How to Change Your iPhone Password in 5 Steps (with Photos)

Key Points

• Changing your iPhone password is simple and can be done in 5 easy steps.
• Reasons for changing your iPhone password include compromised security, missing login information, and software glitches.
• To change your iPhone password, go to Settings, select your Apple ID, choose Password & Security, select your preferred authentication method, and enter your new password.
• If you forgot your iPhone password, you can reset it by going to iCloud.com, clicking on ‘Forgot Apple ID or Password,’ and following the on-screen instructions.

If you’re wondering how to change your iPhone password without getting locked out of your iPhone, it’s surprisingly simple. Apple devices are a little more convoluted when navigating the security ins and outs of your Apple ID, adding family members, and 2FA.

However, changing your password is doable in 5 easy steps. Let’s break down what you need to know below!

Reasons for Changing Your iPhone Password

Change your iPhone password anytime you know or feel it’s compromised. If you write down your Apple ID and password and that information is missing, change your password. It’s rare, but anytime Apple issues security alerts, changing your password is worth considering.

Certain software glitches, conflicting updates with downloaded apps, and reasons we may never understand occasionally flag iPhones for a password change. It’s aggravating but necessary since you never really know the specifics of it.

You also need to change it at least once every few months just to add a layer of security. Anytime you change your iPhone password, always complicate it by using letters, numbers, and special characters. The harder the password, the better.

How to Change Your iPhone Password in 5 Steps

As long as you know your password (more on not knowing your password below), you don’t have to do anything wild and crazy to change your iPhone password. The method is pretty straightforward and we’ve provided the pictures to guide you through the process. Follow along with us!

Step 1: Open Settings

If it’s your first time on an Apple iPhone or iPad, the Settings symbol is a gear icon. Click it.

Apple’s Settings menus are pretty extensive and you can deal with most of your account issues from here, iCloud, or the App Store.

Step 2: Select Your Apple ID

At the top of the Settings menu, you’ll see a circular pic of your profile, along with Apple ID, iCloud+, and Media & Purchases. Select your Apple ID tab at the top to access your Apple ID Settings.

Step 3: Select Password & Security

On this screen, you have access to all of your Apple ID information, along with Find My Phone, iCloud, Media Purchases, and Apple Pay setup.

All you need to do here is select the Password & Security tab to move on to the next screen.

Step 4: Passcode, Face ID, or Biometrics

On the next screen, it will either use your face ID, fingerprint, or you’ll need to enter your passcode to unlock. It just depends on what your personal settings are.

Select your option and move on to the next screen.

Step 5: Change Your Password

Everything in this process is pretty self-explanatory. On this screen, all you need to do is enter your new password and re-enter it to verify.

Note: Make sure it’s a complicated password and you either memorize it or write it down where no one has access to it.

Once you enter your new password, it’s active from this point forward and you will use that password to access any of your own iOS-related content, whether you’re on an iPhone or accessing iCloud on a PC.

That’s all there is to it!

What if You Forgot Your iPhone Password?

If you forgot your iPhone password, jump on iCloud here to reset it. The good news is, resetting it is the same as changing it since it won’t allow you to enter your original as the new password.

Step 1: Go to Apple iCloud on a Mac or PC

The simplest way to change your iPhone password if you’ve forgotten it is to go to iCloud.com here on a PC or Mac. You don’t have to have a subscription to Apple’s extended storage plans to access your iPhone or iPad content from here.

Step 2: Click Sign In, then the Forgot Apple ID or Password Option

Of course, you don’t have any plans to sign in as you don’t remember your password, but you need to get to the next screen to let Apple know that you no longer remember your password.

Step 3: Having Trouble Signing In?

On the next page, you need to enter your Apple ID and type out the characters in the image to the right of the text.

Note: These “images” are often ridiculously difficult to decipher, however, if you click Vision Impaired, you’ll get an audio version. Or, you can click New Code until you get one that human beings can actually read.

Step 4: Enter Your Phone Number for 2FA

Two-factor authentication is necessary these days and Apple will ask you for your phone number on the next page.

Simply fill out your number and click the Continue button at the bottom of the page.

Step 5: Confirm Your 2FA

The next page will direct you back to your Apple device, whether that’s an iPhone, an iPad, a Mac, or a MacBook. You’ll do the rest of the new password input and change from there.

Step 6: Follow the On-Screen Instructions

On your iOS device, tap Allow when the message pops up on the screen. From there, you can enter your new password, enter it again for confirmation, and then confirm it for good.

Wrap Up

It doesn’t take much to change your iPhone password and it only takes an extra step if you’ve forgotten it. It’s pretty hard to lock yourself out of your iPhone forever. You would have to forget your passcode, Apple ID, and everything else.

Just remember to keep your password complicated so it’s as secure as you can make it, and never give it to anyone.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©N.Z.Photography/Shutterstock.com.