Change your Gmail password from your computer or phone

Open Gmail and sign in if you are not already logged in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Manage your Google Account. Go to the Security tab at the top. Scroll down to Password and click it. You will be asked to sign in again to confirm it is really you. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click Change Password when you are done.

On a phone, the steps are the same: tap your profile picture, select Manage your Google Account, tap Security, scroll to Password, sign in again, enter your new password twice, and tap Change Password. The process takes about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • You must sign in to your account before you can change your password — Google asks you to prove it is your account by entering your current password first.
  • The password change happens in the Security tab of your Google Account settings, not in Gmail itself.
  • Your new password takes effect when ready across all devices and apps that use Gmail, so you will need to sign in again on any phone or computer where you use Gmail.
  • If you forget your current password before you change it, use the account recovery process instead of trying to change it.

What makes a strong password Google will accept

Google does not require passwords to contain numbers or special characters, but a strong password is harder to guess. Use at least 12 characters. Mix uppercase and lowercase letters. Add numbers or symbols like ! @ # $ % if you want to. Avoid words from the dictionary, your name, your email address, or anything someone who knows you could guess.

Do not reuse a password you have used before, especially not one you used for other websites or accounts. If someone breaks into one website, they will try that same password on Gmail and your other accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into Chrome or Safari can generate and store strong passwords for you.

What happens to your other accounts and devices when you change your password

Changing your Gmail password signs you out of Gmail on all devices and apps except the one you are using right now. You will need to sign in again on your phone, tablet, computer, or any app that connects to Gmail. This includes Gmail on your phone, Gmail on a web browser, Outlook if you added your Gmail account to it, and any other app that reads your Gmail.

You will not be signed out of other Google services like YouTube, Google Drive, or Google Photos on the device you are using — those stay connected because they use the same Google Account. But if you use those services on a different device, you will need to sign in again there too.

If you use Gmail with two-step verification

Two-step verification means Google asks for a code from your phone or security key in addition to your password when you sign in. Changing your password does not turn off two-step verification. You will still need to enter the code when you sign in again on other devices.

If you have set up backup codes or recovery email addresses, those still work the same way. If you lose access to your phone and cannot get the verification code, you can use a backup code or your recovery email to sign in instead.

If you cannot remember your current password

You cannot change your password if you do not know your current one. Instead, use the account recovery process. Go to the Gmail sign-in page and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or tell you that you do not need to enter one. Then Google will send a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Enter that code, and you can set a new password without knowing the old one.

If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, Google has other ways to verify you own the account, such as answering security questions you set up before. The recovery process can take a few minutes to a few hours depending on which verification method works for you.

If you think someone else knows your password

Change your password right away using the steps at the top of this page. After you change it, check your account activity to see if someone signed in without your permission. Click your profile picture, select Manage your Google Account, go to the Security tab, scroll down to Your devices, and click Manage all devices. You will see every device that is signed in to your account and where it is located. If you see a device you do not recognize, click it and select Sign out.

Also check Recent security events in the Security tab to see if Google detected any unusual activity. If you see sign-ins from places you have never been, or at times you were asleep, someone else may have your password. After you change your password and sign out unknown devices, consider turning on two-step verification if you have not already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Gmail password regularly?

No. Google does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you want to for peace of mind. Otherwise, a strong password that you do not reuse is enough.

Will changing my Gmail password change my password for YouTube or Google Drive?

No. YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services all use the same password as your Gmail account because they are all part of your Google Account. When you change your Gmail password, you change the password for all of them at once.

How long does it take for the password change to work on all my devices?

The change takes effect when ready on the device you used to change it. On other devices, you will be signed out the next time Gmail tries to connect to Google's servers, usually within a few minutes. Some apps may take longer to notice you have been signed out.

Can I undo a password change if I made a mistake?

No, but you can change it again. If you typed your new password wrong and cannot remember what you entered, use the account recovery process to set a new password. If you remember the password you just set, you can change it again right away.

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 uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you are sure you are typing it right, use the account recovery process to reset your password again. If you still cannot sign in after that, contact Google Support through your Google Account settings.