It happens to everyone. You’re sitting there, trying to download a new app or sign into a new MacBook, and suddenly the screen stares back at you with that judgmental blank box. You realize you have no idea what your credentials are. Honestly, the question how do i get my password for apple id is one of the most searched tech queries for a reason. Apple’s security is like a digital fortress, which is great for keeping hackers out but kinda terrible when you’re the one locked on the outside of your own life.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. You cannot actually "get" your old password back. Apple doesn't store it in a way that their employees or even their automated systems can read back to you. They use end-to-end encryption. This means if you're looking for a way to see the actual string of characters you forgot, you’re basically out of luck unless you saved it in a physical notebook or a third-party password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden.
What you’re really doing is a reset.
The Trusted Device Shortcut
If you have an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac that is already signed in, you are in luck. This is the path of least resistance. Apple trusts the hardware you already own more than it trusts a random web browser.
On an iPhone or iPad, just head into Settings. Tap your name at the very top. Then look for Password & Security (or Sign in & Security depending on your iOS version). There is a button right there that says Change Password.
Here is the kicker: it will ask for your iPhone passcode. Not your Apple ID password, but the 4 or 6-digit code you use to unlock your phone every morning. Once you put that in, Apple lets you pick a brand-new password on the spot. No emails, no security questions about your first pet, nothing. It’s incredibly fast.
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MacOS works similarly. If you're on a MacBook or iMac, go to the Apple menu in the corner, hit System Settings, click your name, and follow the same "Sign in & Security" breadcrumbs. As long as you know your Mac's login password, you can override the Apple ID password entirely. It’s a literal lifesaver for the forgetful among us.
What If I’m Totally Locked Out?
Maybe your phone is broken. Maybe you just bought a new one and can't get into the old one. This is where things get a bit more "detective work."
You need to head to iforgot.apple.com.
This is Apple’s official recovery hub. You’ll need to enter your Apple ID email address. If you can’t even remember that, try your phone number. Most people nowadays have their Apple ID tied directly to their primary mobile number.
The site will walk you through a series of prompts. If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) turned on—and you really should—it will send a ping to your other Apple devices. But if you don’t have those devices handy, look for the tiny link that says "Don't have access to your Mac or iPhone?" or "Didn't get a code?" This triggers the secondary verification methods. You might have to verify a credit card on file or answer those old-school security questions if your account is ancient.
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Using Someone Else’s Phone (The Support App)
Believe it or not, you can use a friend’s iPhone to get back into your account without messing up their data. Apple actually built an app for this. It’s called Apple Support.
- Have your friend download the Apple Support app from the App Store.
- Open it up and tap on Tools at the bottom.
- Tap Reset Password.
- Select "A different Apple ID."
Enter your Apple ID, and the app will guide you through the reset process. This is way more reliable than trying to use a mobile web browser, which can sometimes get stuck in a loop. It uses the friend's device as a temporary "trusted" gateway to verify you are a real human being.
The Account Recovery Waiting Game
Sometimes, you fail all the tests. You don't have the phone, you don't have the Mac, and you don't know the recovery key. When this happens, Apple puts you in "Account Recovery."
This is the digital equivalent of purgatory.
Apple’s system will take a few days (sometimes weeks) to verify your identity. They do this to make sure a thief isn't trying to hijack your account. You’ll get an automated message telling you when your account will be ready for a reset. Pro tip: Do not use the device or the website while you are waiting. Every time you try to sign in during the waiting period, the timer can actually reset or get longer because the system thinks you might be an intruder. Just walk away. Wait for the text or the automated phone call.
The Recovery Contact Method
If you’re reading this and you actually managed to get back in, do yourself a massive favor. Set up a Recovery Contact.
This is a feature Apple added relatively recently. You can designate a spouse, a parent, or a best friend as your "recovery contact." If you ever get locked out again and the question of how do i get my password for apple id pops up, you just call them. They get a short code on their iPhone, they read it to you, and boom—you’re back in. They don't get access to your photos or your messages; they just hold a digital key that proves you are who you say you are.
To set this up:
- Go to Settings
- Tap your Name
- Sign in & Security
- Account Recovery
- Add Recovery Contact
It takes thirty seconds and saves hours of stress down the line.
Common Misconceptions About Resetting
People often think that if they go to an Apple Store, a "Genius" can just look up their password. They can't. The staff at the Apple Store has the exact same tools you have at home. They will literally hand you an iPad and tell you to go to the "iforgot" website. Don't waste the gas money unless you literally don't own a single other computer or phone to use.
Another weird thing is the Recovery Key. Some people turn this on thinking it's "extra secure." It is. But it’s also dangerous. If you turn on a 28-character Recovery Key and you lose it, Apple cannot help you. At all. You lose your photos, your notes, and your purchases forever. Unless you are a high-security target or an investigative journalist, you're probably better off sticking to the standard 2FA and a Recovery Contact.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently locked out, start with the Apple Support app on a friend's phone or use the Settings app on an iPad you still have access to. If those aren't options, go to iforgot.apple.com immediately to start the clock on account recovery. The sooner you start the process, the sooner that "waiting period" ends. Once you're back in, immediately verify that your trusted phone number is up to date and add a Recovery Contact so you never have to deal with this headache again. Check your iCloud Keychain settings as well; making sure your passwords sync across devices can prevent this from being a total disaster next time.