Your Apple Account is the account you use to access Apple services like the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime. It includes the email address and password you sign in with, plus the contact, payment, and security details you use across Apple services. Apple uses industry-standard practices to safeguard it, and there’s more you can do, too.

You can use two-factor authentication, keep your password, verification codes, and recovery key to yourself, and avoid using your password with other online accounts.

Best practices for maximizing the security of your Apple Account

• Don’t let others use your Apple Account, even family members.

  To share purchases, subscriptions, a family calendar, and more without sharing Apple Accounts, set up Family Sharing.

• Use two-factor authentication. If you created your Apple Account on a device with iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, or later, your account automatically uses two-factor authentication. If you previously created an Apple Account without two-factor authentication, turn on two-factor authentication now.
• Never provide your password, security questions, verification codes, recovery key, or any other account security details to anyone else. Apple will never ask you for this information.
• When accessing your Apple Account page in Safari or another web browser, look for the Lock icon in the address field to verify that your session is encrypted and secure.
• When using a public computer, always sign out when your session is complete to prevent other people from accessing your account.
• Avoid phishing scams. Don’t click links in suspicious email or text messages and never provide personal information on any website you aren’t certain is legitimate.
• Don’t use your password with other online accounts.
• If one of your devices is lost or stolen, turn on Lost Mode as soon as possible for that device. (You can do this on a friend’s device and don’t need to use your own.)

Add Account Recovery Contacts

If you forget your password or get locked out, Account Recovery Contacts, people you trust and choose, can help you get back into your account and reset your Apple Account password.

Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Recovery Contacts, tap Add Recovery Contact, then follow the onscreen instructions.

For more information, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security, then tap “Learn more” below Add Recovery Contact.

Add Legacy Contacts

With the Digital Legacy program, people you designate as Legacy Contacts can access your Apple Account in the event of your death.

Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact, tap Add Legacy Contact, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Generate a recovery key for your account

For additional control over your account security, you can generate a recovery key that helps you reset your account password or regain access to your Apple Account. A recovery key is a randomly generated 28-character code that you should keep in a safe place. You can reset your account password by either entering your recovery key or using another device already signed in to your Apple Account. To ensure you have access to your account, you are personally responsible for maintaining access to the recovery key and your trusted devices.

Security Keys for your Apple Account is an optional security feature designed for people (such as celebrities, journalists, and members of government) who want extra protection from targeted attacks on their account, including phishing and social engineering scams.

A security key is a small third-party hardware device that you connect to your iPad to verify your identity when you sign in to your Apple Account. The physical key replaces the six-digit verification codes normally used in two-factor authentication, which keeps them from being intercepted or requested by an attacker. You need at least two keys, and you can pair up to six.

Set up security keys

Set up at least two security keys, so you’ve got a backup if one is lost, damaged, or stolen. Your account supports pairing up to six keys.

Note: NFC security keys are not currently supported on iPad.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Two-Factor Authentication, tap Security Keys, and then tap Add Security Keys and follow the onscreen instructions.

Sign in to a device, website, or app using a security key

1. When prompted, insert your security key.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Use a security key to reset your Apple Account password

You can reset your Apple Account password with a security key that’s paired with your account if you forget it.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.

   If you aren’t already signed in to your Apple Account on your iPad, first use your paired security key to sign in.

3. Tap Change Password, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Use a security key to unlock your Apple Account

Six unsuccessful attempts in a row to sign in to your Apple Account, or other signs of suspicious activity your iPad detects, bring up an onscreen notification that your Apple Account is locked. To unlock it, use your security key.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Unlock Account and then follow the onscreen instructions to unlock your Apple Account.
4. If you think your account might have been locked because someone else knows your password, tap Change Password and enter a new one.
5. Tap Done.

Remove security keys

Your Apple Account takes up to six security keys. If you hit the limit and need to pair additional keys, remove one or more of your paired keys first, and replace removed keys whenever you like.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Security Keys.
4. To remove all keys, tap Remove All Keys, then tap Remove.

   To remove individual keys, tap the ones you want to remove, then tap Remove Key.

Note: If you remove all security keys from your Apple Account, the account reverts to using six-digit verification codes for two-factor authentication.

See also

• Use two-factor authentication for your Apple Account on iPad
• Keep your Apple Account secure on iPad