Where to find the email and password settings

Most services let you change your email and password in the same place: your account settings. Look for a link or menu item labeled "Account," "Settings," "Security," or "Profile" — usually found in the top right corner of the screen or in a sidebar menu. Once you're there, you'll see separate sections for email and password, sometimes grouped under "Login Information" or "Account Details."

The exact location varies by service. Gmail puts these in "Manage your Google Account." Microsoft puts them under "Security & Privacy." Facebook uses "Settings & Privacy." If you can't find the settings menu, look for a question mark icon or search for "change password" within the service itself — most have a search function that will take you directly there.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your email and password from your account settings, usually found in a menu at the top right or in a sidebar.
  • Changing your email requires you to verify the new address by clicking a link sent to that email, so you must have access to it first.
  • Changing your password requires you to enter your current password first, then type the new one twice to confirm it matches.
  • After you change either one, you may be logged out and need to sign back in with your new credentials.
  • If you forget your current password before changing it, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from settings.

How to change your email address

Click on your account settings and look for a section called "Email," "Email Address," or "Login Email." You'll see your current email listed. Click the button to change it — it might say "Edit," "Change," or "Update." Type in your new email address and click the button to proceed.

The service will send a confirmation link to your new email address. You must click that link within a set time (usually 24 to 48 hours) to complete the change. If you don't click it, the old email stays active. This step exists to make sure you actually own the new email address and can access it. If you don't receive the confirmation email, check your spam folder or request a new link from the settings page.

Some services will ask you to enter your password again before sending the confirmation link. This is a security step to make sure someone else hasn't gained access to your account. After you click the confirmation link, your new email becomes your login email for that service.

How to change your password

Go to your account settings and find the section for "Password," "Change Password," or "Security." Click the button to change it. You'll be asked to enter your current password first — this confirms it's really you making the change. Type it in exactly as you remember it, including capital letters and numbers.

Next, you'll see fields for your new password. Type your new password in the first field, then type it again in the second field to confirm it matches. Most services show a strength indicator (weak, medium, strong) as you type — aim for at least "medium" strength. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @.

Click the button to save your new password. You'll usually see a message saying the change was successful. Some services log you out immediately and ask you to sign back in with your new password. Others keep you logged in. Either way, write down your new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.

What happens after you change your email or password

If you change your email, the old email address stops working as a login. You must use the new email address to sign in from now on. If you change your password, your old password stops working immediately. Anyone who knew your old password can no longer sign in as you.

Changing your password does not automatically log you out on other devices or browsers where you're already signed in. If you're concerned that someone else has access to your account, you may need to sign out of all sessions manually. Look for an option like "Sign out of all devices" or "Active Sessions" in your security settings, and use it to force a logout everywhere except your current device.

If you can't remember your current password

You cannot change your password from the settings page if you don't know your current password. Instead, go to the login page and click "Forgot Password" or "Can't Sign In." You'll be asked to enter your email address. The service will send a password reset link to that email.

Click the link in that email, and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password without entering the old one. This is the only way to regain access if you've forgotten your password. If you no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you may need to contact the service's support team to verify your identity another way.

Keeping your new email and password secure

After you change your email or password, don't share either one with anyone. If someone asks for your password, it's a scam — legitimate services never ask for your password in an email or message. If you use the same password on multiple services, change it on those other services too, so that if one service gets hacked, your other accounts stay safe.

Consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane to generate and store strong passwords for each service. A password manager remembers all your passwords so you only have to remember one master password. This makes it much easier to use a different, strong password for each account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out everywhere?

Not automatically. You'll stay signed in on devices where you're already logged in. If you want to sign out everywhere at once — for example, if you think someone else has access — look for "Active Sessions," "Sign Out Everywhere," or "Manage Devices" in your security settings and use that option.

What if I change my email but still need to use the old one?

The old email address stops being your login email, but some services let you keep it as a recovery email or secondary email. Check your settings to see if there's an option to add it back as a recovery address. This way, if you forget your new password, the service can send a reset link to the old email too.

Can I change my email and password on my phone?

Yes. Open the service's app or website on your phone, go to settings, and follow the same steps as on a computer. The buttons and menus might be arranged differently, but the process is the same. Make sure you have a working internet connection and enough time to complete the confirmation steps.

Do I need to change my password if I change my email?

No, they're separate changes. You can change one without changing the other. However, if you're changing your email because you think your account was compromised, you should change your password too.

What if the confirmation email never arrives?

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes get filtered there. If it's not there, go back to your settings and request a new confirmation link. If you still don't receive it, make sure the new email address is spelled correctly and that you have access to it. If the problem continues, contact the service's support team.