The basic steps to get into your email
To access your email, go to your email provider's login page in a web browser or open the email app on your phone or computer. Enter your email address and password, then click the login button. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you will need to enter a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app before you can proceed.
The login page depends on which email service you use. Gmail's login is at mail.google.com, Outlook's is at outlook.com, and Yahoo Mail's is at mail.yahoo.com. If you use email through your workplace or school, your login page is usually at a custom web address your organization provides.
If you are using an email app on your phone or computer instead of a web browser, you will need to enter your email address and password once during setup. After that, the app will stay logged in and show your messages automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Visit your email provider's login page in a web browser or open the email app on your device and enter your email address and password.
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo each have their own login page; workplace and school email use custom addresses your organization provides.
- If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter a verification code after your password.
- Resetting a forgotten password requires access to a recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created the account.
What to do if you forgot your password
Click the "Forgot password?" or "Can't access your account?" link on the login page. You will be asked to enter your email address, and the service will send a password reset link to your recovery email address or a code to your recovery phone number. Open that email or text message and follow the link or enter the code to create a new password.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, the process becomes harder. Most providers will ask you security questions you answered when you created the account, or they may ask you to verify your identity another way. Keep your recovery email and phone number current so you can always regain access if you forget your password.
Accessing email on your phone or computer
You can read email in a web browser on any device by visiting your provider's login page. You can also set up an email app so your messages download automatically. Popular email apps include Gmail (for Gmail accounts), Outlook (for Outlook and other accounts), Apple Mail (on iPhones and Macs), and Thunderbird (on Windows and Mac computers).
To set up an email app, open it and select "Add account." Enter your email address and password. The app will usually find your email provider's settings automatically. If it does not, you may need to enter the server address and port number, which your email provider's help page will list.
Two-factor authentication and security codes
Two-factor authentication adds a second step to login: after you enter your password, you must also enter a code. This code comes either as a text message to your phone, through an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator, or through a security key you plug into your computer.
If you lose access to the phone or app that generates your codes, you can usually use backup codes that your email provider gave you when you turned on two-factor authentication. Store these codes somewhere safe. If you have lost both your codes and your phone, contact your email provider's support team to regain access to your account.
Recovering a hacked or locked account
If you suspect someone else has accessed your account, change your password immediately. Go to your account settings and look for a section called "Security" or "Account security." You can usually see a list of devices and locations that have recently accessed your email. Remove any devices you do not recognize.
If you are locked out of your account and cannot reset your password, contact your email provider's support team. Have your recovery email address and phone number ready. They may ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing other proof that you own the account.
Setting up a recovery email and phone number
A recovery email address and phone number are your backup way to get back into your account if you forget your password or get locked out. Go to your account settings and find the section for "Recovery options," "Security," or "Account recovery." Add a recovery email address (different from your main email) and a phone number where you can receive text messages.
Update these details if your phone number changes or if you no longer use the recovery email address. The more current your recovery information is, the faster you can regain access if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access my email on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can log into your email account on as many devices as you want. Each device will show your messages, and changes you make on one device (like deleting or reading an email) will show up on the others.
What if I do not remember which email provider I use?
Check any emails you have received from that provider—they usually come from an address like noreply@gmail.com or noreply@outlook.com. You can also try logging in at gmail.com, outlook.com, or yahoo.com with your email address; the provider will tell you if that account does not exist there.
Is it safe to save my password in my web browser?
Saving your password in your browser is convenient but less secure, especially on a shared computer. If you are the only person who uses your device, it is reasonably safe. On a shared computer, do not save your password.
How do I log out of my email on a shared computer?
Look for a menu or settings icon (usually in the top right corner) and select "Sign out" or "Log out." This removes your email from that browser. If you used the browser's password save feature, clear your browser history and cached passwords after you log out.
Can I change my email address?
Most providers do not let you change your email address itself. Instead, you can create a new email account and forward messages from your old address to the new one, or set up an alias (an alternate address that sends and receives from the same account). Check your provider's settings for forwarding or alias options.