how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it?

[beerseagulls]

how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it?

I've had two battery changes for two iPhones at two different Apple Store recently. They asked me to enter my iCloud password to unlock it before the battery change... not sure why that's even necessary, but I think they always ask for it anyway.

I took my spare phone out to look up my iCloud password. The Genus said something like "oh, how can you not remember it? anybody who uses iPhones ALWAYS know it by heart!" I thought "oh great, so I'm the only person in the world who doesn't remember it?"

Anyway, I got it from my other phone and entered it on the iPhone that was about to get a battery replacement. I just kept wondering if how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it? Maybe I'm finally an old geezer who needs memory booster pills... or perhaps have the password tattooed to somewhere on my body, just in case?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I do, and you should. In a sense it's the same as recording the master password for your Dashlane somewhere, ie, don't do that

 

[eyoungren]

I changed mine some time ago to use special characters. It's gibberish and I have a rough idea of what goes where, but I usually flub the positioning of the characters enough that I have to look it back up.

 

[MacCheetah3]

They asked me to enter my iCloud password to unlock it before the battery change... not sure why that's even necessary, but I think they always ask for it anyway.

To disable Find My.

Prepare your iPhone or iPad for service - Apple Support

Before you bring your device or send it to Apple for service, follow these steps to help protect your personal information and save time on your repair.

support.apple.com

how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it?

It typically requires at least a few moments for me to recall, as I don’t need to often. However, yes, I do.

I use my password manager at least every few days, yet on occasion, I need to think the master password through carefully.

I’ve forgotten 3-digit locker combinations plenty of times. So, I won’t belittle anyone for not easily recalling 16+ characters. Although, ultimately, remembering some passwords is important or even essential nowadays.

 

[Madhatter32]

For most people, if you can remember your password, it's not secure.

 

[CharlesShaw]

For most people, if you can remember your password, it's not secure.

2FA makes even weak passwords safer, though. I create complex, long, memorable (for me) passwords based on sequences of events or people in my life, but without access to my trusted devices or phone number, I'd be unable to log into my account.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it?

I've had two battery changes for two iPhones at two different Apple Store recently. They asked me to enter my iCloud password to unlock it before the battery change... not sure why that's even necessary, but I think they always ask for it anyway.

I took my spare phone out to look up my iCloud password. The Genus said something like "oh, how can you not remember it? anybody who uses iPhones ALWAYS know it by heart!" I thought "oh great, so I'm the only person in the world who doesn't remember it?"

Anyway, I got it from my other phone and entered it on the iPhone that was about to get a battery replacement. I just kept wondering if how many people actually know their iCloud password by heart in case the iPhone asks for it? Maybe I'm finally an old geezer who needs memory booster pills... or perhaps have the password tattooed to somewhere on my body, just in case?

I had to spend HOURS in an Apple Store doing a complete iPhone reset because I could not remember my password.

Was really, really, really annoying.

Definitely never buying an iPhone in person again.

 

[BigBlur]

Yes, I remember mine, though I wouldn't call mine a password...it's a passphrase.

Many people seem to think a strong password is something random like 6rt#kPw^cQ or adding randomness to a word like M@crUM0r5, but then it can be hard to remember the casing or which letters you swapped for numbers for each character. Plus, it's not very long. A password should be at least 14-16 characters.

Instead, use a passphrase. They're easier to remember and can actually be much stronger than a password due to the length. For example, Apple Be My Fav0rite Fruit! will take significantly longer to crack via brute force than the two examples listed above. Length is more important than complexity. This one is 27 characters AND easy to remember!

Obviously, you don't have to do this for every site/account, as it would then get difficult to remember all your different passphrases. I use a password manager (iCloud Passwords) for almost everything else; the passphrase is essentially my master password. I have no idea what most of my other passwords are since they are auto-generated 16+ characters of randomness. I let my password manager fill those in for me when they're needed.

