The basic steps to change your password

To change your email password, you log into your email account, find the security or account settings section, and follow the prompts to create a new password. The exact steps depend on which email provider you use — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another service — but the general process is the same across all of them.

You will need to verify your identity before the system lets you change your password. This usually means entering your current password, or answering a security question, or confirming a code sent to your phone or a backup email address. This verification step protects your account: it makes sure that only you can change the password, even if someone else somehow gets into your email.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password by logging in, going to account or security settings, and following the password change option — the location varies by email provider.
  • You will need to verify your identity by entering your current password, answering a security question, or confirming a code sent to your phone.
  • A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you cannot log in because you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from inside your account.

Steps for Gmail

Open Gmail and log in if you are not already logged in. In the top right corner, click your profile picture or initial, then click "Manage your Google Account." Click the "Security" tab at the top.

Scroll down to find "Password" in the left menu. Click it. Google will ask you to enter your current password to verify it is really you. Type it in and click "Next." Now you can type your new password twice — once to create it, and once to confirm it matches. Click "Change password" when you are done.

Steps for Outlook or Hotmail

Go to account.microsoft.com and log in. Click "Security" in the left menu, then click "Change password." Outlook will ask for your current password. Enter it and click "Next."

Now type your new password and confirm it by typing it again. Click "Next," and Outlook will show you a confirmation message. You may be asked to sign in again on your devices after you change your password — this is normal and expected.

Steps for Yahoo Mail

Go to login.yahoo.com and log in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click "Account info." Click "Security" in the left menu.

Find "Password" and click "Change password." Yahoo will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and click "Verify." Now create your new password, type it again to confirm, and click "Change password."

What makes a strong password

A strong password is hard for someone else to guess, even if they know you. Use at least 12 characters. Mix uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (0, 1, 2), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid using your name, birthdate, or words from the dictionary.

Do not reuse a password you have used for another account. If someone breaks into one account and finds your password, they can try it on your email, your bank, your social media, and everywhere else. A unique password for your email means that breach somewhere else does not put your email at risk.

If you forgot your password and cannot log in

If you cannot remember your password and cannot log in, do not try to change it from inside your account — you cannot get inside without the password. Instead, go to your email provider's login page and look for a link that says "Forgot password?" or "Can't sign in?"

Click that link. The system will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, a backup email address, or security questions you set up earlier. Once you verify who you are, you can create a new password. This process usually takes a few minutes.

What to do after you change your password

After you change your password, you may need to sign in again on your phone, tablet, or computer. Some devices will ask for the new password the next time you open your email app. Others will keep working until you manually sign out and sign back in.

If you use your email password to sign into other services — like social media, banking apps, or shopping sites — do not use the same password for those accounts. Each account should have its own unique password. If you wrote your old password down anywhere, cross it out or delete it so no one finds it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my email password?

Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that got hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You do not need to change it every month if your account is find and you use a strong password.

Can I change my password on my phone?

Yes. Open your email app, go to settings or account information, and look for the password or security option. The steps are similar to using a computer, though the buttons and menus may be in slightly different places depending on your phone and email provider.

What if I change my password and my phone stops getting email?

Your phone is probably still trying to use your old password. Go into your email app's settings, find the account, and update the password to your new one. You may need to remove the account and add it again if the app does not let you edit the password directly.

Is it safe to change my password on public WiFi?

It is safer to change your password on your home WiFi or mobile data, but it is not dangerous on public WiFi if you are using the official Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo website — these use encryption that protects your password as you type it. Avoid changing passwords on public WiFi if you are using an email app on your phone.