Change your Google password from any device in under five minutes

You can change your Google password by signing into your account, going to the Security section, and selecting "Password" under the "How you sign in to Google" heading. The process takes the same steps whether you use a computer, phone, or tablet. You will need to enter your current password once to confirm the change, then create a new one that Google will accept.

Google requires new passwords to be at least 8 characters long. You do not need to use a special character or number, though doing so makes your password harder to guess. Once you save the new password, you will be signed out of Google on all your devices — you will need to sign back in with the new password the next time you use Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, or any other Google service.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, then click "Password" under "How you sign in to Google."
  • Enter your current password to verify it is really you, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches.
  • You will be signed out everywhere after you change your password, so plan to sign back in on devices you use regularly.
  • If you forget your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Google sign-in page instead of going to your account settings.
  • Changing your Google password also changes the password for Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Photos, and any other Google service tied to that account.

Step-by-step: changing your password on a computer

Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. If you are not already signed in, click "Sign in" and enter your email address and current password. Once you are in your Google Account, look for the menu on the left side of the screen and click "Security."

Scroll down until you see the heading "How you sign in to Google." Below that, you will see a row labeled "Password" with a right-pointing arrow. Click on that row. Google will ask you to enter your current password again as a security check. Type it in and click "Next."

You will now see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in the first field. Type the same password in the second field to make sure you did not make a typo. Click "Change password" at the bottom. Google will show a confirmation message, and you are done.

Changing your password on a phone or tablet

Open the Google app or Gmail app on your phone or tablet. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Tap "Manage your Google Account," then tap the "Security" tab at the top of the screen.

Scroll down to "How you sign in to Google" and tap "Password." Enter your current password when Google asks for it, then tap "Next." Type your new password in both fields, then tap "Change password." The app will confirm the change and return you to the Security page.

What happens after you change your password

Google will sign you out of your account on every device where you were signed in. This includes your phone, tablet, computer, and any other place you use Gmail or YouTube. The next time you try to use a Google service, you will see a sign-in screen asking for your email and password. Enter your new password and you will be back in.

If you have a device you do not use often — like an old tablet or a computer at work — you may not notice you were signed out until you try to use it weeks later. When that happens, just sign in again with your new password. There is no need to do anything special.

Creating a strong password Google will accept

Google requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long. A character is any letter, number, or symbol. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $. Google does not require you to mix all of these together, but doing so makes your password much harder for someone else to guess.

Avoid using your name, your email address, or words that appear in the dictionary by themselves. A password like "Sunshine2024!" is easier to crack than "Tr0pic@lSunset#Panda9." If you have trouble remembering a strong password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you when you sign in.

If you cannot remember your current password

Do not try to change your password from your Google Account settings if you cannot remember the current one. Instead, go to the Google sign-in page (accounts.google.com) and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and follow the steps Google shows you.

Google will ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your recovery email address or phone number. Once you verify, you can create a new password without needing to know the old one. This process takes a few extra minutes but is the correct way to regain access if you are locked out.

Changing the password for a family account or child account

If you manage a child's Google Account through Google Family Link, you cannot change the child's password from your own account. The child must change it themselves by signing into their own account and following the steps above. If the child cannot remember their password, you can reset it through the Family Link app on your phone, which will let them create a new one the next time they sign in.

If you have a shared family account (which is not recommended for security reasons), anyone with access to that account can change the password using the steps above. After the password is changed, all other people using that account will be signed out and will need the new password to sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Google password affect my other accounts like Facebook or Amazon?

No. Your Google password only controls access to Google services like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Drive. Other companies have their own passwords that are completely separate. If you use "Sign in with Google" to access another website, changing your Google password will not affect your account there — you will still be able to sign in with Google using your new password.

How often should I change my Google password?

Google does not require you to change your password on any schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you simply want to. There is no security benefit to changing a strong password every month if no one else has seen it.

Can I change my password if I am signed out of my Google Account?

No. You must be signed in to your Google Account to change your password. If you are signed out and cannot sign in because you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in page instead. If you remember your password but are just signed out, sign back in first, then follow the steps to change it.

What should I do if I see a message saying my password was compromised?

Google will sometimes warn you if your password appears in a list of passwords stolen from other websites. If you see this warning, change your password right away using the steps above. Also check whether you used the same password on other websites and change those passwords too. Using the same password on multiple sites is the main reason passwords get compromised.