Password vs. Passphrase: Differences & Which Is Better? | Okta

A common debate in cybersecurity surrounds passphrases vs. passwords. Join Okta in exploring what a passphrase is and why you should use one over a password.

www.okta.com

Password Length vs Complexity: Which Is More Important?

In an online world of various password requirements, is length more important than complexity? Find out and learn how to increase your password security.

www.keepersecurity.com

 

[johaen8]

Yes, I remember mine, though I wouldn't call mine a password...it's a passphrase.

Many people seem to think a strong password is something random like 6rt#kPw^cQ or adding randomness to a word like M@crUM0r5, but then it can be hard to remember the casing or which letters you swapped for numbers for each character. Plus, it's not very long. A password should be at least 14-16 characters.

Instead, use a passphrase. They're easier to remember and can actually be much stronger than a password due to the length. For example, Apple Be My Fav0rite Fruit! will take significantly longer to crack via brute force than the two examples listed above. Length is more important than complexity. This one is 27 characters AND easy to remember!

Obviously, you don't have to do this for every site/account, as it would then get difficult to remember all your different passphrases. I use a password manager (iCloud Passwords) for almost everything else; the passphrase is essentially my master password. I have no idea what most of my other passwords are since they are auto-generated 16+ characters of randomness. I let my password manager fill those in for me when they're needed.

Password vs. Passphrase: Differences & Which Is Better? | Okta

A common debate in cybersecurity surrounds passphrases vs. passwords. Join Okta in exploring what a passphrase is and why you should use one over a password.

www.okta.com

Password Length vs Complexity: Which Is More Important?

In an online world of various password requirements, is length more important than complexity? Find out and learn how to increase your password security.

www.keepersecurity.com

Relevant xkcd: https://xkcd.com/936/

Also, I have no idea what my iCloud password is. Maybe I should change it to correct horse battery staple.

 

[ayephoner]

I remember mine because the last time i forgot it, apple wouldn't let me reset it and froze my account for several days. I couldn't download new apps and needed a random app for something (that probably wasn't all that important).

So I figured out a way to remember it. I'm still angry about that experience though.

 

[ignatius345]

Until recently I had a long (like 20+) character totally unmemorizable iCloud password, just loaded with special characters. I ended up having to change it, and this time I went with a more memorable (and longer) password consisting of a series of words with a couple of other characters thrown it. It's memorizable for sure, nearly 30 characters long, and since 2-factor authentication is on, I feel secure using it.

 

[eyoungren]

To disable Find My.

Prepare your iPhone or iPad for service - Apple Support

Before you bring your device or send it to Apple for service, follow these steps to help protect your personal information and save time on your repair.

support.apple.com

It typically requires at least a few moments for me to recall, as I don’t need to often. However, yes, I do.

I use my password manager at least every few days, yet on occasion, I need to think the master password through carefully.

I’ve forgotten 3-digit locker combinations plenty of times. So, I won’t belittle anyone for not easily recalling 16+ characters. Although, ultimately, remembering some passwords is important or even essential nowadays.

I had to spend HOURS in an Apple Store doing a complete iPhone reset because I could not remember my password.

Was really, really, really annoying.

Definitely never buying an iPhone in person again.

If I know I am going to an Apple store (because I've scheduled an appointment) I will take care of backing up, turning off FindMy and wiping my iPhone before I ever arrive at the store.

Presenting the 'Genius' with an iDevice that is completely wiped, unlocked (no passcode), removed from iCloud (FindMy turned off) and ready to be set up, completely shortcircuits the whole time consuming affair. And at that point, we move on.

Additionally, no one in the back has any access to any of my info because the device has been completely wiped. Once I get it (or a new device) back, I can go home and restore.

Lastly, if any problems are going to crop up, I can catch them at home rather than wasting my time in store or anyone else's time. This is a process I have repeated enough times since 2012 that it's just become something I do before any Apple store visit.

