This wikiHow teaches you how to find or restore an Apple ID.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using an iPad or iPhone
Step 1. Open Settings
It's a gray app with a gear icon (⚙️) usually on the home screen.
Step 2. Tap Sign in to (Your Device)
It's at the very top of the Settings menu.
- If you are signed in to the device, and your name is displayed at the top of the screen, tap on it to go to a page that will display an email address below your name. This email address is your Apple ID.
- If you're using an older version of iOS, tap iCloud and check at the top if you're signed in to the device. If you are already logged in, an email address will be displayed under your name. This email address is your Apple ID.
Step 3. Tap Don't have an Apple ID or forgot it?
. This is below the field used to enter the password.
If you're using an older version of iOS, tap Forgot Apple ID or Password?
Step 4. Tap Forgot Apple ID
It's in the middle of the pop-up menu.
Step 5. Tap Forgot Apple ID?
. It's under the "Apple ID" column.
Step 6. Enter your data
Type your first name, last name and email address into the fields provided.
Step 7. Tap Next
It's in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 8. Enter your mobile number
Enter the mobile number associated with your Apple ID, then end with the last two numbers that appear on the screen.
Step 9. Tap Next
It's in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 10. Tap Reset with Phone Number
It's at the bottom of the screen.
- A text message containing a verification code will be sent to your phone number. If the verification code does not autofill itself, enter the code on the screen, then tap Next
-
If you do not have access to the phone number, tap Don't have access to your trusted number?
at the bottom of the screen, then follow the instructions provided to recover your Apple ID.
Step 11. Enter the passcode
Enter the passcode used to unlock the phone screen.
Step 12. Enter the new password
Type the new password into the field provided and re-type it in the next line.
The password must contain at least 8 characters (including 1 number, 1 uppercase letter, and lowercase letter) without using spaces. The password also cannot contain the same 3 characters in sequence (eg: ggg). The password also cannot be the same as your Apple ID or any password you have used in the past year
Step 13. Tap Next
It's in the top right corner.
Step 14. Tap Agree
If you can't automatically sign in to iCloud, enter your new password in the field provided.
Your Apple ID will appear in the column named "Apple ID"
Step 15. Tap Sign In
It's in the top right corner.
Your screen will display a message that reads "Signing into iCloud" repeatedly while the device is accessing data while the sign-in process is in progress
Step 16. Enter your iPhone passcode
This is the unlock code that you set on the device when you first set it up.
Step 17. Merge your data
Tap Merge if you want to combine various data (such as calendars, contacts, reminders, notes, and other data) stored on your iPhone with your iCloud account. If you don't want to combine the data, tap Don't Merge.
Your Apple ID (which is an email address) will appear below your name at the top of the screen
Method 2 of 2: Using a Desktop Computer
Step 1. Open the Apple menu
You can do this by clicking on the black Apple icon in the top-left corner.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's near the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Select the iCloud icon
This icon is a blue cloud on the left side of the window.
- If you sign in to your Mac using your Apple ID, it will be the email address under your name in the left pane of the window.
- You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password if you are not logged into your computer.
Step 4. Click Forgot Apple ID or password?
. It's below the password field in the dialog box.
Step 5. Click Forgot Apple ID
It's near the bottom of the dialog box.
Step 6. Click iforgot.apple.com
This is in the text in the dialog box. You can also type iforgot.apple.com into your web browser.
Step 7. Enter your information
Enter the first name, last name, and email address associated with the Apple ID. You can also enter a previous email address, but this is not necessary.
- When you have finished filling in the data, click Next.
- Your Apple ID is most likely your current email address.
Step 8. Verify your date of birth
Enter your date of birth so you can continue the process to get your Apple ID back.
Step 9. Choose the desired way to get the apple ID back
There are two options for getting your Apple ID back: You can receive your login information by email, or you can answer two security questions and display them in your web browser.
- If you wish to have this information sent by e-mail, it will be sent to your current e-mail address, as well as to any other e-mail associated with the account.
- If you prefer to answer a security question, you will be asked the two questions that you set when you first created your Apple ID.
Step 10. Reset your password
If you prefer to answer security questions, your Apple ID will appear on the next page. You must create a new password for the Apple ID. If you choose to get your Apple ID back via email, you'll receive an email with a link to reset your password. The email address you use to receive the message is your Apple ID.
