The Basic Steps for Most Email Providers

To change your password, log into your email account, find the account settings or security section, and create a new password. The exact steps depend on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, but the process is similar across all of them. You will need access to your current email account and a recovery phone number or backup email address on file.

Most providers require you to enter your current password before you can set a new one. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from changing your password if they gain temporary access to your computer. If you have forgotten your current password, you will need to use the "Forgot password" option instead, which sends a reset link to your recovery email or phone number.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password by logging in, navigating to account settings or security, and entering a new password — the process takes about five minutes.
  • A strong password contains at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols; avoid using words from the dictionary or personal information.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page, which will send a reset code to your recovery email or phone number.
  • After you change your password, you may be signed out of other devices; you will need to log back in with your new password on phones, tablets, and computers.
  • Keep your recovery email address and phone number current in your account settings so you can regain access if you forget your password in the future.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Gmail

Open Gmail and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Manage your Google Account" from the menu. Click the "Security" tab at the top of the page. Scroll down to the section labeled "How you sign in to Google" and click "Password." You will be asked to enter your current password again for verification.

Type your new password in the first field and type it again in the second field to confirm. Google will show you whether your password is strong or weak in real time. Click "Change Password" at the bottom. You will see a confirmation message, and you will be signed out of Gmail on all other devices. Log back in on your phone, tablet, or computer using your new password.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Outlook and Hotmail

Go to the Outlook login page and sign in with your email address and current password. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "View account" or "Manage your Microsoft account." Click "Security" in the left menu. Under "Password," click "Change your password."

Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Outlook will indicate whether your password meets security standards. Click "Next" and then "Finish." You will be signed out of Outlook on all devices. You will need to sign back in with your new password on your phone, computer, and any other device where you use Outlook.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Yahoo Mail

Log into your Yahoo Mail account. Click your account icon in the top right corner and select "Account info." Click "Security and privacy" in the left menu. Under "Password," click "Change your password." Yahoo will ask you to enter your current password for verification.

Type your new password and confirm it by typing it again. Yahoo shows a password strength meter as you type. Click "Change password" to save your new password. You will be signed out of Yahoo Mail on all other devices and will need to log back in with your new password.

Creating a Password That Is Hard to Guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueMoon#2024River" is stronger than "password123" because it is longer and uses different types of characters. Avoid using dictionary words, names of family members or pets, birth dates, or sequences like "12345" or "abcde."

One method is to think of a sentence you will remember, then use the first letter of each word plus a number and symbol. For instance, "I moved to Portland in 2015" becomes "ImtPi2015!" Another approach is to use a random combination of words that do not relate to each other, like "CoffeeGiraffe#Pencil7." Write your new password down on paper and store it in a safe place, such as a locked drawer, rather than saving it in an email or text message.

What Happens After You Change Your Password

You will be signed out of your email on all devices except the one you used to change the password. This includes your phone, tablet, laptop, and any other computer where you were logged in. You will need to enter your new password the next time you check email on those devices. This process usually takes a few minutes to an hour to take effect across all devices.

If you use your email password to sign into other services — such as social media, banking, or shopping websites — do not change those passwords unless you suspect they have been compromised. Your email password and your passwords for other websites should always be different. If someone gains access to your email password, they could potentially reset the passwords on all your other accounts, so keeping your email secure is especially important.

If You Forgot Your Current Password

Click "Forgot password?" on the login page of your email provider. You will be asked to enter your email address. The provider will send a password reset link to your recovery email address or a code to your recovery phone number. Check your recovery email inbox or text messages for this link or code.

Click the link or enter the code on the password reset page. You will then be able to create a new password without entering your old one. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, contact your email provider's support team. They may ask you security questions or other information to verify that you own the account before they help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my email password?

You do not need to change your password on a set schedule if you have a strong password and no one else knows it. Change your password immediately if you suspect someone has accessed your account, if you used the same password on a website that was hacked, or if you shared your password with someone who no longer needs access.

Will changing my password delete my emails?

No. Changing your password does not delete, move, or change any of your emails. All your messages, contacts, and folders remain exactly as they were. Only your login credentials change.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Most email providers will not allow you to reuse a password you have used recently, typically within the last 12 months. This is a security measure to prevent you from cycling back to a password that may have been compromised. Choose a new password that you have not used on this account before.

What should I do if I cannot log back in after changing my password?

Make sure you are typing your new password correctly, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols exactly as you entered them. If you still cannot log in, use the "Forgot password?" option to reset your password again. Contact your email provider's support team if the reset link does not arrive in your recovery email or phone.

Do I need to change my password on my phone after changing it on my computer?

Your phone will automatically sign you out after the password change takes effect. The next time you open your email app, you will be prompted to enter your new password. You do not need to manually change anything on your phone — just enter your new password when prompted.