 

[Ethanmenzel]

I remember hearing in an interview that you should only remember two passwords: your password to your password manager and your Apple ID/iCloud Password. If you use iCloud Keychain as your password manager, you only need to remember one password. You can forget everything because it will all be stored in your Password Manager.

 

[ignatius345]

I remember hearing in an interview that you should only remember two passwords: your password to your password manager and your Apple ID/iCloud Password. If you use iCloud Keychain as your password manager, you only need to remember one password. You can forget everything because it will all be stored in your Password Manager.

But God help you if you get locked out of your iCloud account and lose access to everything. This is why I'm using a third-party password manager.

 

[antiprotest]

I took my spare phone out to look up my iCloud password. The Genus said something like "oh, how can you not remember it? anybody who uses iPhones ALWAYS know it by heart!" I thought "oh great, so I'm the only person in the world who doesn't remember it?"

I wasn't there so I lack context and don't know the tone of voice used, but on the face of it, this is very unprofessional behavior from that Apple staff. The customer is cooperating and have access to the information needed, so just shut up and wait. Typical subpar service from Apple nowadays though. Again, I lack context. If the exchange allowed for light banter and teasing, then that's ok.

 

[NoBoMac]

If I know I am going to an Apple store (because I've scheduled an appointment) I will take care of backing up, turning off FindMy and wiping my iPhone before I ever arrive at the store.

This. Knock on wood, have been lucky all these years with my Apple gizmos where trips to an Apple Store for service is pretty rare (3x over last 17 years) so not just dropping in and can do the prep before showing up.

Instead, use a passphrase. They're easier to remember and can actually be much stronger than a password due to the length. For example, Apple Be My Fav0rite Fruit! will take significantly longer to crack via brute force than the two examples listed above. Length is more important than complexity. This one is 27 characters AND easy to remember!

Pretty much +1 this, but I remember an article "Ars Technica" did years ago where they wanted to test how good the dictionaries were, and how well the algorithms used said dictionaries, in various password cracking programs. Most had a 50-80% success rate iirc, but one had a 93% rate and got some of the passwords the author(s) thought would be tough to impossible. The one that caught them by surprise was "motherof3gr8kids": dictionaries had hacked passwords of "motherof3g" and "r8kids".

So one of my variations is to change up the spelling regarding letter case. Instead of "cat", "caT". "Apple" = "ApPle". And so on. But in context what ever else is there, basically looking at the string of characters and trying to spot where a dictionary entry might be combined with another to create a match. "MyDogHasFleas" = "mYdOghAsflEas".

Along those lines, saw a suggestion years ago about making a sentence and using 1-2 letters from each word and mixing up the cases. "MyDogHasFleas" = "mYdOhAfL".

But +1 everyone else re complex but easy to remember for me passwords for iCloud and devices that are not used anywhere else and password managers (Keychain and 3rd party) to manage long randoms for everything not iCloud, devices.

 

[eyoungren]

I wasn't there so I lack context and don't know the tone of voice used, but on the face of it, this is very unprofessional behavior from that Apple staff. The customer is cooperating and have access to the information needed, so just shut up and wait. Typical subpar service from Apple nowadays though. Again, I lack context. If the exchange allowed for light banter and teasing, then that's ok.

It's been like this for me at least since late 2015. Once Arendts made metrics and selling the focus of being an Apple genius is when things started to slide.

Granted, this is a particular store I visit. Others have said that other stores in my area are not the same, but I have yet to try that out.

The last genius I dealt with realized that he couldn't sell me a brand new iPhone. I was there for a new battery on an iPhone 6+, a phone which isn't even a secondary phone to me but that Apple still (at that time) supported. The phone was shutting off because the battery was bad. He insisted it was the logicboard, but when I pointed out that it had the EXACT same behavior when plugged in, we no longer had anything to discuss. My potential new battery was all of a sudden 'out of stock' and the phone was 'too old'.

