Forgot iCloud Password? 7 Easy Ways to Reset

Mohsin Simmons | May 25, 2026 7 min read

A Repair shop owner and technician. He handles hundreds of problematic iPhones per month. He is experienced in identifying iPhone problems and troubleshooting in the most efficient way.

first screen forgot icloud passsword


Forgot iCloud password? You still have several ways to reset it.

The right method depends on whether you still have a trusted device, a trusted phone number, or an account recovery contact. This guide walks through Apple's official options first, then a faster tool-based option if you are fully locked out.

Nothing here needs advanced setup. Follow the method that matches your situation.


What is iCloud Password?

iCloud ID is also your Apple ID. Generally, it's an email address you use when logging into Apple devices. So, is there a difference between iCloud ID and Apple ID?

There's no difference, Apple uses an "iCloud account" on its support site, but an iCloud account is a subset of an Apple ID account.

These two accounts can be accessed using the same email ID. Note that you can use the same Apple ID that you can use with iCloud to access many Apple services, like the Apple iTunes Store, the App Store, Online Store, and the Mac App Store. When you're asked to sign in with the Apple ID, you can enter the same email address and password that you use to turn on the iCloud.


Method 1: Reset iCloud Password Via Account Recovery Contact

An account recovery contact is someone you trust who can help you get back into your account if you're locked out. They can verify your identity and share the recovery code you need, but they do not get access to your account or data.

You can contact your recovery contact via phone or in person with simple instructions on how they can generate and share with you the 6-digit recovery code, which can help you reset your iCloud password.

Requirements for using Account Recovery Contact to reset iCloud password:

  1. Your Apple Account already has an account recovery contact added.
  2. Your devices should be updated to iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, or macOS Monterey or later.
  3. Your contact needs iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 or later, or a Mac with macOS Monterey or later.
  4. Two-Factor Authentication must be turned on for both accounts.
  5. You and your contact must be over 13 years of age, and iMessage should be available for the setup request.
  6. Your contact needs a passcode set up on their device.

If you already added a recovery contact, use the steps below to get the recovery code from that person.

Steps to reset iCloud password:

  1. Share the on-screen instructions with your recovery contact. You can do this over the phone or in person.
  2. Your recovery contact then shares a 6-digit code. Enter that code on your device.
  3. Apple confirms your identity.
  4. Reset your iCloud password.

The method of Account Recovery Contact is convenient and straightforward. If you are yet to enable a recovery contact, it is wise to do so because it would help you reset your iCloud password in a faster way if you forgot it again in the future.

How to set up an account recovery contact:

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 or later

  1. Open Settings, then tap your name.
  2. Tap Sign-In & Security, then tap Recovery Contacts.
  3. Under Recovery Assistance, tap Add Recovery Contact, then verify with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
  4. set up an account recovery contact

    Set up an account recovery contact

  5. Choose one of your contacts or a suggested Family Sharing member.
  6. A family member will be added automatically upon selection, but other contacts will have to accept your request.
  7. You will get a message after that person has been added as your account recovery contact.
  8. If any of them declines, you will get a message that will prompt you to select a new account recovery contact.

Note: You can select for your account up to five recovery contacts. But you must remember them to protect your privacy because Apple doesn't know who they are.


Method 2: Reset iCloud Password Via Mobitrix LockAway (100% works)

Bonus comes! Do you want to reset your iCloud password in the fastest and easiest way? Mobitrix LockAway can save you! It's dubbed a “saviour” for the lazy person because of the least effort required. In just 20 minutes, you can reset your iCloud password and enjoy all iCloud services.

Introduction of Mobitrix LockAway:

Forgot iCloud Password? Forgot the Apple ID password? Mobitrix LockAway can erase the existing Apple ID and iCloud account on your device without a password, just with a few simple clicks. Unbelievable! Right? After that, you can use all iCloud service and Apple ID features by simply logging into a new account.

