Forgot your Apple ID password? Here’s how to reset it

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Reset your password with these simple steps.
Reset your password with these simple steps.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

With Apple’s new two-step authentication procedures in place, resetting your password is a little trickier than it used to be. That’s a good thing, because if it’s tough for you, it’s even tougher for scammers to get into your iPhone, even if it’s stolen.

Here’s how to reset your Apple ID password with Apple’s current security system.

You’ll need your Apple ID, your Recovery Key (from when you set up two-step authentication), and your Apple ID Password. You’ll also need your Trusted Device, which hopefully is still in your possession.

Enter your Apple ID

Enter your Apple ID here.
Enter your Apple ID here.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Navigate to Apple’s recovery page (https://iforgot.apple.com), either on your Mac or your iOS device. Enter your Apple ID, and then click the Continue button below.

If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID, click on the “Forgot Apple ID?” link just below the address field and type in your first name, last name, and email address. If the email address you enter here is associated with your Apple ID (or is the actual email you use as your Apple ID), You’ll get an “Apple ID Found” message with your Apple ID displayed for you.

Enter your Recovery Key

Sure hope you saved this bit of information.
Sure hope you saved this bit of information.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Next, you’ll need to enter your Recovery Key. This is the string of letters and numbers you received when you set up two-step authentication. If you can’t find this, you might be out of luck. If you’re reading this before you actually lose your password, you can login and get a new Recovery Key.

Enter your verification code

Enter your verification code here.
Enter your verification code here.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

You’ll need to request a verification code now and send it to one of your trusted devices, which can be setup by enabling Find my iPhone on them. Enter the verification code that Apple will send to your trusted device here, then click on the Continue button.

Enter a new password

Use a unique, strong password - but don't forget it again.
Use a unique, strong password – but don’t forget it again.
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

Finally, you’ll want to enter a new password here. It can’t be one you’ve used recently, either — so be sure to choose something that you can remember (or write it down temporarily) that has eight or more characters, upper and lowercase letters and at least one number.

You should be good to go, now, with a new password, an Apple ID you remember, and a Recovery Key in case (heaven forfend) you need to go through this process if you forgot your Apple ID password again.

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