How to Change Your Password on Your Phone

Where to find the password change option on your phone

The location of password settings depends on whether you mean your phone's unlock code, your email account password, or a specific app password. Most people need to change their phone's unlock PIN or passcode, which lives in your phone's main Settings app under Security or Lock Screen. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). On Android, the path is usually Settings > Security & Privacy > Screen Lock or Lock Screen, though the exact wording varies by manufacturer.

If you want to change the password for an email account or social media app on your phone, you'll find those settings inside each app itself, not in your phone's main settings. Gmail, Outlook, Facebook, and Instagram all have their own password change screens buried in their account settings menus. The process is different for each one, so knowing which password you're changing first will save you time hunting through menus.

Key Takeaways

Your phone's unlock code is changed in Settings under Security or Lock Screen, and you'll need to enter your current code first.
Email and app passwords are changed inside each app's account settings, not in your phone's main settings menu.
You must enter your current password or PIN before creating a new one, so have it ready or use a recovery method if you've forgotten it.
After changing your password, you may need to sign back into apps or services on other devices that use the same account.

Changing your iPhone unlock passcode

Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on iPhone models without Face ID). You'll be asked to enter your current passcode. Once you do, tap Change Passcode at the top of the screen. Enter your current passcode one more time, then type your new passcode twice to confirm it. Apple will tell you if your new code is too simple — for example, repeating numbers like 1111 or sequential numbers like 1234 — and ask you to choose something stronger.

If you've forgotten your current passcode, you cannot change it from this screen. Instead, you'll need to erase your iPhone and set it up again using your Apple ID. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from locking you out of your own phone. You can start this process by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, then choosing Erase All Content and Settings.

Changing your Android unlock PIN or pattern

Open Settings and navigate to Security & Privacy, then Screen Lock or Lock Screen (the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer). Tap the current lock method you're using — PIN, pattern, or password. You'll be asked to enter your current PIN, pattern, or password to verify it's you. After you do, you'll see an option to create a new one. Enter your new PIN or pattern twice to confirm it matches.

Android phones often offer multiple lock types. You can switch from a PIN to a pattern, or from a pattern to a password, by selecting a different lock type in the same menu. If you forget your PIN or pattern, the recovery process depends on your phone's manufacturer and whether you've set up a Google account recovery option. Most Android phones let you use your Google account to unlock the device, but this varies.

Changing an email password on your phone

Open the email app (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or whichever you use) and tap your profile picture or account icon, usually in the top right corner. Look for Account Settings or Manage Your Account. Tap Security or Password. You'll be taken to a screen where you enter your current password, then your new password twice. Gmail and Outlook will ask you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or recovery email before letting you change the password.

After you change your email password, you may need to sign back into that email account on other devices — your computer, tablet, or other phones. Some services will log you out automatically and ask for your new password the next time you open the app. Others will keep you signed in on existing devices but require the new password if you try to add the account to a new device.

Changing passwords for social media and other apps

Most apps store their password settings in an account or profile menu. Open the app, tap your profile picture or menu icon (usually in the top right or bottom right corner), and look for Settings, Account, or Security. From there, find Password or Change Password. You'll enter your current password, then your new password twice. The exact steps vary widely — Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter all organize these menus differently.

If you can't find the password option in an app, try opening that service's website on your phone's web browser instead. Most services let you change your password from either the app or the website, and the website version is sometimes easier to navigate. After changing your password in an app, you'll usually stay signed in on that phone, but you may be logged out on other devices or browsers.

What to do if you've forgotten your current password

If you've forgotten the password you need to enter before creating a new one, look for a "Forgot password?" or "Can't sign in?" link on the password change screen. This link will walk you through a recovery process, usually by sending a code to your email address or phone number. You'll use that code to verify your identity, then set a new password without needing to remember the old one.

For your phone's unlock code, the recovery process is more involved because it's a security feature. If you've forgotten your iPhone passcode, you'll need to erase the phone and set it up again. If you've forgotten your Android PIN or pattern, you can usually use your Google account to unlock it, but the exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. In both cases, you'll need access to your email account or phone number to complete the recovery.

Keeping your passwords secure after you change them

After you change a password, write it down in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or your phone's built-in password manager (both iPhone and Android have these). A password manager stores your passwords in an encrypted vault so you don't have to remember them or write them on paper. Most password managers can also generate strong, random passwords for you, which are much harder to guess than ones you create yourself.

If you changed your password because you think someone else knows it, change it on all devices and services where you use that same password. Many people reuse the same password across multiple apps and websites, which means if one service is breached, someone could use that password to access your email, banking, or social media accounts. After a password change, it's a good time to make sure each important account has its own unique password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password if I just got a new phone?

No. When you set up a new phone, you'll sign into your accounts with your existing passwords. You don't need to change them unless you suspect someone else knows them or you want to update them for security reasons. If you're moving from an old phone to a new one, your passwords stay the same — you're just entering them on a new device.

Will changing my phone's unlock code affect my apps or data?

No. Changing your phone's unlock PIN or passcode only affects how you unlock your phone. Your apps, photos, messages, and all other data will remain exactly as they are. The unlock code is separate from everything else on your phone.

What happens to my old password after I change it?

Your old password stops working immediately. If you wrote it down somewhere, you should find and destroy that note. If you used it on other accounts or devices, those will continue to work until you sign out or the service logs you out automatically. You'll need to sign back in with your new password.

Can I change my password if I don't have internet on my phone?

You can change your phone's unlock code without internet. For email and app passwords, you'll need an internet connection because your phone has to communicate with the company's servers to update your password. If you don't have internet, try connecting to WiFi or using a computer instead.

How often should I change my passwords?

You don't need to change passwords on a schedule unless your workplace or bank requires it. Change your password if you think someone knows it, if you've reused it on multiple sites, if a service you use has been breached, or if you haven't changed it in several years. For accounts that matter most — email, banking, social media — changing them once a year is reasonable.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.