SECURE YOUR APPLE ACCOUNT

Secure your Apple Account.

Work through these settings one at a time. After making a change, verify that the protection is actually active.

Your Apple Account may protect more than you realize.

It can connect your devices to services such as iCloud, the App Store, Messages, FaceTime and other Apple services. Securing it can therefore protect much more than one login.

Start with the controls that would cause the greatest harm if someone else gained access.

APPLE ACCOUNT SECURITY

Work through these settings one at a time.

Open a section to see the practical steps. After making a change, use the verification point to confirm that the protection is actually active.

Turn on two-factor authentication

Add another layer of protection so a stolen Apple Account password is less likely to be enough to access your account.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap your name at the top.
Open Sign-In & Security.
Find Two-Factor Authentication.
Follow the instructions shown by Apple to complete the setup if it is not already enabled.
Make sure you have access to at least one trusted phone number.
Complete the verification process.
Return to Sign-In & Security and confirm that two-factor authentication is active.

VERIFY: Confirm that two-factor authentication is shown as active for your Apple Account.

Review your trusted devices

Check the iPhones, iPads, Macs and other Apple devices connected to your account.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings on your Apple device.
Tap your name.
Scroll through the list of devices connected to your Apple Account.
Select each device you recognize and review the information shown.
If you see a device you no longer use, consider removing it from your account.
If you see a device you do not recognize, treat it as a possible security issue.
Select the unfamiliar device and review the available Remove from Account option.
If the device may have been involved in unauthorized access, move to the account-recovery process rather than simply ignoring it.

VERIFY: Review the device list again and confirm that the devices connected to your Apple Account are ones you recognize and control.

Review your trusted phone numbers

Trusted phone numbers can receive verification codes used to confirm your identity.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Tap your name.
Open Sign-In & Security.
Review the available trusted phone numbers.
Confirm that the numbers belong to you and are still accessible.
Remove outdated numbers where appropriate.
Add another trusted number only when you understand why it is needed and you control it.

VERIFY: Confirm that every trusted phone number listed for your Apple Account belongs to you and can receive verification codes.

Set up an account recovery contact

A recovery contact can help you regain access if you forget your password or become locked out of your Apple Account.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Tap your name.
Open Sign-In & Security.
Select Recovery Contacts.
Choose Add Recovery Contact.
Select someone you know and genuinely trust.
Follow the instructions to send and complete the invitation.
Make sure the person understands that they should only provide a recovery code directly to you if you need help recovering your account.

VERIFY: Return to Recovery Contacts and confirm that the person you selected has been successfully added.

Use a strong, unique password

Your Apple Account password should not be reused on another important account.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Tap your name.
Open Sign-In & Security.
Select Change Password.
Create a strong password that you do not use anywhere else.
Store the password securely, preferably in a reputable password manager.
Never give your Apple Account password to someone claiming to be Apple Support.

VERIFY: Confirm that the password has been changed successfully if you changed it, and sign in normally using the new password.

Protect your Apple devices with a passcode

Your Apple Account is closely connected to the devices you use to access it, so the device itself must also be protected.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Open Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, depending on your device.
Make sure a strong device passcode is enabled.
Use Face ID or Touch ID where appropriate.
Do not share your device passcode with someone simply because they claim they need to help you.
Keep your device's operating system updated with legitimate Apple security updates.

VERIFY: Lock and unlock the device to confirm that your chosen passcode or biometric protection is active.

Review your account security information

Keep your Apple Account contact and security information current so you can respond to important security events.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Tap your name.
Open Sign-In & Security.
Review your email addresses and account contact information.
Check that the information is current and under your control.
Update outdated information where appropriate.
Do not change important security information because someone contacting you tells you to.

VERIFY: Confirm that the important account and security information belongs to you and is still accessible.

Review Sign in with Apple

Check the apps and websites where you have used your Apple Account to sign in.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings.
Tap your name.
Look for Sign in with Apple or the available account connection settings.
Review the apps and websites connected to your Apple Account.
Identify services you no longer use or do not recognize.
Review the information you shared with each service.
Stop using or remove access to connections you no longer need where Apple provides that option.
Be cautious before removing a connection if it is still used to access an important account.

VERIFY: Confirm that the Sign in with Apple connections remaining are services you recognize and intentionally use.

Review account notifications and security alerts

Apple can notify you when important account changes or sign-ins occur.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Pay attention to unexpected Apple Account sign-in notifications.
Review notifications about password changes or other important account changes.
If a sign-in notification is yours, verify the request before continuing.
If you receive an unexpected sign-in request, do not approve it.
Never give an unexpected caller or message the verification code shown on your device.
If you notice suspicious activity, stop the normal security check and move to account recovery.

VERIFY: Make sure you recognize the important recent Apple Account security notifications and investigate anything unexpected.

Review devices after losing or replacing one

Old or missing devices can remain connected to an Apple Account if they are not properly removed.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Open Settings and tap your name.
Review the list of devices connected to your Apple Account.
Identify devices you no longer own, use or control.
Select an old or missing device.
Review the available Remove from Account option.
If a device was stolen or lost, use Find My and the appropriate device-security options rather than simply assuming the account is safe.
Change your Apple Account password if you believe the missing device may have exposed your account.

VERIFY: Confirm that devices you no longer own or control are no longer unnecessarily connected to your Apple Account.

Review your Apple Account after suspicious activity

If you notice an unfamiliar device, changed security information or another warning sign, stop normal activity and investigate first.

Click to see protection steps

Step-by-step

Do not share passwords, verification codes, device passcodes or other security information while investigating.
Review your trusted devices.
Review your trusted phone numbers.
Check your Sign-In & Security settings.
Review recent account notifications and unexpected sign-ins.
Change your password if you believe it may have been exposed.
Remove unfamiliar devices where appropriate.
If you cannot regain control of the account, use Apple's official account recovery process.

VERIFY: Do not return to normal account activity until the suspicious access or security issue has been properly investigated and addressed.

Something does not look right?

If you find an unfamiliar login, changed recovery information, unexpected security alerts or another sign that someone may have accessed your account, stop the normal security check and move to the recovery process.

I think my account is compromised →

Still need help?

If you have worked through the relevant settings and something still looks wrong, do not give your security secrets to someone promising to fix the account. Use the service's official support and recovery resources for service-specific account problems.

For broader cybersecurity problems, you can also use the professional assistance pathway on this platform.

Need Professional Help? →

Apple Account security is not a one-time task.

Review important account settings periodically, especially after a password change, device change, suspicious message or unexpected login alert.

VERIFY BEFORE YOU TRUST.

← Back to Secure Your Accounts