How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password
If you use two-factor authentication and can’t sign in or reset your password, you can regain access after an account recovery waiting period.
What is account recovery?
The account recovery process helps you reset your password and regain access to your account. If you can’t remember your Apple Account password, make sure you’ve tried everything else before starting account recovery – for example, using a different device that’s already signed in to change your password.
For security reasons, it might take several days or longer before you can use your account again after you start account recovery. Contacting Apple Support can’t help you shorten this time. This delay is inconvenient, but it’s important so that Apple can keep your account and information safe.
Before starting account recovery
Try other methods to access your account before starting account recovery.
If you haven’t already, try to reset your password on a trusted device.
If you don’t know which email address or phone number you use with your Apple Account, try different email addresses or phone numbers that might be associated with your Apple Account.
If you don’t have a device that you can use, you can reset your password using the Apple Support app on a family member’s iPhone or iPad. You can also visit an Apple Store and ask to use a device.
If you previously set up an account recovery contact, they can also help you reset your password.
If you know your password, but don’t have access to your trusted phone number for verification codes, learn what to do.
Start account recovery
If you’ve tried everything else, start the account recovery process.
On your Apple device
The quickest and easiest way to start account recovery is right on your device. Once you start account recovery, don’t use your other Apple devices as that might interrupt or delay the recovery process.
In Settings on an iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on a Mac, try to sign in on your device.
If you don’t know your password, you’ll get the option to start account recovery.
Turn off all other devices that are currently signed in with your Apple Account until account recovery is complete. If your Apple Account is in use during your request, your account recovery will be cancelled automatically.
If you started your account recovery in Settings, System Settings, or the Apple Support app, you can continue to use that specific device during the account recovery period.
On the web
You can also start account recovery on the web. Don’t use your Apple devices after starting account recovery.
Go to iforgot.apple.com using your device’s browser.
Click Reset Password, then follow the onscreen steps to start account recovery.
Turn off all devices that are currently signed in with your Apple Account until account recovery is complete. If possible, also turn off the device that you used to start account recovery on the web. If your Apple Account is in use during your request, your account recovery will be cancelled automatically.
After you start account recovery
You’ll get an email1 with a confirmation of your request and the date and time when you can expect to regain access. This email arrives within 72 hours.
It might be several days or more before you can reset your password. Contacting Apple Support can’t help you shorten this time.
1 If you have a phone number-based Apple Account without an email associated with it, you’ll receive this as an iMessage in the Messages app.
When the waiting period is over
Apple will send you a text or automated phone call with instructions to regain access to your account.
If you don’t receive the text or call, once the period specified in the original email is over, you can still go directly to iforgot.apple.com. Follow the instructions to regain access to your Apple Account.
Can the waiting period be shortened?
No. Contacting Apple Support can’t help you shorten this time.
Check when your account recovery request will be complete
Check the email with the date and time when you can expect to regain access. This email arrives within 72 hours.
You can also see how long it will be until your account is ready for recovery, or when more information will be available. Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter the same Apple Account email address or phone number that you used to initiate the request.
If you need to cancel account recovery
If you remember your information and can sign in successfully, your wait period cancels automatically and you can use your Apple Account immediately.
To cancel a recovery request that you did not make, follow the instructions in your confirmation email.
