You cannot see your YouTube password, but you can reset it

YouTube does not show you your password for security reasons — even YouTube staff cannot see it. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it through Google Account Recovery, which is the system that manages all Google services including YouTube. The reset process takes a few minutes and sends a confirmation link to your recovery email or phone number.

If you are already signed in to YouTube but cannot remember your password for another reason — like signing in on a different device — you can skip the recovery process and simply sign out, then use the password reset option on the sign-in page.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to the Google Account sign-in page and enter your email, then click "Forgot password?" to start the reset process.
  • Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number.
  • After you verify your identity, you can create a new password that will work for YouTube and all other Google services.
  • If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, you can answer security questions about your account instead.
  • A password reset takes effect immediately — you will need to sign in again on all your devices using the new password.

How to reset your password using your recovery email

Start at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your YouTube account, then click Next. On the next screen, click "Forgot password?" — do not enter anything yet.

Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. Type in any old password you recall using for this account. If you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way" to use a recovery email or phone instead. After you enter an old password, click Next.

Google will send a verification code to your recovery email address. Open that email, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the Google sign-in page. Click Next. You will now see a screen to create your new password. Type it twice to confirm, then click "Change password." Your new password is active immediately.

How to reset your password using your recovery phone number

If you do not have access to your recovery email, follow the same steps above but choose "Get a code on your phone" instead of entering an old password. Google will send a text message with a verification code to the phone number on file.

Open the text message, copy the code, and enter it on the Google sign-in page. Click Next, then create your new password. If you do not receive the text within a few minutes, check that the phone number in your account is correct — you may need to update it first.

What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone

If both your recovery email and phone number are unavailable, Google will let you answer security questions instead. On the password reset page, after you click "Try another way," select "Answer security questions." Google will ask you questions about your account history — such as when you created the account, what devices you use, or previous passwords you have used.

Answer as many questions as you can accurately. Google uses your answers to confirm you own the account. If you pass this verification, you will be able to create a new password. If you cannot answer enough questions correctly, you may need to wait a few days and try again, or contact Google Support for additional recovery options.

How to sign in on a new device after resetting your password

After you reset your password, you will need to sign in again on any device where you were previously signed in. Go to youtube.com or open the YouTube app, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Sign out." Then click "Sign in," enter your email address, and use your new password.

If you have multiple devices, you do not need to sign out everywhere at once — your old sessions will expire automatically within a few hours. Signing in on a new device with your new password will work immediately.

Why you might be locked out of your account

If you see a message saying your account is locked or suspicious activity was detected, Google may have temporarily blocked sign-in attempts for your protection. Wait a few hours, then try again. If the lock persists, follow the password reset steps above — resetting your password will usually unlock the account.

If you see a message that your account has been disabled, that is different from a locked account and usually means Google detected a violation of their terms of service. You can request a review by going to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and following the prompts for a disabled account. The review process can take several days.

What happens to your YouTube data when you reset your password

Resetting your password does not delete any of your videos, playlists, subscriptions, or watch history. Your channel and all its content remain exactly as it was. The password change only affects how you sign in — it does not touch the data stored in your account.

If you are concerned that someone else has access to your account, you can also check which devices are signed in by going to myaccount.google.com, clicking "Security" on the left, then scrolling to "Your devices" and clicking "Manage all devices." You can sign out of any device from this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my YouTube password if I am already signed in?

No. Google does not display passwords anywhere in your account settings, even if you are signed in. If you need to know your password for another device, use the password reset process instead.

How long does it take to reset my YouTube password?

The reset itself takes a few minutes once you verify your identity. Your new password works immediately. However, if you are locked out of your account due to suspicious activity, Google may require you to wait a few hours before attempting the reset.

Will resetting my password sign me out everywhere?

Not immediately, but your old sessions will expire within a few hours. You will need to sign in again on any device where you want to continue using YouTube. Signing in with your new password works right away on any device.

What if I do not remember any old passwords?

Use your recovery email or phone number instead. During the reset process, click "Try another way" and choose either "Get a code on your email" or "Get a code on your phone." If you do not have access to either, you can answer security questions about your account.

Does resetting my password delete my YouTube channel?

No. Your channel, videos, subscriptions, and all other account data stay exactly as they are. A password reset only changes how you sign in — it does not affect any of your content or settings.