Where to find the password change option

The password change option lives in your account settings, not in the login screen. Once you are logged in, look for a menu labeled "Settings," "Account," "Profile," or "Security" — the exact name depends on the service. On most websites, this menu appears in the top right corner, often as your name, initials, or a gear icon. Click it and look for "Change Password," "Update Password," or "Security Settings."

On your computer or phone's operating system (Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android), the process is different because you are not logging into a website. Instead, you change the password that unlocks the device itself. On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info > Password. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Password. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Security.

If you cannot find the settings menu, search the service's help center for "change password" or "reset password" — they are different things, and you want "change," not "reset." A reset is what you do when you are locked out and cannot remember your current password.

Key Takeaways

  • Password changes happen in your account settings after you log in, not at the login screen itself.
  • You will need to enter your current password before creating a new one, even if you remember it perfectly.
  • A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid words from the dictionary and personal information.
  • After you change your password, you may be logged out of other devices and will need to sign in again with the new password.
  • If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, use the password reset option, which sends a recovery link to your email or phone.

What information you need before you start

Have your current password ready. Even if you are changing it because you want a stronger one, the service will ask you to type your current password first. This is a security check to make sure someone else did not sit down at your unlocked computer and try to lock you out.

If you do not remember your current password, you cannot use the "change password" option. Instead, use "reset password" or "forgot password," which sends a recovery link to your email address or phone number. That is a different process and is covered in the reset password section of this guide.

Have a new password in mind, or use a password manager to generate one. A password manager is a program like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane that stores your passwords and can create strong ones for you. If you do not use a password manager, write your new password down somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor — before you start, so you do not forget it mid-process.

Step-by-step: changing your password on a website or app

Log in to your account if you are not already logged in. Navigate to Settings or Account, then find the Security or Password section. Click "Change Password" or "Update Password."

Type your current password in the first field. The service needs this to confirm it is really you making the change. Then type your new password in the second field. Most services will show a strength meter — green means strong, yellow or orange means medium, red means weak. Aim for green.

Type your new password again in the confirmation field. This catches typos. If the two entries do not match exactly, the service will not let you proceed. Click "Save," "Update," or "Confirm" to finish. The service will usually show a message saying your password has been changed.

You may be logged out when ready after changing your password. If so, log back in with your new password. Some services log you out of other devices too — your phone, tablet, or other computers — and you will need to sign in again on each one with the new password.

What makes a password strong

A strong password has at least 12 characters. It mixes uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (0, 1, 2), and symbols (!@#$%^&*). Avoid dictionary words, names, birthdates, addresses, or anything someone could guess by knowing you. "MyDog2024!" is weak because it uses a common word and a predictable number. "Tr0pic@lFern#92xK" is strong because it has no pattern and no real words.

If you use the same password on multiple services, change that habit. If one service gets hacked, attackers can use your password to break into all the others. A password manager solves this by letting you use a different strong password everywhere without having to remember them.

Write down your new password somewhere find if you cannot use a password manager. A locked drawer, a safe, or a password-protected document on your computer is acceptable. A sticky note on your monitor is not.

What happens after you change your password

Your old password stops working when ready. If you wrote it down anywhere, cross it out or delete it. If you shared it with anyone, tell them the new password or stop sharing passwords altogether.

You may be logged out of the service on all your devices. Check your phone, tablet, and other computers, and sign in again with your new password. Some services let you see which devices are currently signed in — look for "Active Sessions" or "Devices" in your Security settings. If you see a device you do not recognize, sign out of it.

If you use the same email address to sign into multiple services, changing your password on one service does not change it anywhere else. You have to change each password separately. A password manager makes this easier because it can store different passwords for each service.

If you forget your new password right after changing it

Do not panic. Use the "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password" option on the login screen. The service will send a recovery link to your email address or a code to your phone number. Click the link or enter the code, and you can create a new password. This process takes a few minutes and works even if you just changed your password five minutes ago.

If you cannot access your recovery email or phone number, contact the service's support team. They may ask you security questions or ask you to verify your identity another way before they help you regain access.

Changing your password on your computer or phone

On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info > Password > Change. Type your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Next, then Finish. You will be logged out and will need to sign in again with your new password.

On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Password. Click the lock icon in the bottom left, enter your current password, then click "Change Password." Type your current password again, then type your new password twice. Click "Change Password" to finish.

On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. Enter your device passcode, then type your new password twice. On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Security > Password. Type your current password, then type your new password twice and click "Change Password."

Changing your device password is different from changing passwords for individual apps or websites. Your device password unlocks the computer or phone itself. App and website passwords unlock only those specific services. You may want to change both if you think your device or an account has been compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password regularly?

No. Changing your password only when you think it has been compromised or when a service tells you to is enough. Changing it every 30 days is outdated information. Focus instead on using a strong, unique password and protecting it from being seen or stolen.

What if the service says my new password is too weak?

The service has a minimum strength requirement. Add more characters, mix in uppercase and lowercase letters, add numbers and symbols, or use a password manager to generate a stronger one. The service will tell you what is missing — usually "needs a number" or "needs a symbol."

Can I use the same password on multiple services?

You can, but you should not. If one service is hacked, attackers can use your password to break into all the others. A password manager lets you use a different strong password on every service without having to remember them.

Will changing my password delete my account data?

No. Changing your password only changes how you sign in. Your files, messages, photos, and settings stay exactly where they are. You will just need to use the new password to access them.

What if I change my password but still cannot sign in?

Make sure you are typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword." If you are still locked out, use the "Forgot Password" option to reset it. If that does not work, contact the service's support team.