How do I reset a forgotten Apple ID password without my old phone number?
Answer
Use Apple’s official iforgot.apple.com recovery flow and choose every available trusted method you still control—email, a trusted device, or account recovery. If the old phone number is gone, Apple’s delayed account recovery is often the path when no other trusted method works.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Stop if a site or popup asks you to pay to unlock an Apple ID or install unknown software.
- Erasing the phone or changing recovery details mid-process can make Activation Lock or account recovery harder.
Follow these steps
Open Apple’s official password reset page
On a computer or the new phone’s browser, go to iforgot.apple.com. Enter the Apple ID email address and continue only on Apple’s pages.
You should see: Apple shows identity verification options for that Apple ID.
Use every trusted method you still control
Choose email verification, a different trusted phone number, or a trusted device if those options appear. Complete the prompts Apple shows instead of guessing codes sent to the old number.
You should see: You either reset the password immediately or see that account recovery is required.
Start Account Recovery when the old number is gone
If Apple cannot verify you with available methods, select Account Recovery and submit the request. Keep the phone or browser available for Apple’s status updates during the waiting period.
You should see: Apple confirms that account recovery has started and shows when to check back.
Sign in on the new phone after the reset
When Apple lets you create a new password, sign in with the Apple ID on the new phone. Update the trusted phone number to your current number right away in Apple ID settings.
You should see: The new phone signs in and a current trusted number is saved for next time.
Avoid mixing in other account resets
Stay on Apple ID recovery only. Do not enter Gmail or Microsoft password-reset flows unless you are recovering a different account that is unrelated to this Apple ID.
You should see: You finish Apple’s recovery path without confusing it with other providers.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Forgot Apple ID or password page, trusted phone number unavailable, recovery email options, and Account Recovery waiting period notices
Before you change anything: Use a browser you trust and go only to iforgot.apple.com or Apple’s official Settings recovery screens. Have any remaining recovery email addresses ready. Do not erase the new phone until you know whether Find My or Activation Lock is involved. Never share Apple ID passwords or one-time codes with unexpected callers.