Change your password from your email account settings

The fastest way to change your email password is to log into your account and find the password or security settings. The exact location depends on which email service you use — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider — but they all follow the same basic pattern: sign in, find the security section, enter your current password, type your new password twice, and save.

You do not need to download anything or contact support. This is a task you can complete in five minutes from any device with internet access. The steps below cover the three most common email services. If you use a different provider, the process is nearly identical — look for "Security," "Account Settings," or "Change Password" in your account menu.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password by signing into your email account and navigating to the security or account settings section.
  • Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo each have slightly different layouts, but all require your current password before letting you set a new one.
  • Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent unauthorized access.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from inside your account.
  • After you change your password, you may be signed out of the email app on your phone or other devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.

Change your password in Gmail

Go to myaccount.google.com in your web browser and sign in if you are not already signed in. On the left side of the page, click Security. Scroll down until you see Password and click on it.

Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm it is really you. Enter your current password and click Next. Then type your new password in the first box, type it again in the second box to confirm, and click Change Password. You will see a message saying your password has been changed. You are done.

Change your password in Outlook or Hotmail

Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. At the top of the page, click Security. Under the "Security" heading, click Change my password.

Microsoft will ask for your current password. Type it in and click Next. Then create your new password in the first field, type it again in the second field, and click Next. You will see a confirmation message. If you are signed into Outlook on your phone or computer, you will be signed out automatically — you can sign back in with your new password the next time you open the app.

Change your password in Yahoo Mail

Go to account.yahoo.com and sign in. Click Account info at the top. On the left side, click Security. Find the section labeled Password and click Change password.

Yahoo will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and click Verify. Then enter your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm password" field — and click Change password. You will see a confirmation that your password has been updated.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from inside your account because the system will ask you to verify the old one first. Instead, go to the login page for your email service and click Forgot password? or Can't sign in?

The email service will ask you to verify your identity — usually by sending a code to a recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created the account. Once you verify, you will be able to create a brand new password. This process takes a few extra minutes but works even if you have no memory of your old password.

Create a strong password you can remember

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used for another account.

If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores your passwords securely and fills them in automatically when you sign in. Popular options include Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane. A password manager means you only have to remember one strong master password, and the tool remembers the rest.

What happens after you change your password

Your new password takes effect immediately. If you are signed into the email app on your phone, tablet, or computer, you will be signed out within a few minutes or hours depending on the device. The next time you open the app, it will ask you to sign in again — use your new password.

If you have given your password to anyone else — a family member, a friend, or someone helping you with your account — they will no longer be able to sign in. If that was intentional, you are done. If it was not intentional, or if you think someone accessed your account without permission, change your password immediately and then check your account activity to see if anything unusual happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password from a computer, or can I do it from my phone?

You can change your password from a phone, tablet, or computer. Open your web browser, go to your email provider's website, and follow the same steps. The layout might look slightly different on a small screen, but the process is identical.

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

Wait a few minutes — sometimes the change takes a moment to spread across the email service's servers. Then try signing in again with the new password, making sure you have not accidentally typed it wrong. If you still cannot sign in, use the "Forgot password" link to reset it again.

Will changing my password delete my emails?

No. Changing your password does not affect your emails, contacts, or any other data in your account. It only changes the password you use to sign in.

Do I need to change my password regularly?

You do not need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password for multiple accounts, or if your email service notifies you of suspicious activity. Otherwise, one strong password can stay in place indefinitely.

What if my email service is not Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo?

Look for a settings or account menu after you sign in, then search for "Security," "Password," or "Change password." The steps are nearly identical across all email services. If you cannot find it, search the web for "[your email service] change password" and you will find the exact steps.