Where to change your password depends on which email service you use
You cannot change your email password directly in the iPhone Mail app. Instead, you change it through your email provider's website or app — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or whoever hosts your account. Once you change it there, you then update it in the Mail app so your phone can still receive messages.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider. The Mail app itself will not let you create a new password; it only stores the one you give it.
Key Takeaways
- Change your password through your email provider's website first — not through the Mail app.
- After changing your password online, you must update it in the Mail app settings or your phone will stop receiving email.
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo each have different password change pages, so you need to know which service hosts your account.
- If you forget your password, use your provider's account recovery process before trying to update it on your phone.
How to change a Gmail password
Go to myaccount.google.com on any web browser. Sign in with your Gmail address and current password. Click Security in the left menu, then scroll down to find Password and click it.
Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm your identity. Enter your current password. Then type your new password twice — once in the first field and once to confirm it. Click Change Password. Google will sign you out of all your devices and apps, including your iPhone.
After you change it, open the Mail app on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your Gmail account, then tap Account. Tap the password field, delete the old password, and type your new one. Tap Save at the top right.
How to change an Outlook or Hotmail password
Go to account.microsoft.com in a web browser and sign in. Click Security at the top, then click Change your password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice and click Next.
Microsoft will sign you out of your account on all devices. On your iPhone, open Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your Outlook account, then tap Account. Update the password field with your new password and tap Save.
How to change a Yahoo password
Go to login.yahoo.com and sign in with your Yahoo email and current password. Click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account info. Click Security on the left side, then click Change password.
Yahoo will ask you to confirm your identity by sending a code to your phone or recovery email. Enter that code, then type your new password twice and click Change password. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your Yahoo account, tap Account, and update the password field with your new one.
What to do if the Mail app stops working after you change your password
If you changed your password but did not update it in the Mail app, your phone will show an error message saying the password is incorrect. The Mail app will stop downloading new messages.
Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts and tap the account that is not working. Tap Account, then tap the password field. Delete the old password and type your new one. Tap Save at the top. The Mail app should reconnect within a few minutes.
If the error continues, try signing out of the account completely and signing back in. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap the account, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete Account. Then tap Mail > Accounts > Add Account, choose your email provider, and sign in with your email address and new password.
How to recover your password if you forgot it
If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it through the normal process. Instead, use your email provider's account recovery page.
For Gmail, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For Outlook, go to account.live.com/password/reset. For Yahoo, go to login.yahoo.com and click Forgot password? Each service will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions you set up before. Once you regain access to your account, you can then change your password and update it on your iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my password on my iPhone separately from my email account?
No. You change the password once through your email provider's website. Then you update it in the Mail app so your phone knows the new password. The Mail app does not have its own password system — it only stores what you give it.
Will changing my email password sign me out of other apps?
It depends on the app. Gmail and Outlook will sign you out of all apps and devices when you change your password. Yahoo does the same. Some third-party apps that use your email may need you to re-enter your password, but most will prompt you automatically.
What if I use a custom email domain with Gmail or Outlook?
The process is the same. Go to myaccount.google.com or account.microsoft.com, sign in, and change your password there. Then update it in the Mail app on your iPhone the same way you would for a regular Gmail or Outlook account.
Can I change my password directly in the Mail app?
No. The Mail app only lets you enter and update a password that already exists. To create a new password, you must go to your email provider's website or app first, change it there, and then tell the Mail app what the new password is.