Having these situations? Mobitrix LockAway can solve all of them for you

  1. Forgot the iCloud Password
  2. Forgot the Apple ID password
  3. Unable to log in to/out of iCloud account
  4. Not able to erase iPhone
  5. Cannot turn off FMI

Upon removal of your iCloud account, you can:

  1. Shift to a different iCloud account/Apple ID or create a new one if you wish
  2. Have unlimited access to all iCloud services and Apple ID features
  3. Easily turn off Find My iPhone/iPad without a password
  4. Avoid being bothered by your previous Apple ID.

Steps:

  1. Download Download and Install Mobitrix LockAway
  2. Click on “Unlock Apple ID” in the main menu
  3. unlock apple id home

    Unlock Apple ID

  4. Click Start to remove Apple ID
  5. unlock apple id click start to remove

    Click Start to remove Apple ID

    unlock apple id progressing

    Unlock Apple ID in progress

Advantages of Mobitrix LockAway to reset your forgotten iCloud password:

  1. You won’t have to remember your iCloud Password.
  2. No need for complex iTunes.
  3. The interface is neat and has a few steps only.
  4. The whole process is fast and takes only 20 minutes.
  5. It enjoys a 99% success rate.
  6. It is 100% Privacy Protection.
  7. It fully supports iPhone 5s to iPhone 17 and iOS 26 and earlier versions.

Trust me! If you are not sure how you set up security for your iCloud account and you can’t access another Apple device. Mobitrix LockAway is your best choice. There are other free and official ways that you can use to reset your iCloud password, but they either need some strict requirements, or they are time and effort-consuming with a low success rate. All these have been discussed in this piece, and you can give it a try if you're not in an emergent situation.


Method: 3 How to reset iCloud Password via Two-factor authentication

Generally, if you have already logged into iCloud on your iPhone and have enabled the two-factor authentication, resetting your iCloud Password will be like a walk in the park.

You can change the password directly in Settings or System Settings on a trusted device. Apple can also send the reset flow to a trusted device from the web when you start at iforgot.apple.com.


A. How to reset iCloud Password on a trusted iPhone or iPad's Settings

You may be unsure if you have any trusted devices but let that not bother you because you create trusted devices when setting up two-factor authentication.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security.
  2. Tap Change Password.
  3. Enter your device passcode, then follow the prompts to enter a new password.
ios15 iphone 12 pro settings apple id password security change password

Reset iCloud Password on a trusted iPhone's Settings


B. How to reset iCloud Password on a Mac

If you have macOS Catalina or later, you can do the same thing from System Settings.

Steps:

  1. Open the Apple menu.
  2. Open System Settings, then click your name. On older macOS versions, go to System Preferences, then Apple ID or iCloud account details.
  3. Click Sign-In & Security.
  4. Click Change Password.
  5. (You may be asked for the password you use to unlock your Mac.)

  6. Enter your new password, confirm it, and finish the change. You will need to sign in again with that new password on your other Apple devices.
macos monterey system preferences apple id password security

Reset iCloud Password on a Mac


C. Via iforgot apple.com

Steps:

  1. Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple Account email address or trusted phone number.
  2. Click Continue. Apple may send a sign-in prompt to a trusted iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  3. Open that prompt on the trusted device and tap Allow if asked.
  4. Follow the steps shown, enter the device passcode if required, then create the new password.
ios14-iphone-11-pro-ipad-pro-two-factor-authentication-hero

Reset iCloud Password via iforgot

Two-factor authentication adds a second check to your Apple Account, usually a six-digit code sent to a trusted device or trusted phone number. It also makes password resets easier because Apple already has a trusted path back to you. If you have not turned it on yet, use the steps below:

How to turn on Two Factor Authentication

When using a current iPhone or iPad

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security.
  2. Tap Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
  3. Tap Continue.
  4. Add and verify a trusted phone number, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 4: How to reset iCloud Password via Email or Security Questions

Suppose you haven’t enabled the two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. In that case, you can opt to reset your iCloud Password via recovery email or answer security questions (if you’ve already set them up).

reset via iforget by security questions

Reset iCloud password via recovery e-mail or security questions

Steps:

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com, click Sign in
  2. Click Forgot Apple ID or password?
  3. Enter your Apple ID and click Continue
  4. You will have an option of either answering security questions or using email to reset your password

If you opt for email authentication, Apple will send you a message through your backup email address. You can then follow the instructions in the link and reset your Apple ID password.

