Change your password while logged in

Open eBay, sign in to your account, and go to Account in the top right corner. Click Account settings, then select Password from the left menu. Click Change password, enter your current password, then type your new password twice. eBay will confirm the change when ready.

This takes about two minutes and works on desktop, mobile browser, and the eBay app. You stay signed in after you change it — you do not have to log back in.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password yourself through Account settings if you remember your current one.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the reset option instead of the change option.
  • Change your password when ready if you think someone else has accessed your account or if you have reused it on other websites.

What makes a strong eBay password

eBay requires passwords to be at least 8 characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. A password like Bicycle2024 meets the minimum but is still guessable. A stronger choice is something like BlueBike$2024Home — longer, with mixed character types, and not based on words that appear in your public profile.

Avoid passwords that match your eBay username, your email address, or words from your full name. Do not reuse a password you use on other websites, especially not your email password. If one website gets breached, attackers will try that same password on eBay, PayPal, and your bank.

If you forgot your current password

Go to the eBay sign-in page and click Forgot password? eBay will ask for your email address or username. You will then receive a link by email that lets you set a new password without entering the old one. The link expires after a few hours, so check your inbox right away.

If you do not see the email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, go back to the sign-in page and request another link. If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact eBay's Resolution Center — they can verify your identity through other account details and help you regain access.

Change your password if your account may be compromised

If you notice unfamiliar purchases, messages from people you did not contact, or login attempts from places you do not recognize, change your password when ready. Do this before doing anything else, because a compromised account can be used to list items, make bids, or contact other users.

After you change the password, check your Account menu for Security and privacy. Look at Recent activity to see where and when your account was accessed. If you see logins from cities or countries you have never visited, or if you see devices you do not own, sign out all other sessions by clicking Sign out all other sessions. Then review your saved payment methods and remove any you did not add.

Password managers and two-factor authentication

A password manager is software that stores your passwords in an encrypted vault so you do not have to remember them. Programs like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane let you create long, random passwords for each website without memorizing them. If you use a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password.

eBay also offers two-factor authentication, which adds a second step when you sign in from a new device. After you enter your password, eBay sends a code to your phone or email, and you must enter that code to finish logging in. Turn this on in Account settings under Security and privacy. Two-factor authentication makes it much harder for someone to access your account even if they know your password.

What to do after you change your password

If you use the same password on other websites, change it on those sites too. If you use eBay's mobile app, you may need to sign in again the next time you open it — this is normal and expected. Your saved payment methods and shipping addresses stay in your account; only your login credentials change.

If you changed your password because you thought your account was compromised, monitor your account for the next few weeks. Check your Purchases and Messages regularly. If you see activity you did not do, report it to eBay's Resolution Center right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change my eBay password?

Change it whenever you think someone else may have seen it, when you reuse it on another site that gets breached, or every year as a routine precaution. You do not need to change it monthly unless your account has been compromised.

Can I use the same password on eBay and PayPal?

No. If one account is breached, the attacker will when ready try that password on your other accounts. Use a different strong password for each service, especially for payment and email accounts.

What if I change my password and still cannot sign in?

Wait a few minutes — the change sometimes takes time to sync across eBay's servers. If you still cannot sign in, use the Forgot password? link to reset it again. If that does not work, contact eBay's Resolution Center and describe the problem.

Does changing my password sign me out of the eBay app?

Not when ready, but the next time you close and reopen the app, it will ask you to sign in again with your new password. This is a security feature and is normal.