Change your password from your account settings

Open PayPal in your web browser and sign in with your current email and password. Once you are logged in, look for the gear icon in the top right corner of the page — this is your settings menu. Click it and select Account settings from the dropdown.

On the Account settings page, find the Security section on the left side. Click Change password. PayPal will ask you to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Make sure the new password is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — PayPal will tell you if your password is too weak.

Click Change password at the bottom of the form. PayPal will send you a confirmation email to the address on your account. You do not need to click anything in that email — it is just proof that the change went through. Your new password takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password anytime by going to Account settings, clicking Security, and selecting Change password.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • PayPal sends a confirmation email when you change your password, but you do not need to take any action on it.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page instead of trying to change it from settings.
  • After you change your password, you will stay signed in on that device, but other devices will ask you to sign in again the next time you use them.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from the settings page — PayPal requires you to enter the old one first. Instead, go to the PayPal login page and click Forgot password? below the password field.

PayPal will ask you to enter the email address on your account. You will then receive an email with a link to reset your password. Click that link and create a new password using the same rules as above — at least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Once you submit the new password, you can sign in with it right away.

Why PayPal requires a strong password

A strong password protects your account from people trying to guess their way in. Weak passwords like "password123" or "paypal2024" are straightforward for attackers to crack because they follow common patterns. A password with random combinations of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols takes far longer to break.

PayPal also checks whether your password has appeared in past data breaches — if it has, the system will reject it even if it meets the length and character requirements. This means you cannot reuse a password that was exposed in a breach somewhere else on the internet, which protects you even if another website you use was hacked.

What happens after you change your password

On the device where you changed your password, you will stay signed in and will not need to enter your new password again until your session expires or you manually sign out. On other devices — your phone, tablet, or a different computer — you will be signed out automatically. The next time you try to use PayPal on those devices, you will need to sign in with your new password.

If you use PayPal on many devices, you may want to sign out of all of them and sign back in with your new password. This ensures that only you have access from those devices. To do this, go back to Account settings, click Security, and look for Active sessions or Where you are logged in. You can sign out of any session from that page.

Changing your password if your account was compromised

If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready using the steps above. After you change it, go to your Account settings and check the Security section for any unusual activity. Look at your recent transactions and the email address and phone number on file — if either has been changed, update them back to your information.

PayPal also lets you set up two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection. With two-factor on, anyone trying to sign in from a new device will need to enter a code from your phone or email, even if they have your password. You can turn this on in the Security section of your Account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my PayPal password?

You do not need to change it on a fixed schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you reused it on another website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in several years. Two-factor authentication is more important than frequent password changes — it stops attackers even if they have your password.

Can I use the same password I use for other accounts?

You should not. If one website is hacked and your password is exposed, attackers will try that same password on PayPal and your other accounts. Use a unique password for PayPal and for any other account that holds money or sensitive information. A password manager can help you remember different passwords for different sites.

What if I change my password and then cannot sign in?

Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password123" is different from "password123". If you are still locked out, click Forgot password? on the login page and reset it again. If that does not work, contact PayPal support through your account or call the number on the back of your PayPal debit card.

Will changing my password affect my saved payment methods?

No. Your credit cards, bank accounts, and other payment methods stay saved to your account. Changing your password only changes how you sign in — it does not touch the payment information you have stored.

Can I see a history of when my password was changed?

PayPal does not show a public history of password changes in your account settings. However, you can see when your account was accessed and from where by checking your login activity in the Security section. If you see a sign-in you do not recognize, change your password and contact PayPal support.