If you keep seeing a red badge in the Settings app saying that you need to update your Apple ID settings, you might have recently updated your device’s iOS or iPadOS or changed your Apple ID password. And sometimes, it just seems to appear out of nowhere–and keep reappearing no matter what we do.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Lots of users are plagued by notifications telling them to Update Apple ID settings on their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other devices. They keep popping up regardless of how often you enter the new password.
We explain what you need to do below and have our top tips to get that red badge gone for good–or at least until the next update or the next time you need to update your Apple ID’s password.
Quick tips 
Follow these quick tips when you see the message to Update your Apple ID Settings
- Reset your Face ID or Touch ID settings and add back in your Face ID or fingerprint
- Sign out and back into iCloud via the Settings app
- Update your Apple ID’s password for all Apple services like App Store, iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Music, and so forth
- Check Apple’s system status page to ensure there are no current server-side issues at Apple
- Restart or force restart your device
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- How to fix your disabled Apple ID today!
Recently updated your iOS or iPadOS?
Quite a few readers tell us that they keep seeing this message after updating their device(s.)
When open Settings, they see that red badge, the message to update Apple ID Settings, and sometimes see an Apple ID Suggestions prompt that “some account services will not be available until you sign in again.”
After pressing the continue button, they enter their Apple ID password and their iDevice’s passcode. And everything appears to be good to go.
But soon enough that red badge in Settings reappears, as if they did nothing!
Reset Face ID or Touch ID settings and imprints
If you keep seeing the message and badge to “Update Apple ID Settings,” trying resetting Face ID or Touch ID.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode
- Either Reset Face ID or remove your fingerprints
- You can also add a new fingerprint or set up an alternative appearance
After adding in a new Face ID or fingerprint or resetting your Face ID/Touch ID, try signing in again at the Update Apple ID Settings prompt. See if the problem resolves.
The good news is that most people find that if they sign out of iCloud and sign back in the problem is indeed gone–and does not return!
- Go to Settings > Apple ID
- Scroll down to Sign Out
Sign out of your Apple ID, and iCloud, then restart your device and try syncing again. - Enter your Apple ID password
- Choose Turn Off (you must sign the device out of Find My)
- Tap Sign Out
- Although not necessary, we recommend you Keep a Copy Of all your data just to be extra safe. However, adding this step will add time onto the process
- Tap Sign Out again to confirm
- Sign back in with your Apple ID
- Although not necessary, we recommend you Merge your iCloud data–this step also adds time
- Although not necessary, we recommend you Merge your iCloud data–this step also adds time
Changed your Apple ID’s password?
So you changed your Apple ID password, that’s a pretty good thing to do. But now you need to update your Apple ID settings on all your other devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC. Don’t worry, it’s usually pretty simple.
You might get notifications to Update Apple ID settings on some of your different devices. Follow that notification to re-enter your new Apple ID password. And that’s it.
What do I need to do after changing my Apple ID password?

