Change your PayPal password from your account settings

To change your PayPal password, sign into your account on PayPal.com, go to Settings, select Security, and choose Change Password. You will enter your current password once, then type your new password twice. PayPal will confirm the change immediately, and you will stay logged in.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact PayPal support or verify your identity again unless you have forgotten your current password — in that case, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in to PayPal.com, click Settings, then Security, then Change Password to update your password from any device.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you forget your current password, use the Forgot Password link on the login page rather than trying to change it from Settings.
  • PayPal will log you out of other devices after you change your password, so you may need to sign in again on your phone or tablet.
  • If you cannot access your email address or phone number linked to the account, contact PayPal support before attempting a password change.

Step-by-step instructions for the Settings menu

Open PayPal.com and sign in with your email address and current password. Once you are on your account dashboard, look for the gear icon in the top right corner and click Settings.

In the Settings menu, click Security on the left side. You will see several options, including Change Password near the top. Click that link. PayPal will ask you to enter your current password to confirm your identity, then ask you to type your new password twice. Make sure both entries match exactly, then click Change Password.

You will see a confirmation message that your password has been changed. You will remain signed in and can continue using your account immediately.

Password requirements PayPal enforces

Your new password must be at least eight characters long. It must contain at least one uppercase letter (A–Z), one lowercase letter (a–z), one number (0–9), and one special character (such as !, @, #, $, %, or &). PayPal will not accept a password that is too similar to your email address or username.

Do not reuse a password you have used before on PayPal. If you try to set a password you have already used, PayPal will reject it and ask you to choose a different one. This is a security measure to prevent old compromised passwords from being reused.

What happens after you change your password

PayPal will log you out of the account on all other devices — phones, tablets, and computers — within a few minutes. The next time you try to use PayPal on those devices, you will need to sign in again with your new password. This is normal and is a security feature.

If you use PayPal on a mobile app, you will need to sign in again the next time you open it. If you have saved your PayPal information in your browser (autofill), that saved password will no longer work, and you will need to enter your new password manually the first time after the change.

If you have forgotten your current password

Do not try to change your password from the Settings menu if you cannot remember your current password. Instead, go to PayPal.com and click the Forgot Password link below the login fields. Enter your email address, and PayPal will send you a link to reset your password.

Click the link in the email (it expires after a few hours), and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password without entering the old one. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes and request another link.

Troubleshooting common password change problems

If PayPal says your new password does not meet the requirements, check that it contains at least eight characters, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, has at least one number, and has at least one special character. A common mistake is forgetting the special character — PayPal requires one.

If you see an error message saying "We could not process your request," try signing out completely, waiting a minute, and signing back in before attempting the change again. If the problem continues, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try once more. If you still cannot change your password after these steps, contact PayPal support through the Help Center on PayPal.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on the PayPal app too?

No. Your password is the same across PayPal.com and the mobile app. When you change it on the website, the change applies everywhere. You will just need to sign in again on the app using your new password.

Will changing my password affect my linked bank account or credit card?

No. Your password only controls access to your PayPal account. Your linked bank account and credit card information remain connected and will work the same way after you change your password.

How often should I change my PayPal password?

PayPal does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you suspect someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. Otherwise, changing it is optional.

What if I change my password and then immediately forget the new one?

Use the Forgot Password link on the login page to reset it. You will receive an email with a reset link, and you can create a new password without needing to remember the one you just set.