The Constant Problem: Older parents and relatives who do not understand the value of their Apple ID and password.
The amount they care about their Apple ID and password cannot be measured because no care on their part exists.
It never ends.
They drop their iPhone. It won’t even turn on. They get a new iPhone. They don’t know their Apple ID and/or password. The “lose” everything (even though it’s all likely sitting in iCloud waiting to be restored).
Here’s how to set up their Apple ID so a broken or lost phone never turns into a lost account.
Set Up Account Recovery Contacts (Most Important)
Apple allows you to designate yourself (or another trusted family member) as a Recovery Contact. If they forget their password or get locked out, Apple sends a short recovery code directly to your device so you can reset their password instantly—no security questions or email verification required.
- On your relative’s iPhone, open Settings → tap their Name (Apple ID) at the top.
- Tap Sign-In & Security → Account Recovery.
- Tap Add Recovery Contact and select yourself from their contacts.
- Accept the invitation on your own iPhone.
Print a Physical “Apple ID Passkey Card”
Older relatives often trust paper far more than digital password managers. Create a dedicated physical sheet and store it somewhere fixed (like with their tax documents, passport, or taped inside a kitchen cabinet door).
Include the following specific details on paper:
• Apple ID Email / Phone Number
• Apple ID Password
• Device Passcode (the 4 or 6-digit passcode used to unlock the phone screen)
• Associated Email Password (if their Apple ID uses a Gmail/Yahoo/ISP email, write down that email password too, as recovery links often go there)
Enable Legacy Contact
If you also want to protect their photos and data for the long term, add yourself as a Legacy Contact. This gives you access to their iCloud data if something ever happens to them, without needing to fight Apple with death certificates or court orders.
• Settings → Name (Apple ID) → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact.
Automate iCloud Backups & Optimize Storage
Relatives often lose data because iCloud backup runs out of space or is turned off.
• Check iCloud Storage: Ensure they have enough iCloud storage (the 50 GB plan for $0.99/month is usually enough to cover photos, contacts, and phone backups). Bonus: Then you get to deal with them about entering their credit card info in order to pay Apple $11.88 a year.
• Verify Automatic Backups: Go to Settings → Name (Apple ID) → iCloud → iCloud Backup and ensure Back Up This iPhone is toggled ON.
• Remind Them: Remind them to connect to Wi-Fi and plug the phone into a charger overnight, which is when automatic iCloud backups occur.
Quick Reference Summary
| Action | What It Prevents | Setup Location on iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Contact | Locks out due to forgotten password | Settings → Apple ID → Sign-In & Security → Account Recovery |
| iCloud Backup | Missing photos, contacts, and apps | Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Backup |
| Physical Passcode Card | Forgetting screen lock or email password | Kept in a safe, physical location at home |
| Legacy Contact | Loss of family memory archive long-term | Settings → Apple ID → Sign-In & Security → Legacy Contact |
MacDailyNews Take: If only we had a nickel for each time our parents or in-laws “forgot” (they never really knew) their Apple ID and/or password!
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This seems strange for a generation that grew up memorizing phone numbers, bank accounts, addresses, etc. Then again the crux of the problem is that logins and passwords often get changed whether you forgot it or you’re forced to. You have to use a password manager or write things down or both. I use Apple Passwords and it’s much more of a headache than 1Password ever was. You have to double and triple check that the correct login info was saved, that you’re not using a duplicate login with slightly different credentials, that you’re actually being shown the login for the correct site and that you even have the option to fill passwords at all otherwise you need to manually hunt for the correct info and cut and paste it in.