How do I recover or change an Apple ID password on an iPhone?
Answer
If the iPhone is already signed in, try Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. If that is blocked, Screen Time restrictions, Stolen Device Protection, or a short security delay after setup are common causes. If you are signed out, use Apple’s official iforgot.apple.com recovery flow instead of third-party “unlock” sites.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Stop if a site or popup asks you to pay to unlock an account or install unknown software.
- Erasing the iPhone will not remove an Apple ID you do not know; it can make recovery harder if Find My is on.
Follow these steps
Try Change Password while signed in
On the iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-In & Security (or Password & Security on older iOS). Tap Change Password and follow the on-screen prompts using your device passcode when asked.
You should see: You can set a new Apple ID password, or you see a clear message explaining why changes are blocked.
Check Screen Time restrictions
If changes are blocked, go to Settings > Screen Time. If Screen Time is on, review Content & Privacy Restrictions and account-change locks. Unlock with the Screen Time passcode if you set one, then return to Sign-In & Security and try Change Password again.
You should see: Account changes are allowed, or you know a Screen Time passcode is required.
Allow Stolen Device Protection delays to finish
If you see that you cannot make changes right now after a recent setup or away from familiar places, stay in a trusted location with the phone online and wait for the security delay described on screen. Do not factory reset to bypass it.
You should see: The delay ends and Sign-In & Security accepts password changes, or the message still points to a specific protection feature.
Use official recovery if signed out
If you cannot sign in at all, open a browser and go to iforgot.apple.com (or the Apple ID account page from Apple’s site). Start password reset with the trusted phone number or email on the account. Prefer a verification code on your own devices over unknown “support” callers.
You should see: Apple sends a reset path you control, or account recovery begins with an estimated wait time.
Stop at scam or payment prompts
If any site or caller asks you to pay to unlock the Apple ID, install remote-access software, or read back a code they did not request through Apple’s official flow, stop and return to Settings or iforgot.apple.com only.
You should see: You stay on Apple’s official recovery path without sharing codes with strangers.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Messages such as you cannot make changes right now, Screen Time or Restrictions prompts, Stolen Device Protection delays, and whether you are still signed into iCloud.
Before you change anything: Use only Settings on the iPhone or Apple’s official account site. Know your current device passcode and any Screen Time passcode. Do not erase the iPhone just to reset the Apple ID password. Never share your Apple ID password or one-time codes with unexpected callers or popups.