Furthermore, I find now that I know more than the geniuses I am dealing with. Which tells you how much things have slid, because I am just an informed customer. I am nowhere near being an expert on anything, let alone Apple devices. But they aren't used to dealing with people who are not wholly dependent upon them or upon Apple. And they don't like being questioned or challenged. I just avoid the Apple store now unless I must go there.

 

[eyoungren]

This. Knock on wood, have been lucky all these years with my Apple gizmos where trips to an Apple Store for service is pretty rare (3x over last 17 years) so not just dropping in and can do the prep before showing up.

Yeah, I find that if I do the prep work I've effectively forced them to just concentrate on the problem at hand rather than giving them an opening to upsell me. It also shows them that they aren't dealing with a typical customer who needs to be helped through this process. And THAT usually put us on a level playing field as far as how I'm treated.

For me, two devices since 2012. I'm not counting the run of iPhone 5s (5, not 5s) that were replaced for various issues.

 

[SnowPenguin]

For me, it makes no sense not to remember it. You enter it every time you download an app. The system occasionally asks you to re-enter it from time to time.

 

[racerhomie]

I never remember my iCloud account or any other Internet Password, by intention, because most of human made passwords are insecure. I keep iCloud Generated Passwords in my iCloud Keychain, and have multiple Apple devices if one of my devices get stolen

 

[NoBoMac]

Yeah, I find that if I do the prep work I've effectively forced them to just concentrate on the problem at hand rather than giving them an opening to upsell me.

Very true. And in my case, showing up with a device in great shape (MBP for battery replacement still covered by AC) closed the door on "what else is broken/needs fixing to up the service charge before doing battery". Genius was truly amazed I had a device in great shape, how they generally see devices really banged up.

 

[Ethanmenzel]

But God help you if you get locked out of your iCloud account and lose access to everything. This is why I'm using a third-party password manager.

Why would you loose access to your iCloud account if you remember the password

 

[eyoungren]

Very true. And in my case, showing up with a device in great shape (MBP for battery replacement still covered by AC) closed the door on "what else is broken/needs fixing to up the service charge before doing battery". Genius was truly amazed I had a device in great shape, how they generally see devices really banged up.

I got the battery on my 6s+ replaced at the Apple store in November 2021. It was one of the few times I got a really decent genius. He was surprised that (at that time) a six year old phone with no case (I don't use cases) was in such good condition. Having a home button also surprised him.

He did try to sell me on an iPad as a Mac substitute though, until I explained that my MacPro was driving six Cinema Displays. But it was nice being treated decently for once.

 

[JamesMay82]

Yes, I remember mine, though I wouldn't call mine a password...it's a passphrase.

Many people seem to think a strong password is something random like 6rt#kPw^cQ or adding randomness to a word like M@crUM0r5, but then it can be hard to remember the casing or which letters you swapped for numbers for each character. Plus, it's not very long. A password should be at least 14-16 characters.

Instead, use a passphrase. They're easier to remember and can actually be much stronger than a password due to the length. For example, Apple Be My Fav0rite Fruit! will take significantly longer to crack via brute force than the two examples listed above. Length is more important than complexity. This one is 27 characters AND easy to remember!

Obviously, you don't have to do this for every site/account, as it would then get difficult to remember all your different passphrases. I use a password manager (iCloud Passwords) for almost everything else; the passphrase is essentially my master password. I have no idea what most of my other passwords are since they are auto-generated 16+ characters of randomness. I let my password manager fill those in for me when they're needed.

Password vs. Passphrase: Differences & Which Is Better? | Okta

A common debate in cybersecurity surrounds passphrases vs. passwords. Join Okta in exploring what a passphrase is and why you should use one over a password.

www.okta.com

Password Length vs Complexity: Which Is More Important?

In an online world of various password requirements, is length more important than complexity? Find out and learn how to increase your password security.

www.keepersecurity.com

I do this but mine is an mis mash of song lyrics that are easy for me to remember.

 

[CMoore515]

I do. Also know my 1Password Master password and Mac password. Everything else is in 1Password.