5 Methods to Recover Apple ID or Password

Apple ID is the basic requirement to gain access to a wide variety of Apple services on multiple devices – smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartwatches, and more. Furthermore, it can be used as an account for various subscriptions and paying for goods and services. As such, it holds immense importance in your life, and we understand losing it can wreak emotional and financial havoc. Being forced to start anew is never an easy thing, and should only be done when there’s no hope. Luckily, you have us at your side. Here are 5 methods to recover Apple ID –

Method 1. Check if you’re already signed in with your Apple ID

What could be an oversight can save you a lot of trouble and time, so check the devices you possess first. The method to check if you are already signed in to your Apple ID will be different in different versions of the iOS device, or the platform you are using.

Case 1. iOS

On iOS devices, there are multiple methods you can follow to figure out whether you are signed in to Apple ID or not. They are as follows –

Method 1. iCloud

1. Tap on Settings.
2. On iOS 10.2 and earlier. Tap iCloud.
3. On iOS 10.2 and later. Tap [Your Name].

Method 2. iTunes & App Stores

1. Tap Settings.
2. On iOS 10.2 and earlier. Tap iTunes & App Stores.
3. On iOS 10.2 and later. Tap [Your Name], then iTunes & App Stores.

Method 3. Calendars

1. Tap Settings.
2. On iOS 10.3 and later. Tap Passwords & Accounts.
3. On iOS 10.3 and earlier. Tap on Mail, then Contacts, then Calendars.

Method 4. Messages

1. Tap Settings.
2. Choose Messages.
3. Tap on Send & Receive.

Method 5. FaceTime

1. Tap Settings.
2. Choose FaceTime.

If you are not logged in, it will say so.

Case 2. Mac

There are multiple ways to discover an Apple ID on your Mac.

• Click on the Apple menu. Go to System Preferences, then Apple ID.
• Click on the Apple menu. Click on System Preferences, then Internet Accounts. Select the iCloud account on the sidebar.
• Open the App Store application. Click on Store, then View My Account.
• Open Messages. Click on Messages again, then Preferences, then iMessage.
• Start the FaceTime application. Click on FaceTime, then Preferences.

Case 3. iCloud

1. Visit iCloud.com.
2. If your account is signed in, you will be able to click on Account Settings to see the account details.
3. If you aren’t signed in, try and click on the username field. It might get auto-filled by the browser if you saved the username/password combination in the past.

Case 4. Apple TV

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Users and Accounts.

• Option 1. Click on iCloud.
• Option 2. Select your account. Choose Store.

Case 5. Apple ID Account page

1. Visit the Apple ID Account page.
2. Click on Forgot Apple ID or password? below the text field.
3. When asked to enter Apple ID, click on If you forgot your Apple ID.
4. Enter as many details tied to the account. Your first name, last name, and e-mail address you last remember. Don’t worry if the e-mail address isn’t correct, you can try again.

Keep in mind, in some countries and regions, Apple allows its users to use their phone number as an Apple ID instead of an e-mail address. If that’s the case with you, these steps won’t work.

Case 6. PC

• Launch the iCloud for Windows program.
• Launch the iTunes program. Click on Account, then View My Account. This will only work if you used your Apple ID to sign up for iTunes.

If you were able to see that you are already signed in to your Apple account following any one of the above methods, you do not have to go through all these painful steps. You could just rest your password.

Method 2. Try a different e-mail address

As mentioned under the “Apple ID Account page” Apple ID can be an e-mail address or a phone number (the latter only in some countries and regions). For that reason, you can try entering all of the e-mail addresses you remember and see what sticks. Or, try and recall if the reason you cannot sign in is that you changed your Apple ID to match your phone number.

Method 3. Recover forgotten Apple ID account password

If you have finally recovered your Apple ID, you only need a password to be able to log back in. But if you don’t remember that either, proceed.

Method 1. Use a different device and Apple Support

1. Get a secondary Apple device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) from a person you trust (friend, family, neighbor, etc.)
2. Have them download and install the Apple Support app from the App Store.
3. Ask them to hand the device to you. Don’t worry, nothing you enter inside the app will be stored on their phone.
4. Tap on Products.
5. Scroll down until you find Apple ID and choose that option.
6. Tap on Forgot Apple ID Password.
7. Tap Get Started.
8. Choose A different Apple ID.
9. Enter your Apple ID.
10. Tap Next.
11. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
12. If this doesn’t work, it means your iCloud isn’t signed in on an eligible device. Or, you might have turned the two-factor authentication on. It improves security significantly but will also lock you out in this case.

Method 2. Use Find my iPhone

If the person you trust has trouble downloading Apple Support or you had trouble confirming your identity, try this. Keep in mind, you need a device using iOS 9 or later to follow these steps.

1. Tap on Find My iPhone on your device.
2. Make sure the Apple ID field is empty at the Sign In screen. If your friend, family member, or neighbor has their Apple ID auto-filled, erase it.
3. If the person has already signed in to Find My iPhone, tap Sign Out. Follow step 2.
4. Tap on Forgot Apple ID or Password.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.
6. If you aren’t able to recover your password, the reason is the same as step 12 above.

Method 4. Use Apple Account recovery page

You can use the Apple account recovery page to recover a forgotten password.

Method 1. With an e-mail address and security questions

1. Open the Apple ID Account page in your browser.
2. Click on Forgot Apple ID or password? below.
3. Enter your Apple ID.
4. Choose the Reset your password option.
5. Click Continue.
6. You have three options now, based on how you set up your account.
   • If you set an alternate (rescue) e-mail on your account, click Get an email. You can also get an e-mail to the address that is simultaneously your Apple ID.
   • If you set up security questions, click on Answer security questions then proceed until you reset your password.
   • Reset your password with a Recovery Key (two-step verification).

Method 2. With a two-step verification

1. After choosing the Recovery Key option, you will be asked to enter the key you were supposed to save in a secure place when you set up two-step authentication. Its format is RK-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX. The password cannot be changed without it.
2. After you entered the key and clicked on Continue, you will be asked to choose a trusted device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch).
3. Apple will send a verification code to the device as a message.
4. Enter the code you received in the text field.
5. Enter a new password, and click on Reset Password.

Method 5. Contact Apple

Although Apple has flaws, one thing they aren’t lacking is their customer service. This will be very useful to you if all the above steps failed. Visit their Apple Support page and decide whether to go to their physical store, send an e-mail, or make a phone call. Discuss your problem and inquire about the possible solutions. After all, you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.