You cannot retrieve a password you have forgotten, but you can reset it
Email providers do not store passwords in a way that lets them show you what yours is. Instead, they store an encrypted version. This means if you forget your password, the only path forward is to reset it — create a new one through a recovery process. Every major email service (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Apple Mail) offers this reset option, and it takes 5 to 15 minutes if you have access to a recovery phone number or backup email address.
The reset process works the same way across all providers: you tell the service you do not remember your password, prove you own the account by confirming a code sent to your phone or backup email, then create a new password. You will be locked out of your account until you complete these steps, so plan for that downtime if you use email for work or important services.
Key Takeaways
- Email passwords cannot be retrieved once forgotten — you must reset it by proving you own the account through a recovery phone or backup email.
- Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail all have "Forgot password" links on their login pages that start the reset process.
- You will need access to the phone number or backup email address you registered with the account, or you may need to answer security questions you set up earlier.
- After you reset your password, update any apps or devices that use that email account with the new password so they can still send and receive mail.
How to reset a Gmail password
Go to the Gmail login page and click "Forgot password?" below the password field. Enter the last password you remember, or click "Try another way" if you cannot recall any part of it. Gmail will ask you to enter a verification code sent to your recovery phone number or backup email address.
Open the text message or email with the code, type it into Gmail, then create a new password. Make it at least 8 characters long and use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Gmail will ask you to sign in again with the new password to confirm the change took effect.
How to reset an Outlook or Hotmail password
Visit the Outlook password reset page (account.live.com/password/reset) or click "Can't access your account?" on the Outlook login page. Enter your email address and the characters shown in the image verification box. Outlook will send a code to your recovery phone or backup email.
Type the code you received, then create a new password. Outlook requires at least 8 characters and recommends including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You will be signed out of all devices using that account, so you will need to sign back in on each one with your new password.
How to reset a Yahoo password
Go to the Yahoo login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter your Yahoo email address. Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your recovery phone number or backup email address.
Enter the code you receive, then create a new password. Yahoo requires at least 8 characters. After you reset your password, you will be signed out everywhere, and you will need to sign back in on phones, tablets, and computers that use your Yahoo email.
How to reset an Apple Mail password
If you use iCloud Mail (an @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com address), go to iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a trusted phone number, a recovery email address, or security questions you set up when you created your account.
After you verify, you will create a new password. Apple requires at least 8 characters, and it must be different from the last four passwords you used. You will need to update this password on any iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device that uses your Apple ID to send and receive mail.
What to do after you reset your password
Once your new password is active, sign out of your email on any phone, tablet, or computer where you use it. Then sign back in with the new password. Apps like Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, or Mail (on Apple devices) will not work until you enter the new password.
If you use your email to sign into other websites or services — social media, banking, shopping, work systems — you do not need to change those passwords. They are separate from your email password. However, if someone else knows your old email password, change the passwords on any accounts that share the same password, since they are now at risk.
How to prevent being locked out again
Add a recovery phone number and backup email address to your account right now, while you have access. For Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, then scroll to "How we can reach you" and add both. For Outlook, visit account.microsoft.com, click "Security," then add a phone and backup email under "Security info." For Yahoo, go to account.yahoo.com, click "Account security," and add recovery options. For Apple, visit appleid.apple.com and add a trusted phone number and recovery email.
Write down your new password somewhere safe — a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane is the best option because it encrypts the password and you only have to remember one master password. If you write it on paper, keep it in a locked drawer or safe. Do not email it to yourself or text it to anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not have access to my recovery phone or backup email?
You will need to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. If you cannot answer those either, contact the email provider's support team. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple all have support pages where you can describe your situation and request manual account recovery, though this process can take several days.
Can I reset my password on my phone if I am locked out?
Yes. Open your email app or go to the provider's website on your phone's browser and click "Forgot password?" The reset process is identical to using a computer. You will receive the verification code on your recovery phone or email, and you can enter it right there to create a new password.
Will resetting my password delete my emails?
No. Resetting your password does not affect any of your emails, contacts, or files. It only changes the password you use to sign in. All your messages and data will still be there once you sign back in with the new password.
Do I need to reset my password if someone else used my email?
Yes. Change your password immediately, then review your account activity. Most email providers show you where and when your account was accessed. Check for any forwarding rules, recovery phone numbers, or backup emails that were added without your permission, and remove them. If you see suspicious activity, also change passwords on any other accounts that share the same password as your email.