Apple ID Account Recovery Methods

If you ever lose your Apple ID account password, you can recover it using one of three methods Apple provides. By default you can use their recovery service which could take a lot of time. But you can set a Recovery Contact to let a trusted person help you recover your account, or you can set a Recovery Key as the ultimate secure method of recovering your account.



Here are the links mentioned in this post:
If you forgot your Apple ID password – https://support.apple.com//HT201487
Having trouble signing in? – https://iforgot.apple.com
Set up an account recovery contact – https://support.apple.com//HT212513How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password – https://support.apple.com//HT204921
Help a friend or family member as their account recovery contact – https://support.apple.com//HT212515
How to generate a recovery key – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208072

Comments: 18 Responses to “Apple ID Account Recovery Methods”

    Marshal
    2 years ago

    Hey Gary! Really great topic.
    Do you know how I disable the option to reset my Apple ID pass with my iPhone passcode?

    2 years ago

    Marshal: If someone has your iPhone and your passcode, then they can access any passwords you have stored. So the only way to protect yourself is to keep your passcode secret.

    Marshal
    2 years ago

    You are right. The problem is when we are robbed and the thief threatens us.
    In this case, the only way to protect your Apple ID is to erase the iPhone as fast as you can? Cause I heard histories that the iPhone vanished from the Find My in seconds…

    2 years ago

    Marshal: So an assault situation? Well, I don't know what to say about that. Probably should be talking to someone else if that is your concern.

    Marshal
    2 years ago

    Yes, an assault. The thief ask for your iPhone and the unlock password before run away.
    I think the possibility of reset your iCloud password with you iPhone unlock pass is a huge failure from Apple. There should be at least a way to turn that off.

    2 years ago

    Marshal: Wow. I'm sorry that happened to you. There's really no good way to protect against that. If you can't get into your own account with your own password, then how are you to use anything yourself?

    Marshal
    2 years ago

    Humn sorry! English isn’t my first language and maybe I used the wrong verb times.
    There is the iCloud pass and there is the iphone unlock pass with 4 or 6 digits, correct? The thief just asked for the iphone unlock pass and could take my iCloud account which is a totally different password because of this “feature” of iPhone that allows you to reset the iCloud pass using the iPhone unlock pass.

    2 years ago

    Marshal: So this didn't happen to you? I see this as very unlikely to happen to anyone, unless they are a spy in a movie. It is a very dangerous way for a thief to steal an account. There are accounts out there with weak passwords they can get from afar. I don't know how it would be worth the risk to assault someone to temporarily steal an account like that. I don't think it has ever really happened. Maybe once or twice by thieves who don't understand what they are doing. But you could always go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions and place a restriction behind another password to stop someone with the passcode from making Account Changes. Then they could just ask you for that too, I suppose.

    Karl
    2 years ago

    Gary, how many characters long can your Apple ID password be? I heard 32 in the past.

    2 years ago

    Karl: Not sure. Why does it matter? If you are creating a new one and go over the limit, I'm sure it would tell you. I wouldn't go quite that long though. Imagine needing to enter it in an emergency situation into a browser, or worse yet a TV device with a remote control. Anything over about 12 characters is just as strong as long as it is unique and truly random.

    Karl
    2 years ago

    Gary, because the longer the password the more secure you are.

    2 years ago

    Karl: Technically, yes. But if a 14-character unique random password is realistically impossible to break, then a longer one won't make any difference. But it will make a difference in a situation where you need to type it. Go ahead and use a 32-character password if you like, but there are drawbacks.

    Peter Cox
    2 years ago

    Hi Gary. Alll devices have to be running the latest operating system to use the trusted person option. My trusty iPad mini can’t run the latest iOS. Just a comment for information. Regards. Peter

    nick
    2 years ago

    Thanks Gary, very useful and I've passed this on to all my family members. Not sure if it's a version difference between my and your Mac (mine is 12.1) but on the Account Recovery screen I don't see an option for a Recovery Key, but there's one for a Legacy Contact, in case of death, which is also a good idea to set that up. Any ideas?

    2 years ago

    nick: Not sure why you wouldn't see it. But it could be that you are behind on your updates, yes.

    Karl
    2 years ago

    Gary, what are the drawbacks to a longer password say one that’s 32 characters long, having to type it in? I don’t find myself typing in my iCloud password on a regular basis. Thanks

    2 years ago

    Karl: One example: You find you need to type it in to your TV. Recently had to do this on a Roku TV to access my Apple TV+ content. 32 characters on a TV remote control isn't fun. If a 14-character password is virtually impossible to break and you have 2FA anyway, then why do a 32-character one? Where do you draw the line? If you can do 100, then why not 100? Or 1,000?

    Karl
    2 years ago

    I understand what you’re saying. That would be a pain. And that’s why I have an Apple TV box. :-)
    I’m not trying to argue with you, just having a discussion. I love your videos. Please keep doing what you’re doing. Stay safe.

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