You cannot see your password once it's set, but you can reset it

Email providers do not show you your password for security reasons — they store only an encrypted version that cannot be reversed. If you need to know your password, the only real option is to reset it to something new. Most email services let you do this in under five minutes from the login screen, without needing to remember the old one.

If you are locked out of your email and cannot reset it yourself, you will need to prove your identity using a recovery phone number, recovery email address, or security questions you set up earlier. This is why setting up recovery options when you first create an account matters — it is the only way back in if you forget everything.

Key Takeaways

  • Email passwords cannot be viewed or recovered because providers store only encrypted versions — you must reset to a new password instead.
  • To reset your password, go to the login page, click "Forgot password," and follow the recovery steps using a phone number or backup email you provided earlier.
  • If you do not have access to your recovery phone or email, you will need to answer security questions or provide other proof of identity to regain access.
  • Recovery can take anywhere from minutes to several days depending on which method you use and how quickly you respond to verification requests.

Resetting your password through Gmail

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery or click "Forgot password?" on the Gmail login page. Enter the email address you use to sign in. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember — if you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way."

Google will then send a verification code to the phone number or recovery email you set up with your account. Enter that code on the screen. Once verified, you can create a new password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — this makes it much harder to guess. You can sign in when ready with the new password.

If you do not have access to your recovery phone or email, Google will ask you security questions instead. These are questions you answered when you created the account, like "What was the name of your first pet?" Answer correctly and you can reset your password. If you cannot answer them, Google may ask for a government ID or other proof that you own the account — this process can take several days.

Resetting your password through Outlook or Hotmail

Go to account.live.com/password/reset or click "Can't access your account?" on the Outlook login page. Enter your email address. Microsoft will ask whether you want to verify using a phone number, recovery email, or security questions.

If you choose phone verification, Microsoft sends a code by text or call to the number on file. Enter the code and create your new password. If you choose email verification, they send a code to your recovery email address instead. Both methods take just a few minutes. Once you create a new password, you can sign in right away.

If you do not have access to either recovery method, select "I don't have these" and Microsoft will ask security questions. You must answer at least two correctly. If you cannot, Microsoft may ask you to upload a photo of your ID — this verification can take 24 to 48 hours.

Resetting your password through Yahoo Mail

Go to login.yahoo.com and click "Trouble signing in?" or "Need help?" on the login page. Enter your email address or phone number. Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number, recovery email, or security questions.

If you have a phone number on file, Yahoo sends a code by text. Enter it and create a new password. If you have a recovery email, Yahoo sends the code there instead. Both take a few minutes. Once verified, you can sign in with your new password when ready.

If you cannot access your recovery phone or email, Yahoo asks security questions instead. Answer at least two correctly to reset your password. If you cannot answer them, Yahoo may require you to upload a government ID or answer additional questions about your account history — this can take one to three business days.

What to do if you cannot access your recovery phone or email

If the phone number or recovery email you set up is no longer yours, tell the email provider during the recovery process. Click "I don't have access to this" or "Use a different verification method." The provider will then ask security questions or request other proof that you own the account.

Have ready any information the provider might ask for: the approximate date you created the account, the device you usually sign in from, recent emails you remember receiving, or a phone number you used to use. The more details you can provide, the faster the verification goes. Some providers will also let you upload a photo of your ID to speed up the process.

If you set up no recovery options when you created the account, recovery becomes much harder and slower. You may need to provide government ID, answer detailed questions about your account history, or wait for a manual review by the provider's support team. This can take a week or more. This is why adding a recovery phone number and backup email when you first create an account is so important.

Preventing password problems in the future

Add a recovery phone number and recovery email address to your account right now, before you need them. For Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, and scroll to "How you sign in to Google." For Outlook, go to account.microsoft.com and click "Security info." For Yahoo, go to login.yahoo.com and click "Account info," then "Security."

Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass to store your passwords securely. These programs remember your passwords for you so you do not have to. They also generate strong random passwords that are much harder to crack than ones you create yourself. Most password managers cost nothing or a few dollars per month.

Write your password down on paper and store it in a safe place at home — a locked drawer or safe — if you are worried about forgetting it. This is safer than writing it on a sticky note on your monitor or storing it in an unencrypted document on your computer. Paper in a locked drawer cannot be hacked remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my old password if I reset it?

No. Once you reset your password, the old one is deleted and cannot be recovered. Email providers do not store passwords in a way that lets anyone — including their own staff — see them. If you need to know what your new password is, write it down or store it in a password manager when ready after creating it.

How long does password recovery usually take?

If you use a recovery phone number or email, you can reset your password and sign back in within five to ten minutes. If you must answer security questions, it takes about the same time. If the provider needs to verify your identity manually using an ID or account history, recovery can take one to seven business days depending on how busy their support team is.

What if I forgot the answer to my security questions?

Tell the provider you do not remember the answer. They will ask you to use a different recovery method — usually a phone number or recovery email. If you do not have those either, you may need to provide government ID or other proof of identity, which takes longer but is still possible.

Is it safe to reset my password on a public computer?

It is safer to reset your password on your own computer or phone. If you must use a public computer, make sure to sign out completely when you are done, and do not check the box that says "Remember me" or "Keep me signed in." After you reset your password, change it again from your own device as soon as you can.

Can someone else reset my password without my permission?

No, not if your recovery phone and email are find. The provider sends a verification code to those addresses, and only someone with access to them can complete the reset. If someone else has access to your recovery phone or email, change those when ready and add a new recovery method that only you can access.