You'll need these credentials if you want to buy a new Apple device. Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually find him reading and drinking coffee or watching a TV series with his wife and their dog. Expertise Web hosting | Operating systems | Applications | Software Credentials Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents If you're an Apple user, then you know how important your Apple Account -- formerly Apple ID -- and password are. You can't access Apple services like iCloud , iMessage and Apple Pay  without them. You also need these credentials to set up new Apple devices -- like any of the devices in the iPhone 17 lineup .  If you forgot your Apple Account password (and don't use a password manager ) or your account has been compromised, you might not be able to access your device or any of Apple's services.…