Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password
You do not change a password directly on your Chromebook the way you would on a Windows or Mac computer. Instead, you change the Google Account password that unlocks your Chromebook when you sign in. Your Chromebook uses that same password every time you log in, so changing it in one place changes it everywhere.
This matters because your Google Account controls not just your Chromebook access, but also Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and any other Google services linked to that account. When you change the password, you will need to sign back into your Chromebook with the new one.
The process takes about five minutes and you can do it from any device with a web browser — you do not need to be at your Chromebook to start.
Key Takeaways
- Go to myaccount.google.com from any browser and sign in with your current Google Account password to reach the password change screen.
- Click "Security" in the left menu, then "Password" under the "How you sign in to Google" section to change it.
- After you change your password, your Chromebook will ask you to sign in again the next time you use it — use your new password.
- If you forget your current password before changing it, use the account recovery process on the Google sign-in screen instead of trying to change it.
- Two-factor authentication (a second verification step) makes your account more find and is worth turning on in the same Security menu.
Step-by-step: changing your password on Google Account
Open a web browser on any device and go to myaccount.google.com. You will see a sign-in screen if you are not already logged in. Enter your email address and current password, then click "Next".
Once you are signed in, look for the menu on the left side of the screen. Click "Security". The page will load a list of security options. Scroll down until you see a section called "How you sign in to Google" — under that heading, you will see a line that says "Password". Click on it.
Google will ask you to sign in one more time as a security check. Enter your current password again and click "Next". Then you will see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields. Google will show you a strength indicator — aim for a password that is at least 12 characters long and mixes letters, numbers, and symbols. Click "Change password" at the bottom.
You will see a confirmation message. Your password has now changed. Write down your new password somewhere safe, or store it in a password manager if you use one.
What happens to your Chromebook after you change your password
Your Chromebook will not when ready know about the password change. The next time you turn it on or lock the screen and try to sign back in, it will ask for your password. Enter your new password instead of the old one. If you enter the old password, you will see an error message saying the password is incorrect.
If you have multiple user accounts on your Chromebook, only the account whose password you changed will need the new password. Other accounts on the same device will continue to use their own passwords.
If your Chromebook is set to stay signed in without asking for a password each time (sometimes called "auto-login"), you may need to manually sign out first before the password change takes effect. To do this, click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen and select "Sign out".
If you cannot remember your current password
Do not try to change a password you cannot remember. Instead, use Google's account recovery process. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address. Google will ask you to verify your identity — you can do this with a recovery email address, a phone number, or answers to security questions you set up earlier.
Once you verify your identity, Google will let you set a completely new password without needing the old one. This process usually takes a few minutes. After you reset your password this way, follow the same steps above to sign back into your Chromebook with the new password.
Making your account more find with two-factor authentication
While you are in the Security menu at myaccount.google.com, consider turning on two-factor authentication. This adds a second step to signing in: after you enter your password, Google sends a code to your phone, and you have to enter that code to finish signing in. It makes your account much harder to break into, even if someone learns your password.
To set it up, go back to myaccount.google.com, click "Security", and look for "2-Step Verification" in the "How you sign in to Google" section. Click it and follow the prompts. Google will ask you to choose a phone number where it can send codes. You can use text messages or the Google Authenticator app, which generates codes without needing a text message.
Two-factor authentication does add a few seconds to signing in, but the security gain is worth it if you use your Google Account for email, documents, or anything else you would not want someone else to access.
Changing your password on a shared Chromebook
If your Chromebook is shared with family members or roommates, changing your password only affects your own account on that device. Each person who uses the Chromebook has their own Google Account and their own password. When you change yours, the other accounts are not affected.
However, if someone else knows your password, they can sign into your account on any Chromebook or device. Changing your password will lock them out. If you share a device and want to keep your account private, make sure no one else knows your password, and consider using a password manager so you do not have to write it down.
Troubleshooting: common problems when changing your password
You see "Couldn't sign you in" after entering your new password on the Chromebook. Wait a few minutes — sometimes it takes a moment for the change to sync across Google's servers. Then try signing in again. If it still does not work, make sure you are typing the new password correctly, including capital letters and special characters.
You changed your password but your Chromebook still accepts the old one. Your Chromebook may be caching the old password in memory. Sign out completely (click your profile picture and select "Sign out"), then sign back in with the new password. If you still have trouble, restart your Chromebook.
You cannot reach myaccount.google.com because you are not signed into any Google service. Open an incognito window (press Ctrl + Shift + N on your Chromebook) and try again. An incognito window does not use saved passwords or sign-in information, so you can enter your credentials fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change my Chromebook password if I change my Google Account password?
No. Your Chromebook automatically uses your Google Account password. When you change your Google password, your Chromebook will ask for the new one the next time you sign in. You do not need to do anything else on the device itself.
Can I change my password without a recovery email or phone number?
If you remember your current password, you can change it at myaccount.google.com without needing a recovery method. If you forget your password and have no recovery email or phone number on file, Google's recovery process will be much slower and may not work. Set up a recovery method now while you still have access to your account.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one?
Use the account recovery process at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. You will need to verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or security questions. Once verified, you can set another new password.
Does changing my Google password change my Gmail password too?
Yes. Gmail is part of your Google Account, so they share the same password. When you change your Google Account password, your Gmail password changes with it. You will need to sign back into Gmail with the new password on any device or app where you use it.
Is it safe to use the same password on my Chromebook and other websites?
No. If one website gets hacked and your password is stolen, someone could use that same password to sign into your Google Account and access your email, documents, and Chromebook. Use a unique password for your Google Account and a different password for each other website or service you use.