The fastest way: use the Settings app, not the AOL app

Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to Mail > Accounts > AOL. Tap Account at the top, then Password, and enter your new password. This method works because iOS stores your AOL credentials separately from the AOL app itself — changing it here updates the connection across Mail, Calendar, and Contacts all at once.

If you don't see AOL listed under Accounts, you'll need to add it first. Tap Add Account, select Other, then Add Mail Account, and enter your AOL email address. iOS will prompt you for your password and handle the setup automatically.

After you change your password in Settings, you may see a notification asking you to re-enter it. This is normal — just type your new password when prompted. If you use the AOL app separately, you'll need to update the password there too (see the section below).

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app method (Mail > Accounts > AOL > Password) updates your password across all iPhone email features at once.
  • If you use the standalone AOL app, you must update your password there separately — changing it in Settings does not automatically update the app.
  • After changing your password, iOS may ask you to re-enter it; this is a normal security check and not a sign something went wrong.
  • If you forget your new password immediately after changing it, you can reset it on AOL's website from any browser.

Updating the password in the AOL app

If you use the standalone AOL Mail app (not the built-in Mail app), you need to update your password there separately. Open the AOL app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap Settings.

Look for your email account and tap it, then select Password or Change Password. Enter your new password and save. The app will disconnect and reconnect using the new credentials — this usually takes a few seconds.

If the app keeps asking for your password after you've entered it correctly, try signing out completely and signing back in. Tap the menu, go to Settings, find your account, and look for a Sign Out or Remove Account option. Then add the account again with your new password.

What to do if you're locked out or don't remember your current password

If you can't remember your current AOL password, you'll need to reset it before you can change it on your iPhone. Go to login.aol.com on any browser and click Forgot password? AOL will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to your recovery email or phone number.

Once you've reset your password on AOL's website, return to your iPhone and update it in Settings (Mail > Accounts > AOL > Password) or in the AOL app. If iOS still shows an error after you've entered the new password, try restarting your iPhone — sometimes the connection needs a fresh start.

Why your iPhone keeps asking for your password

If your iPhone repeatedly asks for your AOL password even after you've entered it correctly, the most common cause is that your old password is still stored somewhere in the system. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap AOL, then tap Account at the top. Delete the account entirely by scrolling down and tapping Delete Account.

Then add it back: go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account, select Other, choose Add Mail Account, and enter your AOL email and new password. This forces iOS to forget the old credentials and start fresh.

If you see an error message like "Invalid credentials" or "Authentication failed," double-check that you're typing your password correctly — AOL passwords are case-sensitive. Also make sure you're using your full AOL email address (for example, yourname@aol.com), not just the username part.

Two-factor authentication and app passwords

If you've turned on two-factor authentication for your AOL account, your iPhone may not accept your regular password. Instead, AOL requires you to use an app password — a separate, randomly generated password created just for devices like your iPhone.

To create an app password, go to login.aol.com on a computer or another device, sign in, and look for Account Security or App Passwords in your settings. Generate a new app password for "Mail" or "iPhone," then use that password in your iPhone's Settings or AOL app instead of your regular password.

App passwords are longer and more complex than your regular password, but you only need to enter it once on your iPhone — iOS will remember it. If you lose or forget your app password, you can delete it from AOL's website and create a new one.

Checking that your password change worked

After you've changed your password, send yourself a test email from another account to make sure your iPhone is still receiving mail. Open the Mail app and check your inbox — if the email arrives within a minute or two, your password change worked correctly.

If you don't see new emails arriving, go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts > AOL and check that the account shows a green checkmark or "Connected" status. If it shows an error, tap Account and re-enter your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password in both Settings and the AOL app?

Only if you use both. If you only use the built-in Mail app, changing it in Settings is enough. If you use the standalone AOL app, you need to update it there too. Changing your password in one place does not automatically update the other.

Will changing my password sign me out of other devices?

Not automatically. Your password change takes effect immediately, but other devices (like your Mac, iPad, or Android phone) will keep working until they try to refresh your mail. When they do, they'll ask for your new password. You can sign out of all devices at once from AOL's website if you want extra security.

What if I see "certificate error" or "cannot verify server"?

This usually means your iPhone's date and time settings are wrong, which breaks the security connection to AOL's servers. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time and make sure Set Automatically is turned on. Restart your iPhone after you fix it.

Can I use the same password for AOL and other accounts?

You can, but it's riskier. If one account is breached, someone could access all your accounts. Using a unique password for AOL means a breach elsewhere won't affect your email. Consider using a password manager to keep track of different passwords.

How often should I change my AOL password?

There's no set rule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you've used the same password for years, or if you've reused it on other sites. If your AOL account has never been compromised and you use a strong, unique password, changing it once a year is reasonable.