After changing your Apple ID password there are likely to be a heavy handful of devices and services that still try to sign in with the old password. This normally means you get bombarded with prompts to re-enter your password.
If your settings aren’t updated you might miss messages, emails, or app updates because your device couldn’t sign in properly.
To fix it — or to avoid the repeated prompts to re-enter your password — you need to update the saved Apple ID password on each of your devices for each service and app linked to your Apple ID account.
What services and apps use my Apple ID?
Your Apple ID account is used with every single Apple service. There’s a lot of them! The most popular apps and services you’re likely to use with your Apple ID include:
- App Store, Books Store, and iTunes Store
- Apple Music and Apple News+
- Apple Store services, such as workshops or Genius Bar appointments
- FaceTime and iMessage
- iCloud, including iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Backups.
And those are just the Apple apps and services. There are innumerable third-party apps, such as Day One, that also sync your data with an Apple ID account.
How do I update Apple ID settings on my device?
You may need to manually re-enter your Apple ID password again on each of your devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, and Apple TV. But you’ll be prompted to do so as you use them.
If you weren’t prompted to re-enter your password and don’t believe it automatically updated on your device, you can follow the instructions below to force a password prompt to appear.
How do I update Apple ID settings on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch?
- Go to the App Store and download any free app.
- If that doesn’t work, go to Settings > [Your Name].
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Sign Out.
- Choose to Keep all of the data on your device.
- Return to Settings and sign in with your new Apple ID password.
- Merge the data on your device with your iCloud data.
How do I update Apple ID settings on a Mac?
- Go to the Mac App Store and download any free app.
- Open iTunes and download any of your purchased content or stream Apple Music.
- If that doesn’t work, go to System Preferences > iCloud.
- Click Sign Out and choose to Keep a Copy of all the data on your Mac.
- Return to System Preferences > iCloud and sign in with your new Apple ID password.
- Merge the data on your Mac with your iCloud data.
How do I update Apple ID settings on a PC?
- Open iTunes and download any of your purchased content.
- If you have iCloud for Windows, open it and click Sign Out.
- Choose to Keep a Copy of all the data on your PC.
- Return to iCloud for Windows and sign in with your new Apple ID password.
Update Apple ID Settings Message after upgrading to macOS Catalina
Are you constantly seeing the message ‘Update Apple ID Settings” after upgrading your Mac to macOS Catalina? You are not alone. Many users are reporting this issue.
Unfortunately, for some users, the iCloud Keychain copy on their Mac gets corrupted following the update. If you have already tried signing out of your iCloud account and sign back in with no success, follow the steps below to take care of this issue.
- Click on > System Preferences > Apple ID
- Next, choose iCloud from the left
- Deactivate iCloud Keychain and select ‘Keep on this Mac’ from the options.
- With iCloud keychain deactivated, Open the Finder app on your Mac
- Click on Go > Go to Folder and type in ~/Library/Keychains
- Delete the folder that has the long name with letters and numbers.
- Now go back and re-activate your iCloud Keychain using > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud
- Restart your Mac and the issue should be resolved.
Why does my iPhone keep saying I need to Update Apple ID Settings?
Many users experience problems on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch after changing their Apple ID password. A red notification alert appears over the Settings app prompting them to Update Apple ID Settings. But the prompt never goes away!
If this has happened to you, we’ve got the steps to fix it just below.
1. Update your Apple ID Settings

Just in case you haven’t already tried it, we wanted to explain how you would normally update Apple ID Settings on your iPhone.
Open the Settings app and you should see a new option to update your Apple ID settings near the top with a red notification alert. Tap this and enter your new Apple ID password on the next page.
This should cause the notification bubble to go away and stop your iPhone from bombarding you with prompts to Update Apple ID Settings. If it doesn’t, continue with the steps below.
2. Force close Settings and restart your device

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or double-click the Home button to view the App Switcher. Scroll through your open apps to find Settings, then push it off the top of the screen to force close it.
Now hold the Side button and either Volume button on your iPhone. When prompted, slide to power off. If this doesn’t work, follow the steps on Apple’s website to force restart your device.
Wait at least 30 seconds before powering your iPhone on again.
3. Update iOS on your iPhone
Check for new updates to iOS on your iPhone, and be sure to download and install any that you find. Connect to Wi-Fi then go to Settings > General > Software Update to look for new updates.
Alternatively, connect your iPhone to a computer running the latest version of iTunes and update iOS through iTunes.
4. Double-check the Apple ID email address

It’s entirely possible, and more common than you’d expect, that there’s a typo in the Apple ID email address on your device. When this happens, it makes sense that you can’t update the settings because the details are incorrect.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap your name at the top of the screen. Your Apple ID is shown beneath your name at the top of the page, check it closely. Ensure it matches the email address you use on all your devices.
5. Check Apple’s System Services

Apple might be experiencing service issues with Apple ID or any of its related services. Visit the Apple System Status website to find out the current status of Apple’s services.
Everything should have a green circle next to it, any services that don’t are experiencing issues. When this happens, you have to wait for Apple to resolve it. Keep trying to update your Apple ID settings or check Apple’s website to find out when everything is working again.
6. Sign out of your Apple ID account, then sign in again

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone.
Choose to keep a copy of all your data on your iPhone by turning on the buttons for Calendars, Contacts, Keychain, Reminders, and Safari. Then tap Sign Out in the top right.
Wait for your iPhone to fully sign out of your Apple ID, return to the Settings app and then tap the button at the top to sign in again. Ensure you use the correct email address and your new Apple ID password.
When prompted, choose to Merge your existing data with what’s on iCloud.
7. Erase all content and settings on your iPhone

