Change your PayPal password from your account settings in three steps

To change your PayPal password, sign into your account, go to Settings, select Security, and choose Change Password. You'll enter your current password once, then create and confirm your new one. The whole process takes about two minutes and takes effect immediately.

You should change your password if you've used the same one for multiple accounts, if someone else has accessed your account, or simply as routine maintenance every few months. PayPal doesn't force you to change it on a schedule, but doing so reduces the risk that an old password compromised elsewhere could be used against your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in to PayPal, click the gear icon for Settings, then select Security and Change Password.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • The password change takes effect right away — you don't need to sign out and back in.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from Settings.

Step-by-step: changing your password while signed in

Step 1: Sign into your PayPal account. Go to paypal.com and enter your email address and current password. If you use two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone or generated by an app), enter that code when prompted.

Step 2: Open Settings. Look for the gear icon in the top right corner of the page. Click it and select Settings from the menu that appears.

Step 3: Go to Security. In the left sidebar, click Security. You'll see several options including Change Password, Two-Factor Authentication, and Recognized Devices.

Step 4: Click Change Password. Enter your current password in the first field. This confirms it's really you making the change, even though you're already signed in.

Step 5: Create your new password. PayPal requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one symbol (like ! @ # $ % or &). Type your new password in the New Password field.

Step 6: Confirm your new password. Type the same password again in the Confirm Password field. If the two don't match, PayPal will tell you to try again.

Step 7: Click Change Password. PayPal will show a confirmation message. Your new password is now active.

What to do if you've forgotten your current password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't use the Settings method above because it asks for your old password first. Instead, go to paypal.com and click "Forgot Password?" on the login page.

PayPal will ask you to enter your email address, then send you a reset link. Check your email (including spam folders) for a message from PayPal. Click the link in that email, and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password without knowing the old one. The link expires after a few hours, so act on it fairly quickly.

If you don't see the reset email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it's not there, go back to the login page and request another reset link. You can request as many as you need.

Password requirements and what makes a strong one

PayPal enforces four requirements: at least 8 characters, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one number or symbol. A password like "BlueSky2024!" meets all of these. A password like "password" or "12345678" will be rejected.

Beyond PayPal's minimum rules, a stronger password is one you don't use anywhere else. If that same password is used on your email account, your bank, or other sites, and one of those sites gets hacked, someone could use your password to access PayPal too. Using a unique password for PayPal means a breach elsewhere won't put your account at risk.

If you have trouble remembering a unique password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you. Popular options include Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane. Your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) also has a built-in password manager, though it's less secure than a dedicated tool.

Signing out of other devices after you change your password

When you change your PayPal password, you stay signed in on the device you used to make the change. Other devices where you were already signed in will also stay signed in — they won't be automatically logged out. This is intentional, because it prevents you from getting locked out of your phone or tablet.

However, if you changed your password because you think someone else accessed your account, you should sign out everywhere and sign back in with your new password. Go to Settings, then Security, then scroll down to find "Active Sessions" or "Where You're Signed In." You'll see a list of devices and browsers. Click the X or "Sign Out" button next to any device you don't recognize or no longer use.

After you've removed unknown devices, sign back into PayPal on your own devices using your new password. This ensures that anyone who had your old password can no longer access your account.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security

Changing your password is important, but PayPal also offers two-factor authentication, which requires a second form of proof when you sign in — usually a code sent to your phone. Even if someone learns your password, they can't access your account without that code.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to Settings, select Security, and click Set Up Two-Factor Authentication. PayPal will ask whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Text message is simpler; an app is slightly more secure because codes aren't sent over the internet.

Two-factor authentication is optional, but it's worth using if you store payment methods in PayPal or use it to manage money. The extra step takes about 10 seconds each time you sign in from a new device, and it makes your account much harder to break into.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sign out and back in after changing my password?

No. Your new password takes effect immediately, and you'll stay signed in on the device where you made the change. You only need to sign out and back in if you want to verify the new password works, or if you're signing in on a different device for the first time.

How often should I change my PayPal password?

PayPal doesn't require you to change it on a schedule. Change it if you've reused it on other accounts, if you think someone accessed your account, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. Routine changes every few months are a reasonable security practice, but not mandatory.

What if I change my password and then can't sign in?

Double-check that you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "BlueSky2024!" is different from "bluesky2024!". If you're sure you're typing it right and it still doesn't work, use the "Forgot Password?" link on the login page to reset it again.

Can I change my password on the PayPal mobile app?

Yes. Open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Settings, then Security, then Change Password. The steps are the same as on the website.

Will changing my password affect my saved payment methods or linked bank accounts?

No. Your password change only affects how you sign in. Your linked bank accounts, credit cards, and other payment methods stay connected to your account.