How to Add a Recovery Contact to Your Apple ID

Last Updated: December 25, 2021

Forgetting your Apple ID email and password can feel frustrating, but recovering your account is so much easier with iOS 15 and macOS Monterey. This wikiHow article will teach you how to set up a recovery account on either your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Other than needing two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID account, you and the other person will also need iOS 15 or macOS Monterey, use a passcode on their phone or tablet, and be over the age of 13.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Adding a Recovery Contact on iOS 15

1
Go to Settings. You can tap the gear icon on your Home screen to open Settings.
2
Tap your name. It's at the top of the menu.

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3
Tap Password & Security. It's usually the second listing in the menu.
4
Tap Account Recovery. You'll then see the account recovery screen.
5
Tap Add Recovery Contact. If prompted, verify with Touch or Face ID. You should see a list of contacts available to be your recovery contact.
6
Tap a contact. You'll send a request for that person to be your recovery contact (family members will be automatically listed as a recovery contact while other contacts must first accept the request).
- After you set up the recovery contact, you can get their help in the event that you ever get locked out of your phone.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Using Account Recovery With macOS Monterey or Later

1
Open System Preferences. You can open System Preferences by clicking the Apple logo, then System Preferences.
- Other than needing two-factor authentication set up on your Apple ID account, you'll also need macOS Monterey, and over the age of 13.
2
Click Apple ID. You'll see to the right of your profile picture when you open System Preferences.
3
Click Password & Security. It's in the panel on the left side of the window next to an icon of a padlock.
4
Click Manage next to "Account Recovery." You'll see it near the center of the window.
5
Click +. It's on the left side of the window.
- Verify with Touch or Face ID if prompted.
6
Enter a contact. You'll send a request to that contact asking to add them as a recovery contact, which they need to accept (family members will be automatically listed as a recovery contact while other contacts must first accept the request).^{[1]
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- After adding a recovery contact, they can help you get back into your account on your computer.
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