Accounts · Action Guide

Set Up an Apple Account Recovery Contact

Short answer · G007

An Apple Account Recovery Contact can help a parent regain account access without giving that person routine access to the Apple Account.

Add a trusted recovery contact before account access becomes an emergency.

10 minFreeDo this with: Mom or Dad

Do it now ↓Learn why ↓Build full plan →

Do this now

This page is meant to help you finish one useful task, not just read about it.

Open Settings and tap the Apple Account name.

Open Sign-In & Security, then Account Recovery.

Choose a trusted person as a Recovery Contact if appropriate.

Make sure everyone understands that a Recovery Contact does not get access to the account.

Done?

If you completed the steps above, this task can be checked off. Your family may still have other digital-safety gaps.

Purchase needed? No. This action is designed to be completed without buying a product.

Why this guidance appears

Sources & review

Action ID: G007
Primary source family: Apple Support
Last reviewed: September 22, 2026

Next Time Home converts official guidance into a practical order of operations for an adult child helping a parent. The source organization does not endorse Next Time Home.

See our Sources & Methodology →

Not sure what else Mom or Dad needs?

Build a free plan based on their actual devices and setup. We’ll include free actions first — and tell you when you probably don’t need to buy something.

Build my plan · about 3 minutes