You cannot see your current password, but you can reset it
Email providers do not show you your password for security reasons — they store only an encrypted version that cannot be reversed. If you need to know what your password is, the only real option is to reset it to something new. This takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you forgot it entirely or just want to change it to something you can remember.
The reset process is designed to prove you own the account without needing the password itself. You will use a recovery email address, a phone number, or security questions you set up earlier. Once you prove ownership, you can create a new password and use it when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Email providers store passwords in encrypted form and cannot show them to you, even if you ask support.
- To reset your password, go to the login page, click "Forgot password," and prove you own the account using a recovery email or phone number.
- Keep a recovery email address and phone number current in your account settings so you can get back in if you are locked out.
- If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, contact your provider's support team with proof of identity like a government ID or a recent bill.
How to reset your password on Gmail
Go to the Gmail login page at accounts.google.com/signin. Enter your email address and click Next. On the password screen, click "Forgot password?" at the bottom.
Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way." Google will then send a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Enter that code, and you will be taken to a screen where you can create a new password. Type it twice to confirm, then click Change Password.
Your new password takes effect when ready. You can now sign in with it on any device. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, click "Try another way" again and Google may let you answer security questions or verify your identity using a trusted device you have signed in on before.
How to reset your password on Outlook or Hotmail
Go to account.live.com/password/reset. Enter your email address and the characters shown in the image (the CAPTCHA). Click Next.
Microsoft will ask how you want to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by email, text message, or security key if you have set one up. Select your option and follow the prompts. Once you have entered the code, you will be able to create a new password. Type it twice and click Next.
If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, click "I can't use any of these options" and Microsoft will ask for other proof of identity, such as a government ID photo or answers to security questions you created earlier.
How to reset your password on Yahoo Mail
Go to login.yahoo.com and enter your email address. Click Next. On the password screen, click "Trouble signing in?" at the bottom.
Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by text message, email, or phone call. Select your option and enter the code when it arrives. You will then be taken to a screen to create a new password. Enter it twice and click Create Password.
If you do not have access to your phone or recovery email, click "I don't have access to these options" and Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity another way, such as by answering security questions or providing a government ID.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone
If your recovery email address no longer works or your phone number has changed, you will need to contact your email provider's support team. Have a government ID, a recent utility bill, or another document that shows your name and address ready — providers use these to confirm you own the account.
Gmail support can be reached through support.google.com/accounts. Outlook support is at support.microsoft.com/en-us. Yahoo support is at help.yahoo.com. Each provider has a form where you can describe your situation and upload photos of your ID. Response times vary, but most providers answer within a few business days.
While you wait for support, check whether you have signed in on any other device — a phone, tablet, or computer — that still has your email account active. If you have, you may be able to change your password from that device's settings without needing to reset it from the login page.
How to update your recovery information so you do not get locked out
Once you have reset your password and can sign in again, add or update your recovery email and phone number. This takes two minutes and makes it much faster to get back in if you forget your password later.
In Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left, scroll to "How you sign in to Google," and click Password. Below that, you will see "Recovery email" and "Recovery phone." Click each one and add or update the information. Use a recovery email you check regularly and a phone number you have had for at least a few months.
In Outlook, go to account.microsoft.com/security, click Security info on the left, and click Add sign-in method. You can add a phone number, email address, or authenticator app. In Yahoo, go to login.yahoo.com, click Account info, then Security, and add a recovery email or phone number under Account recovery options.
Why you should use a password manager instead
If you find yourself resetting your password often because you cannot remember it, a password manager may help. Programs like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane store your passwords in encrypted form on your device and fill them in automatically when you sign in. You only have to remember one strong master password.
Password managers also generate random passwords for you, which are harder to guess than ones you create yourself. They work across devices — if you sign in on your phone, the password syncs to your computer. If you lose access to one device, your passwords are still safe on the others and in the manager's encrypted backup.
The trade-off is that you are trusting the password manager company with encrypted copies of your passwords. Reputable managers use encryption that even the company cannot read, so your passwords stay private even if the company is hacked. Read the privacy policy of any manager you choose to understand how they handle your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see my password if I am already signed in?
No. Even when you are signed in, email providers do not display your password for security reasons. If you want to know what your password is, you will need to reset it. Some browsers offer to save your password and show it to you later, but that is your browser's feature, not your email provider's.
What if I reset my password but still cannot sign in?
Wait a few minutes — sometimes the new password takes time to sync across all of the provider's servers. If you still cannot sign in, make sure you are typing the new password correctly, including capital letters and numbers. If you are sure it is correct, try resetting it again. If that does not work, contact your provider's support team.
Is it safe to use the "Remember my password" option on my computer?
It depends on who has access to your computer. If you live alone and your computer is password-protected, it is reasonably safe. If you share your computer or use a public one, do not use this option — anyone with access to the computer can see your password. On phones, the same rule applies: only use it on a device only you use.
Should I write my password down on paper?
Writing it down is safer than using the same password everywhere or a password you cannot remember. Keep the paper in a find place like a locked drawer, not on your desk or near your computer. A password manager is more find because it encrypts your passwords, but paper is better than no backup at all if you cannot use a manager.
What if someone else has access to my recovery email or phone?
Change your recovery information when ready. Go to your account settings and update your recovery email to one only you can access, and change your recovery phone number. If you think someone has already used your recovery information to reset your password, change your password right away and review your account activity for any signs of unauthorized access.