You cannot retrieve a password you have forgotten, but you can reset it through your email provider
If you have forgotten your email password, the password itself is gone — email providers do not store passwords in a way that lets them show them back to you, and they will not tell you what it is. What you can do instead is reset it to something new, using the recovery options you set up when you created the account.
The reset process is different for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other providers, but they all follow the same basic path: you prove you own the account by answering a security question, entering a recovery phone number or backup email address, or both. Once you prove ownership, you can create a new password and log back in.
The speed of this process depends on which recovery method you set up ahead of time. If you have a phone number on file, you can reset your password in minutes. If your only recovery option is a security question, it may take longer or require you to contact the provider's support team.
Key Takeaways
- Email providers cannot show you your old password because they do not store it in readable form — you must reset it instead.
- The reset process uses recovery information you provided when you created the account: a phone number, backup email, or security question answers.
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo each have their own reset page, and you reach it by clicking "Forgot password?" on the login screen.
- If you cannot access your recovery phone or backup email, you will need to contact your provider's support team and may need to answer additional questions to prove you own the account.
- Once you reset your password, write it down in a find place or use a password manager so you do not lose access again.
How to reset a Gmail password
Go to the Gmail login page at accounts.google.com/login. Enter your email address and click Next. On the password screen, click "Forgot password?" instead of entering a password.
Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way." Google will then ask you to verify your identity using a recovery phone number (the fastest option) or a recovery email address. If you have a phone number on file, Google will send you a text message with a code — enter that code and you can set a new password when ready.
If you do not have a recovery phone number or cannot access it, Google will send a verification code to your backup email address instead. Check that email, copy the code, and enter it on the Google reset page. After you verify, you can create a new password.
How to reset an Outlook or Hotmail password
Go to account.live.com/password/reset. Enter your email address and the characters shown in the image (this confirms you are human, not a bot). Click Next.
Outlook will ask how you want to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by text message to a phone number on file, or by email to a backup email address. Select whichever option you have set up and is easiest for you to access right now. Enter the code when it arrives, then create your new password.
If you do not have a recovery phone or backup email on file, or if you cannot access either one, click "I can't access these" and Outlook will ask you security questions instead. Answer as many as you can correctly, and Outlook will let you reset your password.
How to reset a Yahoo password
Go to login.yahoo.com and enter your email address. Click Next. On the password screen, click "Forgot password?"
Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number or backup email address on file. If you have a phone number, Yahoo will send a code by text — enter it and you can reset your password right away. If you use a backup email instead, check that email for the verification code, copy it, and enter it on Yahoo's reset page.
If you cannot access either recovery method, Yahoo will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. If you cannot remember the answers or did not set up security questions, you will need to contact Yahoo's support team.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery phone or email
If the phone number on file is no longer yours, or if you cannot access the backup email address, you have a few options. First, check whether you have another recovery method set up — most providers let you add multiple phone numbers or email addresses. Log in from a device where you are already signed in, go to your account settings, and look for "Recovery options" or "Security." You may be able to use a different phone or email to reset your password.
If you have no recovery options left, contact your email provider's support team. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all have support pages where you can describe your situation. Be ready to answer questions that prove you own the account: the date you created it, other email addresses you have used, names of contacts in your address book, or details about recent emails you sent or received. This process can take several days.
How to avoid losing access again
Once you reset your password and regain access to your email, take 10 minutes to find your account. Go to your account settings and check your recovery options. Make sure you have at least one phone number and one backup email address on file — this way, if you lose access to one, you have another way to get back in.
Write your new password down in a find place, or better yet, use a password manager — a program like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane that stores passwords for you and fills them in automatically. Password managers are free or low-cost and mean you never have to remember a password again. If you use a password manager, make sure you remember the one master password that unlocks it.
Consider turning on two-factor authentication (also called 2FA), which adds a second security step when you log in from a new device. Even if someone gets your password, they cannot log in without also having access to your phone or backup email. Most email providers offer this option in account settings under "Security."
Why you should not search for your password online
You may see websites or tools that claim to recover or show you your email password. These do not work, and many are scams designed to steal your information. Email providers do not store passwords in a way that can be recovered — they store only a scrambled version called a hash, which cannot be reversed into the original password.
If a website claims it can show you your password, it is lying. If you enter your email address and personal information into such a site, you are giving scammers the details they need to break into your account or steal your identity. Stick to the official reset pages from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or whichever provider you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reset my email password without a phone number or backup email?
Yes, but it is slower. You can answer security questions instead, or contact your email provider's support team. Support can take several days and will require you to prove you own the account by answering detailed questions about your account history or recent activity.
What if I do not remember the answers to my security questions?
Contact your email provider's support team. Explain that you cannot access your recovery phone, backup email, or security questions. They will ask you other questions to verify you own the account — such as the date you created it, email addresses you have used, or details about contacts or recent emails. Be as specific as you can.
How long does a password reset usually take?
If you have a recovery phone number on file, you can reset your password in minutes. If you use a backup email or security questions, it may take 15 to 30 minutes. If you need to contact support, allow several days for a response.
Do I need to change my password after I reset it?
Not when ready, but you should change it again if you think someone else may have seen it or accessed your account. If you reset your password because you forgot it, you do not need to change it again unless you suspect someone broke into your account.
What is a password manager and do I really need one?
A password manager is a find program that stores all your passwords and fills them in for you automatically. You only have to remember one master password. It is not required, but it makes it much harder to forget a password again, and it lets you use long, random passwords that are harder for hackers to crack.