application and accessing the Account section should reveal your Apple ID email address.
How to Find Your Apple ID if You're Not Signed In
Unfortunately, things get a bit more complicated if you're not logged into the iCloud service on any device. This is because you can't access the email address using the iCloud settings portal and need to use alternate methods to find it.
We've covered some methods to help you find your Apple ID if you're not signed in on any device below:
Look It Up on Apple's iForgot Page
You can try looking up your Apple ID on Apple's iForgot page. Apple will require some details from you, such as your first name, last name, and email address.
If the details match, you should get an option to either receive an email with instructions to reset your password or to answer some security questions to regain access to your Apple ID.
Try All the Email Addresses You Use
If the first method doesn't work for you, you can try Apple's password recovery page for different email addresses that you commonly use. If one of the email addresses you use is registered to an Apple account, you should get an email with password reset instructions.
Check Your Email Inbox for Apple Emails
Another possible option is to check your email inbox for any possible emails in the past from Apple. Chances are the email address you've received any such emails on is the same email address you use for your Apple account.
Once you find your Apple ID email address, you can reset the password and successfully log in to your Apple account. And when you do, feel free to change your Apple ID email address to your primary email to avoid similar issues in the future.
Keep Your Apple ID Secure
Your Apple ID is your central access system to all your Apple devices, which is why it is essential to keep it secure. Due to its importance, you may also consider enabling two-factor authentication for your Apple account to add another layer of security.
If you do ever lose access to your Apple account or forget its password, you should be able to reset it from Apple's website. However, this becomes a bit trickier if you've forgotten the Apple ID email address itself, which is when you can use the methods detailed above to try and recover it.