The final step is to reset your iPhone back to factory settings, then recover data from a backup. This can be a time-consuming process, so don’t start it unless you have time to wait for your iPhone to recover from a backup.
Also, you must make a new backup to iTunes or iCloud first. Otherwise, you will lose data, like photos or messages, from your iPhone.
After making a backup, go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password and device passcode when prompted.
After your device restarts, follow the setup prompts and choose to recover data from a backup.
About your Apple ID account
If you have any lingering questions about your Apple ID account, this is where the answers are. Check out the brief sections below to find out about the data in your Apple ID account, how to see what devices are signed in, and more.
What information is stored on my Apple ID?
Despite the extra legwork you’ve got to pull now, it’s a good thing you changed your Apple ID password. A very good thing. This is because your Apple ID account can store a lot of private data about you that you want to keep secure.
It’s common for an Apple ID account to store a user’s name, date of birth, email address, delivery address, phone number, and payment information.
Not only that, but if your Apple ID password is compromised someone could gain access to the Apple services linked to your account. This includes iCloud, which holds photos and documents. It could also be used to locate your other devices!
How can I remove devices from using my Apple ID?

Your Apple ID account holds some pretty important data, you probably want to know all the places you’re signed in. Fortunately, it’s easy to check that and just as easy to sign out from the devices you don’t recognize.
If a device is lost or stolen, use Find My iPhone to lock and locate the device.
See what devices use your Apple ID from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name].
- Scroll down to see devices using your Apple ID.
- Tap each device to see more details, including associated payment information.
- Tap Remove from account to sign out of your Apple ID on that device.
See what devices use your Apple ID from a Mac:
- Go to System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details.
- Click the Devices tab to see devices using your Apple ID.
- Select each device to see more details, including associated payment information.
- Click Remove from Account to sign out of your Apple ID on that device.
See what devices use your Apple ID from a PC:
- Go to the Apple ID website and sign in to your account.
- Scroll down to the Devices section to see devices using your Apple ID.
- Click each device to see more details, including associated payment information.
- Click Remove from account to sign out of your Apple ID on that device.
Can I change my Apple ID’s password without losing everything?
If you’re concerned about the security of your Apple ID account you should absolutely change your Apple ID password. You can easily do this without losing any data on your account.
Some reasons to reset your Apple ID password include if you receive notifications about account activity or purchases you don’t recognize or if an unknown device is signed in to your account.
Make sure you change your password instead of creating a new account.
Change your Apple ID password from an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.
- Tap Change Password.
- Enter your existing password followed by the new one and tap Change.
Change your Apple ID password from a Mac or PC:
- Sign in to the Apple ID website.
- Under the Security section, click Change password…
- Enter your existing password followed by the new one and hit Enter.

