The basic steps for changing your password
The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, but the core steps are the same: log in to your account, find the security or password settings, enter your current password, create a new one, and confirm the change. Most providers will send you a confirmation email after you change it, and you may be logged out of other devices until you sign back in with the new password.
You do not need special software or a third party to change your password — you do it directly through your email provider's website or app. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You change your password by logging into your email account and visiting the security or account settings section, not through a separate website or tool.
- Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to guess.
- After you change your password, you will be signed out of other devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.
- If you forget your current password before changing it, you can use the "Forgot password" link on the login page to reset it instead.
- Changing your password regularly and after any security concern helps protect your email and the accounts linked to it.
How to change your password in Gmail
Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in if you are not already. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down to the "How you sign in to Google" section and click Password. Enter your current password when prompted, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click Change password at the bottom.
Google will send you a confirmation email to your recovery email address. If you do not see it within a few minutes, check your spam folder. You will be signed out of Gmail on all your other devices — phones, tablets, computers — and will need to sign back in with your new password the next time you open the app or visit Gmail.
How to change your password in Outlook or Hotmail
Go to account.microsoft.com and sign in. Click Security at the top, then click Change my password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Next, then Finish.
Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your phone or recovery email — follow the prompts to complete the verification. Once you finish, you will be signed out of Outlook on other devices and will need to sign back in with your new password.
How to change your password in Yahoo Mail
Go to account.yahoo.com and sign in. Click Account security on the left. Under "Change your password," click Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Continue.
Yahoo may ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your phone or recovery email. After you verify, your password is changed and you will be signed out of other devices.
What makes a strong password
A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not reuse a password you have used for other accounts.
If you have trouble remembering a complex password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores your passwords securely and fills them in for you. Common password managers include Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane. Your email provider may also offer a built-in password manager in your browser.
What to do if you forget your current password
If you cannot remember your current password before you try to change it, you cannot change it through the normal settings — you will need to reset it instead. On your email provider's login page, click Forgot password? or Can't sign in? and follow the recovery steps.
Most providers will ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your phone number or recovery email address. After you verify, you can create a new password. This process may take a few minutes longer than a normal password change, but it works the same way.
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. The next time you open your email app on a phone, tablet, or computer, or visit your email in a browser on a different device, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter your email address and your new password to sign back in.
Some devices may show an error message saying your password is incorrect — this is normal and means the device is still trying to use your old password. Delete the account from that device and sign back in with your new password. If you use your email for two-factor verification on other accounts, make sure you can still receive codes to those accounts before you change your email password.
When to change your email password
Change your password if you suspect someone else has access to your account, if you have used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or if you used it on a public or shared computer.
If you think your account has been hacked, change your password immediately, then check your recovery email and phone number to make sure they are still correct. Review your recent account activity for any sign-in attempts from unfamiliar locations. Most email providers have a security checkup tool that walks you through these steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my password on my phone?
Yes. Open your email app or go to your provider's website in your phone's browser, sign in, and navigate to security settings the same way you would on a computer. The steps are identical, though the layout may look slightly different on a smaller screen.
Will changing my password sign me out of everything?
Changing your password will sign you out of your email on other devices, but it will not automatically sign you out of other websites or apps that use your email address to log in. You may need to sign back into those services separately if they ask for your password again.
What if I do not receive the confirmation email after changing my password?
Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes end up there. If it is not there, wait a few more minutes, as email can be delayed. If you still do not see it after 10 minutes, your password has likely been changed anyway, and you can test it by signing out and signing back in.
Can I change my password if I am locked out of my account?
No, but you can reset it using the "Forgot password" option on the login page. This process verifies your identity through your recovery email or phone number, then lets you create a new password without needing to know the old one.
How often should I change my email password?
There is no single rule, but changing it once a year is a reasonable baseline. Change it sooner if you suspect a breach, if you have reused the password elsewhere, or if you have shared it with someone. If you use a password manager, you can use a unique, complex password for each account and change them less frequently.