You cannot see your current Gmail password, but you can change it anytime

Gmail does not show you your password for security reasons — not even you can view it once you set it. If you need to confirm you are using the right password, the only way is to try signing in. If you cannot remember your password, you will need to reset it instead of retrieving it.

The steps to change your password take about five minutes and work whether you remember the old one or not. You will need access to the recovery email address or phone number linked to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail passwords cannot be viewed or recovered — you can only change them through your account settings.
  • To change your password, sign in to myaccount.google.com, go to Security, and select "Password" to create a new one.
  • You will need to enter your current password before Gmail lets you set a new one, unless you are already locked out.
  • If you cannot remember your password at all, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Gmail sign-in page to reset it using your recovery email or phone.
  • After you change your password, you may be signed out of Gmail on other devices and will need to sign in again with the new password.

How to change your password when you remember it

Go to myaccount.google.com in your browser and sign in with your Gmail address and current password. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down until you see Password and click it.

Gmail will ask you to enter your current password again for confirmation. Type it in and click Next. Then enter your new password twice — once in each box — and click Change Password. You will see a confirmation message that says your password has been updated.

After you change your password, Gmail will sign you out of the account on most other devices and browsers. You will need to sign in again using your new password on your phone, tablet, or computer. This is normal and is a security feature.

How to reset your password if you forgot it

Go to the Gmail sign-in page at gmail.com and click Forgot password? below the password box. Enter the last password you remember, or click Try another way if you cannot remember any recent password.

Google will ask you to enter a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account. If you set up a recovery email when you created your Gmail account, enter that email address. If you set up a phone number, Google can send you a code by text message instead. Enter whichever one you have access to.

Google will send a code to your recovery email or phone. Check that email inbox or your text messages and enter the code on the password reset page. Then create a new password, enter it twice, and click Change Password. You can now sign in to Gmail with your new password.

What to do if you do not have access to your recovery email or phone

If you cannot access the recovery email address or phone number linked to your account, Google has a form called the Account Recovery form that you can fill out instead. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and answer questions about your account, such as when you created it, what devices you use, and recent emails you remember sending or receiving.

Google uses your answers to verify that you own the account. This process can take a few days, and Google will email you at the recovery address on file or contact you by phone if they need more information. Be as detailed as possible in your answers — the more you can prove you own the account, the faster Google can help you regain access.

Passwords you should use and avoid

A strong Gmail password is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $. An example of a strong password is BlueMoon#2024Spring or Coffee$Sunrise92!. Avoid passwords that are straightforward words, your name, your birthday, or sequences like 123456 or abcdef.

Do not use the same password for Gmail that you use for other accounts like your bank, social media, or work email. If one account is hacked, a thief could use the same password to break into your other accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store different strong passwords for each account so you only have to remember one master password.

Why Gmail signs you out after you change your password

When you change your Gmail password, Google automatically signs you out on all devices except the one you are currently using. This happens because your old password no longer works, so any device still using the old password cannot stay connected. You will see a notification on those devices asking you to sign in again with your new password.

This is a security feature. If someone else had access to one of your devices or knew your old password, signing you out everywhere prevents them from using that old password to get into your account. You stay signed in on the device where you changed the password because you just proved you own the account by entering your old password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see what my current Gmail password is?

No. Gmail does not display passwords for security reasons, even to the account owner. If you need to know your password, you will have to change it. The only way to confirm you are using the correct password is to try signing in.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

Use the "Forgot password?" link on the Gmail sign-in page again. Google will send a code to your recovery email or phone, and you can create another new password. You can change your password as many times as you need to.

Will changing my password affect my Gmail on my phone?

Yes. After you change your password, Gmail will sign you out on your phone and ask you to sign in again with the new password. This usually happens within a few minutes. If it does not happen automatically, open the Gmail app and try signing in with your new password.

Do I need to change my password regularly?

You do not need to change your password on a schedule if it is strong and unique. Change it only if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on another website that was hacked, or if Google notifies you of suspicious activity on your account.