Let us know in the comments if you’re still struggling to update your Apple ID settings. We’ll do our best to get you the help you need!
Reader tips 
- Joe solved his Apple ID Settings issue by updating to a new Apple ID password on all his devices
John says
This is a lot of hoops-and-twirls to get rid of a little red badge (which I, too find extraordinarily annoying). I have the same issue: about once-per-week where I get the red badge asking me to re-enter my AppleID password.
All of these solutions offer temporary relief, which is really no relief at all.
I do not use two-factor authentication on my AppleID. My hypothesis is that this message is all about getting the user to enable two-factor authentication and that the message/badge would go away permanently if two-factor authentication is enabled.
Peter Parslow says
Hi,
in my case, none of these have made it go away.
I got this ‘stuck’ “Update Apple ID Settings” after transferring to a new (to me) iPhone.
When I select “Continue” and enter my Apple ID login, I need to enter my iPhone Passcode (OK) and then enter the passcode of the “other iPhone” – but it doesn’t accept the passcode of the iPhone I’ve just migrated from.
Issue remains after wiping the old one, removing it from my iPhone account, even removing the backups of that old phone from iCloud. Still insists on me entering that old passcode, and then won’t believe it when I do.
Any thoughts welcome? In the meantime, I’ll just ignore the message – everything else is working fine.
Kathy Heuchling says
I had been trying to pair Air Tags and the iPhone kept wanting the password to a previous Apple ID. After following the steps in your article, I was finally able to set up the tags. Thank you so very much.
Stephen D says
I rest my apple id password on my Iphone and when I tried to sign into my Imac it asked for a verification code which was on my phone. I entered that no problem but it said “unknown error has occurred”. I then tried to deactivate the keychain on Icloud but it was already deactivated. I then went to the Keychain folder and deleted the folder with the long name of numbers and letters and then tried to activate the Keychain in the Icloud apple id settings. It asked for my old password and new password and verification and after carefully entering this information was prompted with another message saying an error has occurred. I am on Catalina, is it possible to upgrade to a different OS system to fix this problem? Thanks in advance for any help.
Hinglaj Dan Charan says
It is ok. Wish to start this apple ipot. Help is required .
Volt says
Before I did any of the steps, I turned off my iphone 12 Pro. Then back on. Issue was resolved.
Roger Laffoley says
Hi,
My buddy is a 73 year old retiree and he was given an iPhone Xs from his daughter back in February. She erased her data etc and he transferred his details from his older iPhone. Unfortunately many of the apps are not working as his Apple id is continually being requested. The id he has no problems with but he cannot remember the password. He and his daughter have tried to rectify this a few times now and even went to the Local Apple Shop here in St Helier Jersey. Each time thet were told that Apple would get in touch either by phone or text, using the telephone details provided, on a certain date at a certain time. This never happened and the local shop were pretty useless apparently. I gave it a go twice and I was given dates and times twice but my buddy did not receive a call nor a text. The next date given is the 12th May. This is a ridiculous situation and to be told it is an automated system is quite frankly nuts especially as it does not appear to work. My buddy’s daughter always upgrades to the latest apple iphone but is not impressed this time round I can tell you. Why do you not have a hotline to sort this sort of problem out as I note it is regularly complained about on social media etc. Yours response would be appreciated. Thanks
Greta Soderlund says
Thanks a lot for all your well written and extremely informative articles, making my Mac-life more livable!
George says
The more i try to get full access of my iphone back the worse it gets. I have never in my life seen such unbelievable B.S. I have 2 red badges Confirm Iphone Passcode and that i have entered it correctly way, way too many time to count and Update apple ID settings. Please HELP
Anna. Lawson says
I am soo dumb on this iPad and also my iPhone I need someone really telling me by phone preferably how to. Fix my problem…. I have set passwords and wrote them down so I can remember them but my devices refuse to accept my known passwords. I am so frustrated please I need you…..I only have WiFi on my phone and no computer Hot Spot only. Is having my IPad and iPhone interfering with each other,also I need to just have 1 FB acc but I have three, please help me I want to delete but I am afraid I will lose important data and photos if I do something wrong,my IPad is only 2 yrs old but my little iPhone is about 4 yrs old. Do I need to get a new iPhone I don’t like big ones I love my little phone Apple I think it is all I need,please answer meThank you Anna
Debra Zaino says
THANK YOU! The red badge was driving me crazy. It would ask for my iPad passcode and then my iPhone passcode. I recently replaced my iPhone with an iPhone 11. It kept prompting me for the iPhone passcode, not the iPhone 11 passcode so I couldn’t authenticate. Ugh!
Anita says
This is ridiculous ! Androids do not deal with this nonsense .. so done with Apple!
Tina says
Hi all,
I had this with update Apple ID settings on loop for months on my MacBook and iPhone. Also, could not enable keychain on either device.Multiple contacts with Apple support.
What did not work: Change Apple ID password, Sign out of iCloud and back in again, Reboot MacBook, Library/keychain- remove and start new keychain, lots of other things!
