Open Gmail and go to your account settings

Start by going to gmail.com and signing in if you are not already. Once you are in your inbox, look for your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it — a small menu will drop down with several options.

From that menu, click Manage your Google Account. This takes you to a page that controls everything about your account, not just Gmail. You will see several tabs across the top of the page.

Navigate to the Security tab

Click the Security tab. This is where Google keeps all the settings that protect your account. You may need to scroll down a bit to find the section labeled Password — it usually appears in the upper half of the page.

Next to the word "Password," you will see a button that says Change password. Click that button. Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm it is really you making this change. Type in your current password and click Next.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Gmail password through your Google Account settings, not through Gmail itself.
  • Google requires you to enter your current password before letting you create a new one, as a security check.
  • Your new password should be at least 8 characters long and should not be something you have used before.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of Gmail on all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.

Create your new password

Now you are on the screen where you type your new password. Click in the first box under Create password and type a password you have never used before. Google will show you a strength meter — a colored bar that tells you whether your password is weak, fair, good, or strong.

A strong password is harder for someone else to guess. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. Avoid using your name, birthday, or common words. If you are stuck, try a phrase you will remember — for example, "MyDog8AteMyShoes!" is much stronger than "password123."

Type the same password again in the second box to confirm you typed it correctly. Then click Change password. Google will show you a message saying your password has been changed.

Sign back in on your devices

When you change your Gmail password, Google automatically signs you out of Gmail on every device you use — your phone, tablet, computer, and anywhere else. This is a safety feature. Within a few minutes, you will see a message on each device asking you to sign in again.

On your phone or tablet, open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture. You may see a message saying "Your password was recently changed" or "Sign in again." Tap Sign in, then type your email address and your new password. Do the same on any other device where you use Gmail.

If you have other Google services connected to your account — like Google Drive, YouTube, or Google Photos — you will need to sign back into those as well. They all use the same password.

Update your password in other places

If you use your Gmail password to sign into other websites or apps, you will need to update those too. This includes services that let you "sign in with Google" — like Spotify, Pinterest, or Slack. Those apps will usually ask you to sign in again the next time you open them.

If you have saved your Gmail password in your browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge), your browser may ask if you want to update the saved password. Click Update so you do not have to type it in every time. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, update your Gmail password there too.

What to do if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it before you have signed in on all your devices, do not panic. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on any computer or phone. Type your Gmail address and click Next. Google will ask you to verify who you are — usually by sending a code to a recovery email address or phone number you set up earlier.

Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password right away. This is why it is important to keep your recovery email and phone number up to date in your Google Account settings.

Make your recovery information current

While you are in your Security settings, take a moment to check your recovery options. Scroll down to the section called How we can help you get back in. You should see a recovery email address and a phone number listed.

If either of these is outdated or missing, click on it and update it. A recovery email should be an address you check regularly and that you control — not your work email if you might lose access to it. A recovery phone number should be one you use every day. These two pieces of information are what stand between you and being locked out of your account forever if you forget your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the password change to take effect everywhere?

The change is when ready on Google's servers, but it can take a few minutes for all your devices to notice. You will usually see sign-in prompts within 5 to 15 minutes. If a device does not prompt you after an hour, sign out manually and sign back in with your new password.

Can I change my password on my phone instead of a computer?

Yes. Open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, tap Manage your Google Account, go to the Security tab, and follow the same steps. The process is identical on a phone or tablet.

What if I do not remember my current password to enter on the change screen?

If you are already signed into Gmail, you can change your password without knowing the old one — Google trusts that you are you because you are already logged in. If you are not signed in, go to the recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery instead and verify your identity using your recovery email or phone.

Will changing my password affect my Gmail contacts or emails?

No. Your password protects access to your account, but it does not touch your emails, contacts, or any other data inside Gmail. Everything stays exactly where it is.

How often should I change my Gmail password?

You do not need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. A strong password that only you know is more important than how often you change it.