What to Know

• Go to the Apple ID/Apple Account or the iCloudsign-in page and selectForgot Apple Account or password?below the login fields.
• If you set up your Apple Account with two-step verification, you must enter your Recovery Key.
• If you lost your password and your Recovery Key, you can use an Account Recovery Contact; otherwise, you must make a new ID.

This article explains how to recover a forgotten iCloud email password or Apple Account.

How to Reset Your iCloud Mail Password

There are different steps for recovering a forgotten iCloud Mail password depending on whether you have extra security set up.You should start with these instructions:

1. Go to the Apple Account or the iCloud sign-in page.

2. Select Forgot Apple Account or password?below the login fields.

   

3. Enter your Apple Account or iCloud email address in the text box and selectContinue.

   

Jump to the next set of instructions depending on the page you see.

Your Apple Account is used for signing into iCloud, including iCloud Mail.Resetting your iCloud Mail password is a matter of resetting your Apple Account password.

Select the Information You Want to Reset

If you land on a page with the heading "Select what information you want to reset," follow these steps to reset your password:

1. Choose I need to reset my password, then select Continue.

2. On theSelect how you want to reset your passwordpage, choose from the following:

   • Get an email:Selectthis option if you have access to the email address you used to set up the account.
   • Answer security questions: Select this option if you can provide answers to the security questions created when you set up the account.

3. If you chose Get an email, select Continue.Then, go to the respective email account, open the email from Apple titled "How to reset your Apple Account password," and open the link included in the email.

   If you chose Answer security questions, select Continue.You are asked to confirm your birthday, then you are asked to answer the two security questions set up with your account.SelectContinue.

4. On the Reset Password page, enter a new Apple Account password.Enter it again to confirm that you typed it correctly.

5. Select Reset Password.

Enter the Recovery Key

You'll see this screen only if you set up your Apple Account with two-step verification.

1. Enter the Recovery Key you printed or saved to your computer when you first set up two-step verification, then selectContinue.

   

2. Check your phone for a text message from Apple.Enter that code into the Enter verification code screen on the Apple website, then selectContinue.

3. Set up a new password on the Reset Password page.

4. Select Reset Password to reset your Apple Account password.

If you followed these or similar steps more than once, you should store your password somewhere safe where you can easily recover it, like in a free password manager.?

Change Your Apple ID/Apple Account Password With Two-Factor Authentication

If you set up two-factor authentication, you can reset your Apple Account password from a trusted device.

iOS Two-Factor Authentication

Here's how to change your Apple Account password using two-factor authentication on an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch):

1. On your iOS device, open the Settingsapp and select [your name]>Password & Security>Change Password. In iOS 10.2 or earlier, go toSettings> iCloud> [your name] >Password & Security>Change Password.

   

2. Enter the passcode to your device.

3. Enter a new password and then enter it again to verify the password.

4. Select Changeto change the Apple password.

macOS Two-Factor Authentication

Here's how to change your Apple Account password using two-factor authentication on a Mac desktop or laptop computer:

1. From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

   

2. In macOS Catalina (10.15), selectApple ID/Apple Account >Password & Security, then selectChange Password.

   In macOS Mojave (10.14) or earlier, selectiCloud >Account Details>Security, then selectChange Password.

   

3. To continue, authenticate yourself by entering the password you use to log in to your Mac.

How to Recover a Lost Apple ID/Apple Account Recovery Key

If you don't know your Recovery Key, create a new one to replace the old one. You need this key to log in to an untrusted device with your Apple Account when two-step authentication is enabled.

1. Go to the Manage your Apple Account page on the Apple website and log in when asked.

2. In theSecurity section, select Edit.

   

3. Select Create New Key.

   If you don't see this option, the Recovery Key option isn't available. You should instead rely on two-factor authentication.

4. Select Continue on the pop-up message about your old Recovery Key deactivating upon the creation of a new one.

5. Press the Print Key button to save the Recovery Key.

6. Select Activate, enter the key, and then press Confirm to verify that you saved it.

How to Use an Account Recovery Contact

If you're running iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS Monterey (10.12), you have another option to access your iCloud if you lose the login information. An account recovery contact lets you designate a trusted contact who will confirm who you are to let you get into your settings.

To set an account recovery contact, you must be over 13 years of age, have two-factor authorization turned on, and have a passcode set. Your contact must use an Apple device that's also running a compatible version of the firmware. These instructions use an iPhone, but the directions will be similar on an iPad or Mac.

1. Open theSettingsapp.
   

2. Select your name.
   

3. TapPassword & Security.
   

4. ChooseAccount Recovery.
   

5. Select theplus signnext toAdd Recovery Contact.
   

6. If you have people designated as family members, you'll receive them as suggestions. Pick one of them or selectChoose Someone Else.
   

7. Choose someone from your contacts, and follow the instructions to send them a text.
   

8. Once your recipient accepts the request, they'll appear as one of your recovery options and can generate a recovery code for you.
   

• How do I change my iCloud email address?

  Change the email associated with your Apple Account to change it for your iCloud email. OpenSettingson your iOS device and select your name >Name, Phone Numbers, Email>Editunder Reachable At. Select theminus (-)next to your email address >Delete>Continueto delete, then enter the new email address and selectNextto save.

• How do I check my iCloud mail?

  To check your iCloud email in Windows 10, you'll need to set up iCloud on your PC first. However, it's also possible to check your iCloud email from a web browser. Go toicloud.com> enter your email address and password > follow the prompts to finish logging in > select theMailicon.

• How do I delete mail from my iCloud?

  To delete your iCloud email, select the message to delete and then select thegarbage can icon. Or select multiple messages, then selectDelete.