The fastest way to change your AOL password

Go to the AOL Account Security page at account.aol.com, sign in with your current email and password, then click "Change password" under the Security section. You will be asked to enter your current password once more, then type your new password twice. AOL will confirm the change when ready, and you can start using the new password right away on any device.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need to sign out of AOL on your other devices — the password change takes effect the next time you try to sign in anywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your AOL password through account.aol.com, not through the AOL Mail app or website itself.
  • AOL will ask you to verify your current password before letting you set a new one, so you need to remember it.
  • A strong new password should be at least 8 characters long and mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the AOL sign-in page instead of trying to change it.

What makes a password strong enough to keep

A strong AOL password is one that would take a long time for someone else to guess or crack. That means at least 8 characters — longer is better — and a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. "Password123" is weak because it follows a common pattern. "Tr0pic@lSunset42" is stronger because it mixes character types and does not spell out a dictionary word.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or anything someone could find on your social media. Do not reuse a password you use for your bank, email, or other important accounts. If you have used the same password for AOL and other sites, change them all — if one site gets breached, attackers will try that password everywhere.

Changing your password on a phone or tablet

The steps are the same on a phone as on a computer. Open a web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox), go to account.aol.com, and sign in. Tap or click "Change password" under Security. Enter your current password, then your new password twice, and confirm.

Do not try to change your password through the AOL Mail app — the app does not have a password-change feature. You must use the website. If you are already signed into the AOL Mail app on your phone, you can stay signed in; the app will not force you out when you change your password.

If you see an error message during the change

The most common error is "Password does not meet requirements." AOL requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Some passwords also need a symbol. If your new password is rejected, try adding a number or a symbol like ! or # and try again.

If you see "Current password is incorrect," you may have mistyped your existing password. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive — "Password" is not the same as "password." Try again, paying close attention to capital letters. If you have tried three times and still cannot get in, use the "Forgot password" link on the AOL sign-in page to reset instead.

What happens after you change your password

AOL sends a confirmation email to your account within a few minutes. Check your inbox to make sure the change went through. If you do not see a confirmation email, the change may not have saved — go back to account.aol.com and try again.

You will need to sign in again the next time you use AOL Mail on a web browser or check your email on a phone. If you use AOL Mail through an email client like Outlook or Apple Mail, you may need to update your password there too. Some email clients will prompt you automatically; others will show an error until you manually update the password in the app's settings.

Changing your password if you think someone else has access

If you suspect someone has been reading your emails or using your account, change your password right away, even if you are not sure. Use a password you have never used before and do not use anywhere else. Then go through your account security settings to check what devices are signed in — you can see this under "Connected apps and devices" on the Account Security page.

If you see a device or location you do not recognize, click it and select "Remove" to sign that device out. You should also turn on two-step verification if you have not already — this adds a second layer of protection by requiring a code from your phone when you sign in from a new device. Two-step verification is in the same Security section where you changed your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password if I just want to update my recovery email or phone number?

No. You can update your recovery email and phone number separately in the Account Security section without changing your password. These are used to help you get back into your account if you forget your password, so keeping them current is important.

What if I changed my password but I am still locked out of my account?

If you changed your password successfully but cannot sign in, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try signing in again in a private or incognito window. If that does not work, use the "Forgot password" link on the AOL sign-in page and follow the recovery steps. You may be asked to verify your identity through a recovery email or phone number.

Can I change my AOL password from the AOL Mail app?

No. The AOL Mail app does not have a password-change feature. You must use a web browser and go to account.aol.com. Once you change your password on the website, the app will ask for your new password the next time you open it.

How often should I change my AOL password?

You do not need to change your password on a schedule unless your company or organization requires it. Change it if you think someone has access to your account, if you used the same password on another site that was breached, or if you have not changed it in several years.