How to Recover a Deleted Password in the iPhone Passwords App
Deleted passwords can be recovered on an iPhone from the Deleted folder in the Passwords app, provided the entries remain within Apple’s recovery period. Open Passwords, authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode, select Deleted, choose the saved login, and tap Recover.
Steps
- Open the Passwords app on an iPhone running iOS 18 or later.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or the iPhone passcode.
- Tap Deleted and review recently removed password entries.
- Select the website or app login requiring recovery.
- Tap Recover to restore the deleted saved login to the main password list.
🤔Note:
On iOS 17 or earlier, open Settings > Passwords > Recently Deleted, authenticate, select the account, and tap Recover.
Common Issues and Fixes
- The Deleted folder is missing: The iPhone may use an older iOS version, or no password has been deleted recently. Update iOS or check Settings > Passwords > Recently Deleted.
- The deleted password does not appear: Apple permanently removes entries after the retention period, or the entry may have been permanently deleted. Check another Apple device using the same iCloud Keychain account.
- The Recover option is unavailable: The selected login may already be restored or permanently removed. Close and reopen the Passwords app, then check the main password list.
- Passwords are missing across Apple devices: iCloud Keychain may be disabled or using a different Apple Account. Check Settings > [name] > iCloud > Passwords and Keychain.
- The password was deleted from a browser: Browser password storage may be separate from Apple Passwords. Check the browser’s password manager and recently deleted data.
💡Protip:
Apple Passwords Recently Deleted entries are temporary. Recovery may not be possible after the retention period expires.
Restoring an entry returns the saved username and password but may not restore browser history, autofill preferences, or passkeys.
Confirm the correct website domain before restoring a login with duplicate account names.
Avoid choosing Delete Permanently unless recovery is no longer needed. Permanent deletion cannot be reversed.
Related Questions
Can a deleted iPhone password be recovered after 30 days?
Usually, no. Apple removes deleted password entries permanently after the recovery period, leaving no option inside the Passwords app to restore the deleted saved login.
How can a deleted saved login be restored on an iPhone?
Open Passwords > Deleted, authenticate, select the saved login, and tap Recover. Older iOS versions use Settings > Passwords > Recently Deleted.
