Getting ‘Reset Password’ Notifications Without Your Request? Fix
You may be receiving Reset Password notifications on your device out of the blue. You may not know why you are getting these messages if you did not try to reset your Apple ID password. If you are using the same Apple ID on multiple devices, all of them may get this message, but a slightly different version of it. For example, your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch will say, “Use this iPhone to reset your Apple ID password” with an Allow or Don’t Allow below it, while your Mac will say, “A password reset request was sent from a device at the location shown below” with a Show button under it.

If you click on the notification on your Mac, you will be taken to System Preferences to reset your password. And if you click Allow on your iPhone or iPad, you will be taken to Settings to enter your iPhone password so that you can reset your password.

You may be very worried, especially if you keep receiving this and you did not initiate anything. Is someone trying to steal your Apple ID? Or is your device hacked or infected with a virus or malware? Why are these notifications coming? Is this Apple’s doing, or some criminal’s? In this article, I explain why you may be seeing this notification, if you should worry or not, and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your Apple ID.
How to initiate a forgotten password reset
First of all, I should mention that these notifications are actual Apple notifications. They are not fake popups. This is a part of the legitimate password reset process. You are seeing this popup because someone is trying to reset your Apple ID password. You can reset your Apple ID password if you have forgotten it. There are a few ways to do this, for example:
- You can use your Apple device. On your iPhone, you can do so by going to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Change Password. On your Mac, you can go to System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security to reset your Apple ID password.
- You can use the Apple Support app on a borrowed device if you do not have an Apple device.
- You can also use the web. If you go to the Recover your Apple ID page, you can reset your Apple ID passcode.
This is not a phishing attempt. However, someone may have initiated a password reset action for your account without your knowledge.
Can others reset your Apple ID password?
Others cannot reset your password, but they can submit a request. When they request to reset your Apple ID password, you will get this notification on all of your Apple devices signed into iCloud using that Apple ID. This is why you are probably getting this notification. So can anyone try to reset your password? The answer is yes, as long as they know your full Apple ID email and the phone number associated with your account. So, how can they do this?
- Anyone can go to the Recover your Apple ID page.
- This screen first asks for an Apple ID email. If someone knows your Apple ID email (the email address you use with your Apple ID), they can move to the next screen.
- The next screen will ask for the phone number associated with the Apple ID email. All Apple ID holders have a phone number on file. Apple uses this number to verify your identity. If someone enters the full phone number, Apple will send you these notifications indicating the password reset was received, and you can continue resetting the password on your Apple device.
Should you worry if you keep receiving these notifications?
You don’t need to worry too much because there is no risk of someone actually resetting your password without one of your Apple devices. But there are things you should do as well:
- Do not share your Apple ID email and phone number with people you do not trust. Furthermore, ensure that your phone number is up to date. If needed, change your Apple ID email.
- For your Apple ID, always use a strong password. You can change your Apple ID password.
- If you think that your account has been compromised, you should check this Apple documentation on what you should do.
You can always send your concerns or questions to [email protected].
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