You cannot see your YouTube password, but you can reset it in seconds
YouTube does not show you your password once it is set — this is a security feature that protects your account. If you have forgotten it, you do not need to find the old one. Instead, you reset it to something new through Google's account recovery process, which takes about two minutes and works whether you remember your password or not.
The reset happens on Google's website, not YouTube's, because YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in. When you reset your Google password, your YouTube password changes at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube passwords cannot be viewed or recovered — you must reset your password through your Google account instead.
- Go to accounts.google.com, click "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to verify you own the account.
- Google will ask you to enter a code sent to your recovery email or phone number, or to answer a security question you set up earlier.
- After you create a new password, you can sign into YouTube when ready with the new one.
- If you cannot verify your identity through email or phone, Google offers other recovery methods, though they take longer.
Reset your password through Google Accounts
Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com. You do not need to be signed in. Look for the blue "Sign in" button in the top right corner and click it.
On the sign-in page, enter the email address or phone number connected to your YouTube account. Click "Next". On the password screen, click the blue "Forgot password?" link below the password box.
Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you cannot remember any password, type anything and click "Next" — Google will move forward anyway. The system then asks how you want to verify that you own the account.
Verify your identity with email or phone
Google offers two quick verification methods. The first is to send a code to your recovery email address — the backup email you set up on your Google account. The second is to send a code to your recovery phone number. Choose whichever one you have access to.
If you chose email, check the inbox of that email address. Google sends a six-digit code. Enter it on the Google page and click "Next". If you chose phone, you will receive a text message or phone call with a code instead — enter that code the same way.
After you enter the correct code, Google takes you to a page where you create a new password. Type a password you have not used before, type it again to confirm, and click "Change password". You are done — your YouTube password is now reset.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone
If you do not have access to the email address or phone number Google asks for, click "Try another way" at the bottom of the verification screen. Google will offer a second method, usually a security question you answered when you created your account.
Answer the question as accurately as you can. If you get it right, Google lets you reset your password. If you do not remember the answer, click "Try another way" again.
If you exhaust all the quick methods, Google offers account recovery through a form. You fill in details about your account — when you created it, what you remember about your password, devices you have used — and Google reviews your answers. This process takes a few days, and Google will email you when your account is recovered.
Sign into YouTube with your new password
Once you have created a new password, you can use it to sign into YouTube right away. Go to youtube.com, click your profile icon in the top right corner, and click "Sign in". Enter your email address or phone number, click "Next", enter your new password, and click "Next" again.
You are now signed in to YouTube. Your subscriptions, watch history, and playlists are all still there — resetting your password does not delete anything from your account.
Prevent this from happening again
Add a recovery email and phone number to your Google account so you can reset your password faster next time. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, scroll down to "How you sign in to Google", and click "Password". Sign in if prompted. Then click "Recovery email" and "Recovery phone" to add or update them.
You can also turn on two-step verification, which requires a code from your phone every time you sign in from a new device. This makes your account much harder for someone else to access, even if they know your password. In the same Security menu, look for "2-Step Verification" and follow the steps to turn it on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what password I used before?
No. YouTube and Google do not store passwords in a way that lets anyone — including you — see them. This is intentional: it protects your account if someone breaks into Google's computers. You can only create a new password, not recover the old one.
What if I do not remember my email address or phone number?
If you cannot remember the email address connected to your account, you can try signing in with the phone number instead, or vice versa. If you remember neither, use Google's account recovery form at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. It takes longer, but Google can recover your account if you answer questions about it accurately.
Will resetting my password delete my YouTube videos or subscriptions?
No. Resetting your password only changes how you sign in. All your videos, playlists, subscriptions, and watch history stay on your account. You will see everything when you sign in with your new password.
How long does it take to reset my password?
If you have access to your recovery email or phone, the reset takes about two minutes. If you have to use a security question or Google's recovery form, it can take a few minutes to several days depending on which method you use.
Do I need to reset my password on YouTube separately from Google?
No. YouTube uses your Google account to sign you in, so resetting your Google password automatically resets your YouTube password. You only reset it once, in one place.