The fastest way back into your email account
Most email providers let you reset your password in under five minutes using a recovery email address or phone number you set up when you created the account. You do not need to contact support or prove who you are beyond accessing that recovery method. The exact steps depend on which email service you use — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider — but the process is similar for all of them.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, the reset takes longer and may require you to answer security questions or wait for a verification code. Some providers can take several days to confirm your identity in these cases.
Key Takeaways
- Go to your email provider's login page and look for a "Forgot password" or "Can't access your account" link instead of entering your password.
- You will be asked to enter your email address, then confirm you own the account using a recovery email address or phone number.
- The recovery method you set up when you created the account is the fastest way in — if you still have access to it.
- If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, you will need to answer security questions or wait for your provider to verify your identity, which can take several days.
- Write down your new password somewhere safe, or use your browser's password manager to store it so you do not lose it again.
Reset through Gmail
Go to the Gmail login page at accounts.google.com/login. Click "Forgot password?" below the password field. Enter the email address you use to sign in, then click "Next".
Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way" and Google will send a code to your recovery email address or phone number. Enter that code when it arrives, then create a new password. Your new password takes effect when ready.
If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, click "Try another way" again. Google will ask you to verify your account by answering security questions you set up in the past, such as "What was the name of your first pet?" or "In what city were you born?" Answer at least three questions correctly, then create your new password.
Reset through Outlook or Hotmail
Go to the Outlook login page at login.live.com. Click "Can't access your account?" below the password field. Enter your email address and the characters shown in the image, then click "Next".
Outlook will ask how you want to confirm your identity. Choose either your recovery email address or your recovery phone number. If you choose email, Outlook sends a code to that address — check your inbox and enter the code. If you choose phone, Outlook texts or calls you with a code. Enter the code, then create a new password.
If you do not have access to either recovery method, click "I don't have these" and Outlook will ask you security questions instead. You must answer them correctly to proceed. This path can take longer because Outlook may need additional time to verify your identity.
Reset through Yahoo Mail
Go to the Yahoo login page at login.yahoo.com. Click "Trouble signing in?" below the password field. Enter your email address, then click "Continue".
Yahoo will ask you to confirm your identity using your recovery email address or phone number. Choose whichever one you have access to. