My iPhone Was Broken… And Then I Forgot My Apple ID Password

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Let me tell you a story — one that many of us, unfortunately, know all too well.

My trusty iPhone, the digital sidekick that’s been with me through late-night calls, hilarious group chats, and countless pictures of my dog, finally gave up the ghost. It slipped off the counter (thanks to an overly enthusiastic cat) and met its doom. The screen went black. It wouldn’t turn on. Not even a hard reset could bring it back.

I sighed, accepted defeat, and after a quick trip to the Apple Store and a dent in my bank account, I had a shiny new iPhone. I was ready to start fresh, or so I thought. Setting it up was smooth until I hit a wall I hadn’t expected: I forgot my Apple ID password.

That one tiny detail — my Apple ID — was the gatekeeper to everything: my iCloud backups, my contacts, photos, app purchases, and more. It was like forgetting the key to your entire digital life.

If you’ve ever been in this boat, or if you’re here because you’re in it right now, I’ve got you. Here’s the full guide on what to do if you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, what account recovery means, and how to navigate it without pulling your hair out.

Step 1: Take a Breath — You’re Not Alone

First, know this: You’re not the first person to forget your Apple ID password. Apple knows it happens and has a system in place to help. But it does require a few steps and a little patience, especially if you don’t have access to any of your trusted devices.

Step 2: Try to Reset Your Password the Easy Way

Before diving into account recovery (which we’ll get to), let’s try the basic reset process.

📲 Option 1: Use Your iPhone or Apple Device (if you’re logged in somewhere else)

If you’re still logged into your Apple ID on another device (like an iPad or MacBook), you might be able to reset your password easily:

Go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
Tap Change Password.
You’ll be prompted to enter your device passcode.
Follow the steps to reset your Apple ID password.

This only works if you’re logged in and have access to a trusted device. If your old phone is gone and this is your only Apple device, you’ll need to try another method.

💻 Option 2: Use Apple’s Official Website

You can reset your Apple ID password from a browser:

Go to https://iforgot.apple.com/
Enter your Apple ID (that’s your email address).
Follow the on-screen instructions.

Depending on your account’s security settings, you may be asked to:

Enter a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number.
Answer the security questions you set up when you created your account.

If you don’t have access to any of your trusted devices or phone numbers, or you can’t remember your security answers, you’ll be directed to start account recovery.

Step 3: What is Account Recovery?

So, let’s talk about Apple’s Account Recovery. What exactly is it?

In simple terms:

Account recovery is Apple’s way of verifying your identity when you don’t have access to your Apple ID login information or trusted devices. It’s like Apple saying, “Okay, you say you’re the account owner — prove it.”

This process exists to protect you (and your data) in case someone else is trying to get into your account. It’s secure, but it’s also slow. And it requires patience.

Step 4: How to Start Account Recovery

If you’ve exhausted all other options and still can’t reset your password, you’ll be prompted to start account recovery.

Here’s how that works:

Go to iforgot.apple.com
Enter your Apple ID and click Continue.
When prompted, choose Can’t access your trusted device or phone number?
Follow the instructions to begin the recovery process.

What You’ll Need:

An email address where Apple can contact you.
A phone number associated with the account (if you can access it).
Details about your account, such as when you last accessed it or what Apple devices are tied to it.

Step 5: Waiting for Account Recovery

Once you initiate account recovery, Apple will send you updates about your status. You’ll get a message like this:

“We’ve received your request. Account recovery will take approximately [X] days. We’ll notify you at [your email or phone number] when you’re able to regain access.”

The estimated time can vary, from a few hours to several days, depending on:

How much info can you provide
Whether your identity can be verified quickly
How recently have you used your account or changed any settings

You’ll Get a Recovery Date

Apple will tell you the estimated recovery date. You’ll have to wait until then before you can proceed. They’re basically running behind-the-scenes checks to make sure you are who you say you are.

Step 6: What Happens During Account Recovery?

During this time, Apple is:

Reviewing your device history
Checking your location
Cross-referencing past logins
Looking for any suspicious activity

It’s all part of keeping your account secure. Unfortunately, there’s no way to speed it up — not even calling Apple Support. Trust me, I tried.

Step 7: The Finish Line — Regaining Access

When Apple finishes the verification process, you’ll get a text or email saying:

“Your Apple ID is ready for recovery.”

You’ll be provided with a link to:

Reset your password
Regain access to your Apple account

Make sure to create a strong, new password — and don’t forget it this time. (Tip: Consider using a password manager.)

Step 8: Set Up Your Device Again

Once you’re back in, setting up your iPhone becomes smooth sailing:

Restart the setup process if needed.
Enter your Apple ID and new password.
If you have an iCloud backup, restore it.
Re-enable 2-factor authentication if you had it turned on before.

Extra Tips to Make Sure You Don’t Get Locked Out Again

After going through all this, I made sure I wouldn’t end up in the same position again. Here’s what I recommend:

✅ Use a Password Manager

Apps like 1Password, LastPass, or Apple’s built-in Keychain can help you store your passwords securely.

✅ Update Your Trusted Info

Make sure your phone number, backup email, and trusted devices are up to date in your Apple ID settings.

✅ Set Up Recovery Contacts (for iCloud users)

You can assign Recovery Contacts in iOS 15 and later — friends or family who can help you recover your account.

✅ Write It Down (and store it securely)

Sometimes old-school methods work best. Just don’t tape your password to your phone case. 😅

What If I Still Can’t Get In?

If your account recovery fails or you don’t get a response after the expected recovery time, here’s what to do:

Try again at iforgot.apple.com
Contact Apple Support at support.apple.com — they can’t speed up the process, but they can guide you.
If you still have a proof of purchase (receipt, order number, etc.), have that handy in case you’re asked to verify device ownership.

Final Thoughts

Getting a new device should feel exciting, like getting a fresh start. But forgetting your Apple ID password? That can feel like hitting a digital brick wall. Still, it’s not the end of the world.

Apple has safeguards in place for a reason: to protect your data. And yes, it may be inconvenient and even frustrating to go through the recovery process, but it’s also what makes your account your account.

If you’re in the middle of this right now, hang in there. It will pass. You’ll get back into your account, set up your iPhone, and life will resume its tech-savvy flow.

In the meantime, take this opportunity to clear your head, drink some water, and maybe write down your passwords in a safe place. 😉

Have you gone through Apple account recovery before? Got tips or frustrations to share? Drop them in the comments — let’s help each other out.