iPhone Keeps Asking for iCloud / Apple Account Password

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Sign in from Settings, not the pop-up

   Copy steps
   1. Settings > your name; if there's an alert, tap it and enter your password
   2. Check for red badges in Settings and follow them
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Finish pending downloads

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   1. App Store > your profile: let pending downloads and updates complete
   2. Settings > Apps > App Store: turn off Automatic Downloads to test
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Update every service after a password change

   1. Sign in again in FaceTime, Messages, App Store and Mail account settings
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Use app-specific passwords for third-party apps

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   1. account.apple.com > Sign-In and Security > App-Specific Passwords
   2. Use that in Outlook, Thunderbird or other mail and calendar apps
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Sign out and back in

   Copy steps
   1. Settings > your name > Sign Out (keep a copy of your data when asked)
   2. Restart, then sign in again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

A pop-up asking for your Apple Account password or 'Confirm iPhone passcode to continue using iCloud' returns again and again, even after you enter it correctly.

Why it happens

• Password changed recently and some services still use the old one
• Pending app or Automatic Downloads
• Family Sharing 'Ask to Buy' requests
• Third-party apps using your main password instead of an app-specific password
• iCloud sign-in outage

This guide also covers

• iphone keeps asking for apple id password
• icloud keeps asking for password
• confirm iphone passcode to continue using icloud
• apple account password pop up

Other iCloud errors

• iCloud Photos Not Syncing
• iCloud Backup Failed: 'Last Backup Could Not Be Completed'
• iCloud Storage Full (Even After Deleting Photos)
• iCloud Drive Stuck on 'Waiting to Upload' (Mac)
• iCloud for Windows Not Syncing
• iCloud Mail Not Working or Not Receiving Emails
• iCloud 'Verification Failed: Error Connecting to Apple Account Server'
• 'Unable to Load Photo' iCloud Error on iPhone