Method 1: Reset iCloud Password Using Your Phone Number (on iPhone/iPad)
- Open Settings
- Go to your iPhone or iPad Settings.
- Tap your name at the top (Apple ID banner).
- Go to Password & Security
- Tap Password & Security.
- Tap Change Password.
- Verify Your Identity
- If your device is locked with a passcode, you’ll need to enter your device passcode first.
- Use Your Phone Number
- Apple will send a verification code to your trusted phone number.
- Enter the code received via SMS.
- Create a New Password
- Type a new password for your iCloud account.
- Make sure it’s strong: at least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Confirm the password.
- Done
- Your iCloud password is now reset.
- You may need to sign in again on all devices using your new password.
Method 2: Reset iCloud Password Using Your Email (via Apple ID website)
- Go to Apple’s iForgot Page
- Open a browser on your phone or computer and visit: https://iforgot.apple.com
- Enter Your Apple ID
- Type your Apple ID email (the one associated with iCloud).
- Tap Continue.
- Choose Recovery Option
- You can select Get an email.
- Apple will send instructions to your recovery email address.
- Check Your Email
- Open the email from Apple and click the link to reset your password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Set a New Password
- Enter a new, strong password and confirm it.
- Sign In on Devices
- After resetting, you’ll need to sign in again on all devices using the new password.
Tips for a Smooth Reset
- Make sure your device is connected to the internet.
- Have your trusted phone number or email ready.
- Avoid using passwords that you’ve used on other accounts.
- If you don’t receive a verification code, check spam/junk email folders or try resending the code.
- Here’s a deeper look — with real‑world case studies, common pitfalls, and user comments — showing how people have reset (or tried to reset) their iCloud (or Apple ID) password using a phone number or email. I also highlight what tends to go smoothly — and what often goes wrong.
Typical (Successful) Reset Flows — What Usually Works
When you have access to your trusted phone number or email
According to the official procedure from Apple: you can reset your password by visiting iforgot.apple.com (or using the Apple Support app), entering your Apple ID (email), then using the phone number or email linked to your account to receive a verification code. Once you get the code, you verify it, create a new password, and regain access. (iDownloadBlog.com)
One guide outlines the steps clearly:
- Borrow an iPhone/iPad (if you don’t have one) — the device doesn’t retain your data. (iDownloadBlog.com)
- Go to iforgot.apple.com → Reset Password → Help Someone Else. (iDownloadBlog.com)
- Enter the email tied to the Apple ID, then the trusted phone number. (iDownloadBlog.com)
- Tap Send code, enter the 6‑digit verification code from SMS. (iDownloadBlog.com)
- (If you enabled a “Recovery Key,” you may need to enter it.) Then — set a new password and confirm. (iDownloadBlog.com)
When all steps are valid (active phone number, working email, correct Apple ID), many users succeed quickly — sometimes in just a few minutes.
When you have a “trusted device” already signed into iCloud
If you’ve got an Apple device (like your iPhone or iPad) already logged into iCloud and protected with a passcode, you can reset the password straight from that device: open Settings → [your name] → Password & Security → Change Password. (Apple Support)
This is often the simplest and fastest method.
Common Problems & Case Studies — What Often Goes Wrong
Despite these official steps, many users run into real‑world issues. Here are recurring problems based on user posts and community threads.
Locked out because phone number or email is outdated / lost
“I forgot my iCloud password … they ask me for my phone number … I do have access to both … then I get a message like ‘please wait 24 hours…’ then ‘now wait 7 days…’ after that no notification at all.” (Reddit)
In some cases, even if you provide the correct phone number and email, the recovery process never completes. People report being stuck: no SMS, no email, and no follow-up after the waiting period. (Reddit)
One user described a long delay:
“I have iPhone 14 … I linked it with phone number and email that both are accessible … I’m waiting for 50h with no texts sent … Apple sent the password reset link after 8 days!” (Reddit)
These frustrating experiences show that having a valid phone number or email does not always guarantee a smooth reset — especially if the account is old or security configurations changed.
“Recovery loops” — account stuck in limbo
Some people report they’re stuck in a loop where the system keeps saying “we’ll notify you when recovery is complete,” but nothing ever happens: no call, no email, no notice. They try again and again, to no avail. (Reddit)
This often happens when the account lacks a “trusted device” or when two‑factor authentication (2FA) was misconfigured, changed, or when details (phone number / email) are outdated.
When you lack both trusted devices and current phone/email
In these worst-case scenarios, resetting the password becomes very difficult. Several users say they never managed to recover the account, even after following all guidelines — sometimes for months. (Reddit)
One user said:
“When I try to reset it, it says instructions will be sent to the email — which I cannot access — and I have no option to change that to another email or phone number.” (Reddit)
In such cases, the only remaining option is to begin the formal “account recovery” with Apple — which can take several days or even weeks. (Apple Support)
Real‑World Examples & User Comments — What People Say
Here are some actual quotes and stories from users trying to deal with iCloud/Apple ID password resets:
“I’ve been trying to reset my iCloud mail for four months… continuous loop of wait and we will notify you … which never ever happened.” (Reddit)
“Forgot my password… the code was sent to my trusted phone number … then they said to wait and never got anything.” (Reddit)
“I went through account recovery multiple times, got confirmation emails, but never received the call/text.” (Reddit)
In contrast, other users had quick success:
“I had my phone and email linked — the code arrived on SMS instantly, I entered it, and reset the password in 5 minutes.” (paraphrased from general success reports on Apple forums) (Apple Support)
Key Lessons & Good Practices (Based on Real Experience)
From both Apple’s documentation and user-contributed stories, a few patterns emerge — things you should do, and mistakes to avoid:
- Keep your trusted phone number and email up to date — if you lose access to them, recovery becomes much harder.
- Have at least one trusted Apple device signed in — resetting via a trusted device is usually easiest and fastest.
- Be prepared for delays — especially if you don’t have trusted devices: waiting several days or even over a week isn’t uncommon.
- Use trusted contacts / recovery key if configured — having a fallback helps if phone/email become unreachable.
- Beware of scams and phishing — especially fake “reset password” emails or unsolicited calls claiming to be support. Always use official channels like iforgot.apple.com. (Gadget Lite)
What This Means for You (If You’re Trying to Reset iCloud Now)
If you still have access to your linked phone number and you know your Apple ID email, the most reliable method remains:
- Use a trusted device (iPhone/iPad) if available.
- Or go via the official iforgot site (or Apple Support app), request a code to your phone number, then set a new password.
If you don’t have access to the phone number or the linked email, prepare for account recovery, which could take several days — and be ready with as much info about the account as possible (past purchase receipts, devices used, etc.).