The basic steps are the same across all major email providers

To change your email password, you log into your account, find the security or account settings section, and create a new password. The exact location of these settings differs slightly between Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, but the process takes about five minutes on any of them. You do not need to contact support or verify anything beyond what the email provider already knows about you.

Before you start, decide on a new password. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your email address, or anything someone could guess from your social media. Write it down somewhere safe — a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, a locked notebook, or a secure note on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all let you change your password from the account settings page, which you reach by clicking your profile picture or account name.
  • You will need to enter your current password before creating a new one, so have it ready or use your password manager to look it up.
  • After you change your password, you may be signed out of other devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.
  • If you forget your current password, each provider has a recovery process using a backup email address or phone number you set up earlier.

How to change your password in Gmail

Go to myaccount.google.com in your browser and sign in if you are not already. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down to the section labeled How you sign in to Google and click Password. Enter your current password when prompted, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click Change password.

Google will ask if you want to sign out of other devices. If you choose yes, anyone using your account on a phone, tablet, or computer will be signed out and will need to enter the new password the next time they open Gmail or another Google service. This is a good security step if you think someone else may have access to your account or if you are using a shared device.

How to change your password in Outlook or Hotmail

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click Security at the top. Under Password and security info, click Change my password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Next, then Finish.

Microsoft will sign you out of Outlook on the web, but you may stay signed in on your phone or other devices. If you use Outlook on a desktop computer or phone app, you will need to update the password there as well. Open the app, go to settings, find your account, and enter the new password when prompted.

How to change your password in Yahoo Mail

Go to account.yahoo.com and sign in. Click Account info at the top. On the left, click Security and privacy, then Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Change password.

Yahoo will ask you to confirm your identity by sending a code to your backup email address or phone number. Check that email or text message, enter the code on Yahoo's page, and your password change is complete. This extra step protects your account in case someone has gained access without your knowledge.

How to change your password in Apple Mail

On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Mail, then Accounts. Tap your iCloud or Apple ID account. Tap Password & Security or Account (the exact name depends on your device and iOS version). Tap Change Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Tap Change.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu, then System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General, then Login Items or Passwords. Find your iCloud or Apple ID account and click Edit. Enter your current password and your new password twice, then click Change. You may need to restart Mail or sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.

What happens after you change your password

You will remain signed in on the device where you made the change. On other devices — your phone, tablet, or computer — you may be signed out automatically. The next time you open your email app or go to the email website, you will see a prompt to enter your password. Type your new password and you will be signed back in.

If you use your email password to sign into other services — like social media, banking, or shopping sites — do not change those passwords unless you think they have been compromised. Your email password and your passwords for other websites should always be different. If someone gains access to your email, they can reset the passwords on every other account you own, so keeping your email password unique and strong is the most important security step you can take.

If you cannot remember your current password

Each email provider has a recovery process. Go to the sign-in page for your email (gmail.com, outlook.com, yahoo.com, or icloud.com) and click Forgot password? or Can't sign in? The provider will ask you to verify your identity using a backup email address, a phone number, or security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify, you can create a new password without entering the old one.

If you do not have access to your backup email or phone number, the recovery process becomes longer. You may need to answer security questions, provide a government ID, or wait for the provider to review your account. This is why setting up a backup email address and phone number as soon as you create an account is important — it makes recovery much faster if you ever get locked out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail or Outlook on my phone?

Usually yes, but it depends on the provider and your settings. Gmail and Microsoft typically sign you out of other devices for security. Yahoo and Apple may keep you signed in on some devices. Check your email app after changing your password — if you see an error message, tap it and enter your new password to sign back in.

Can I change my password on my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all let you change your password from their mobile apps or mobile websites. The steps are the same as on a computer, just with slightly different button locations. Open your email app, go to settings or account info, find the password section, and follow the prompts.

How often should I change my email password?

You do not need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone has accessed your account, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. A strong, unique password that only you know is more important than how often you change it.

What if I change my password and still cannot sign in?

Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes time for the change to sync across all the provider's servers. Then try signing in again with the new password. If you still cannot sign in, use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it again. If that does not work, contact the email provider's support team through their website.