The basic steps for changing your password

The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, but the general path is the same: log in to your account, find the security or password settings, enter your current password, type your new password twice, and confirm the change. Most providers send you a confirmation email after the change goes through. You should be able to log out and log back in with your new password within a few minutes.

The reason to change your password is straightforward — if you think someone else knows it, or if you have used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was breached, changing it cuts off unauthorized access. You do not need to wait for a problem to occur; changing your password every few months is a reasonable precaution.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other major providers all let you change your password through their account settings or security page, which you reach by logging in first.
  • Your new password should be at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make it harder to guess.
  • After you change your password, you will be logged out of most or all of your devices and will need to log back in with the new password.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from within your account.

Gmail password change

Go to myaccount.google.com and log in. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down to the section labeled How you sign in to Google and click Password. Enter your current password when prompted, then type your new password twice. Click Change Password at the bottom.

Google will ask you to sign back in on your other devices. You can do this right away or wait until the next time you open Gmail on your phone or computer. If you use Gmail on multiple devices, you may see a notification on each one asking you to re-enter your password.

Outlook and Microsoft account password change

Go to account.microsoft.com and log in. Click Security at the top, then click Change your password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Next, then Finish.

Microsoft will log you out of Outlook on the web immediately. On your phone or computer, Outlook may ask you to re-enter your password the next time you open it. If you use Outlook on multiple devices, you will need to update the password on each one.

Yahoo password change

Go to login.yahoo.com and log in. Click your account icon in the top right corner, then click Account info. Click Security and privacy on the left side. Under Change your password, click Edit. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Finish.

Yahoo will log you out after the change. You will need to log back in on any device where you use Yahoo Mail or Yahoo services.

What to do if you forgot your current password

Do not try to change your password from inside your account if you cannot remember the current one. Instead, go to the login page for your email provider and click Forgot password or Can't sign in. You will be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering a recovery email address or phone number, or by answering a security question you set up earlier.

After you verify your identity, the provider will let you set a new password without needing the old one. This process takes a few minutes and is the correct way to regain access if you are locked out. Once you have set a new password, you can log in normally.

Making your new password strong

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your birth date, or anything that appears in your email address or public social media. Do not reuse a password you have used on other sites.

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 when you log in. Password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane handle the work of creating and remembering strong passwords.

What happens after you change your password

You will be logged out of your email on most or all of your devices. This is intentional — it forces anyone who may have had access with your old password to log out as well. The next time you open your email on your phone, tablet, or computer, you will see a login screen asking for your new password.

Some devices may take longer to prompt you than others. If you do not see a login screen within a few hours, you can manually log out and log back in to speed up the process. On Gmail, you can also go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Your devices, and click Manage all devices to see where you are logged in and force a logout if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my emails?

No. Changing your password does not affect your emails, contacts, calendar, or any other data in your account. It only changes how you log in. All your messages and files remain exactly as they were.

How often should I change my password?

There is no single rule. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used it on a site that was breached, or if you have not changed it in several months. Some people change their password every three months as a routine precaution. Others change it only when they have a reason to suspect compromise.

What if I cannot log into my email to change the password?

Use the "Forgot password" link on the login page. You will verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number, and then you can set a new password without needing the old one. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, contact your provider's support team — they can help you regain access to your account.

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

No, but your phone will ask you to enter the new password the next time you open your email app. You only need to change the password once, in your account settings. All your devices will then prompt you to log in again with the new password.

Is it safe to write down my new password?

Writing down a password and storing it in a secure place — like a locked drawer at home — is safer than reusing the same password across multiple sites or using a password you can easily guess. A password manager is even better because it encrypts your passwords and you only need to remember one master password.