If you decide to go for “Answer Security Questions”, all you need to enter is the correct answer to the security questions that you’ve personally set up previously, and then click on “Next.”

After that, enter your new password in the two fields and click “Reset Password.”


Method 5: How to reset iCloud Password via someone else's device

If you cannot use any of your own Apple devices, you can borrow one from a friend or family member and start the reset there. Apple now points most users to the Apple Support app for this situation.

A. Via Apple Support App

If your friend or family member does not have this app yet, they can download it from the App Store and then follow these steps:

  1. Open the Apple Support app
  2. reset iphone via apple support app
  3. Scroll down to Support Tools, then tap Reset Password.
  4. Tap Help Someone Else.
  5. Enter the Apple Account email address or phone number that needs the reset.
  6. Tap Continue and follow the instructions until Apple confirms the password change.
  7. Apple says the information you enter in this borrowed-device flow is not stored on that device.

Note: If the borrowed device is very old and still has the legacy Find My iPhone app, you might also see a forgot-password path there. On newer devices, use the Apple Support app instead.


B. Using Find My iPhone App

Steps:

  1. Open the older Find My iPhone app if that is the only option on the borrowed device.
  2. On the sign-in screen, make sure the Apple ID field is empty and remove anyone else's details if they appear.
  3. Tap Forgot Apple ID or Password and follow the onscreen reset steps.

Method 6: How to reset iCloud Password via Recovery Key

Are you still using the older two-step verification? If so, then you will need a recovery key (This is a 14-digit code that you receive from Apple once you set up two-step verification). If you don't remember the recovery key, it’s impossible to try this method. Don’t hesitate to try Mobitrix LockAway. You can reset your iCloud password within 20 minutes without any hassle. Sounds interesting huh!

iforgot apple id

Reset iCloud Password via Recovery Key

Steps:

  1. Log in to iforgot.apple.com
  2. You will have to enter your Apple ID and continue and go for the reset your password option before clicking again on continue.
  3. Enter your recovery code and click on continue
  4. Choose a trusted device before entering the confirmation code
  5. Get a new password and finally click on; Reset Password and there you go!

Keep several copies of the recovery key because if you lose it with your trusted devices, you will never access your account. Instead, you will have to create a new Apple ID.


Method 7: How to reset iCloud Password via Account Recovery

So, what is Account Recovery? This is a process intended to give you access back into your Apple ID account if you lack the adequate information needed to reset your password. To keep a possible security breach at bay, it might take several days or even longer before accessing your account. It is advisable to use the account recovery method as a last resort when you can't completely sign in or reset your iCloud Password.

Steps:

  1. When resetting your Password via iforgot or iOS, you will come across the Request Account Recovery option. If you see it, go for it.
  2. Key in a phone number that Apple can use to contact you when your account is ready to access. Bear in mind that you will have to be patient because it’s difficult to estimate when Apple will reach out.
  3. Go to iforgot.apple.com, type your Apple ID and the phone number you used during step two into the system and then wait for a call or text with a specific Account Recovery code.
  4. After receiving the call or text, log into the iforgot website and type the code in.
  5. Click Continue to complete resetting your password.

You can check the status of your account recovery at any time during the wait. Also, try to avoid using the device tied to this Apple ID, including any other device signed in with the same account. After that, it’s better to sign in to your account to confirm your trusted phone number and recovery details.

Tip: Whatever method you choose, sign in to your Apple account soon after the reset. That helps you confirm the new password has updated on your other devices.


Summary

Passwords matter for privacy, but being locked out is frustrating. From what this article covered, you have 7 ways to reset your iCloud password.

Even though some are complicated, and others tend to take a lot of time, Mobitrix LockAway is simple and easy yet guarantees a 99% success rate. So, the next time you're stuck, bet that you now know what will work well for you.