What DID work: Eventually I spoke with an Apple tech advisor who sorted the problem. He noted two things. Firstly there was a new update Catalina.10.15.5 (that day) which I updated and I also updated my iPhone- iOS 13.5. Secondly, he noticed that a home computer( iMAC) was linked to my Apple ID- this is used by other family members so he got me to remove it from my Apple ID list.
Hey presto! When I signed in after the updates and removal of iMAC from Apple ID I got the update Apple ID settings. This time I was asked to put in the code I would use to log into the home iMAC- and I have now solved the problem!
I hope this helps someone.
Tina
Pesach Sherbow says
I purchased Iphone 11 and did a side by side change over from a 6s. All good BUT the apple ID. It just stalls . I have gone down your list and tried all and still it will not work. I can access Cloud from my computer OK I try on my 6s and it does the same thing now. HELP!
Van says
Why my IPad keep asking me to update Apple ID and would not recognizes my pw. I’m really struggling to update your Apple ID settings on the iPad… please help!
Thanks,
Van
Anthony says
I want more storage on my iPhone and any free software for more storage software
SW says
Solved. Had two other devices using the same Apple ID. Updated the new password on all devices & notification badge is gonzo!
Jeremy says
I got a iPhone 11 I put my Apple ID in and it downloaded some of it but won’t finish the rest just says updating Apple ID settings. And when it don’t work it says to update Apple ID setting and tells me some account services will not be available until you sign in again. Anyone know how to fix this?
Umar Sumaila says
I get stuck when trying to update Apple ID settings. I’ve tried everything I know but it’s still not working. Kindly help me if you can
Alison says
Hi
I have an iPhone 7 running iOS 13.3 and an iPad Air running iOS 12.4.4
My problem is that after using my husband’s Apple ID for years I decided to have my own Apple ID.
So I set up my new Apple ID and password on both iPhone and iPad all was ok when first set up, I could see both items listed at the bottom of the Apple ID settings page on both devices but now on the iPad, I keep getting asked for the Apple ID password which when entered does not work, iPad says wrong Apple ID or password!
The iPad will not even let me sign out, I can’t use FaceTime or iMessage.
I really do not want to change my password yet again (i am on my third password by the way)
When connected to the Apple ID web page the Apple ID and password works fine and i can see both devices ok. I hope you can help me.
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Alison,
Have your husband check his Apple ID account and make sure he’s removed the iPad from his list of devices–it’s possible that the iPad is still registering to his Apple ID instead of yours.
Alison says
Hi Elizabeth,
I have checked that, and none of my devices show in his list.
Thanks for the suggestion.
ashlyn says
I have an 8 Plus and I recently updated my Apple ID password and man do I regret that.
I have had that red bubble in my Settings for a week now. I have tried to enter my new password and then it just brings me to a white page that says “updating Apple ID settings…” with a loading symbol. It just loads and loads and loads and ultimately nothing happens. I even tried to do it before I went to bed so I didn’t mess with it and nothing changed. I have tried signing out and restarting and that hasn’t worked.
Chris says
I wish I never upgraded my devices since now they make 2 factors mandatory.
I hope in the next update they get rid of this crap.
Not everyone always has multiple devices on them or network capabilities, so being locked out of your own device due to being unable to disable 2 factors because I still constantly getting the “UPDATE APPLE ID SETTINGS” popup.
jimmy says
I a brand new iphone 11 (updating from a 7)
And I keep getting the Update apple ID settings, I try my password but it just goes back to the same screen, I have tried everything you said above and still no luck, even deleted it all and did a fresh reboot from the old phone.
The only way I was able to get the old settings was to back up then update from a computer it would freeze when trying to go to the cloud, as well as phone to phone it wouldnt work either.
The main issue is the keychain. I cant get it to turn on on the new iphone either.
And when I sign out of apple id it takes for ever to sign in and just freezes, so i stop the program then open it and it has me signed in, but still wants me to update my apple ID settings.
Ann Hamon says
my iPad will not recognize my aol account though I can get into it from my computer and my husband’s computer. I have tried signing off iCloud and everything you suggested.
Elizabeth Jones says
Hi Ann,
Did you delete (remove) that AOL account and try adding it back in using Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account > Aol?
Removing and adding back in your account usually works. It’s good practice to restart your iPad after deleting the account and then add it back in after that restart.
Make sure you close your Mail app before you delete the account via these instructions:
Close an app
1. On an iPhone or an iPad with no home button from the Home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen
2. On an iDevice with a home button, double-click the Home button and swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close
3. Swipe right or left to locate the app you want to close
4. Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
Sacthony says
Thanks. This helped me with my new iPhone 11 always telling me to update my Apple ID Settings–was driving me nuts!
Scr888 version 3.0 says
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I don’t understand why I am unable to subscribe to it.
Is there anybody else getting identical RSS problems?
Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond?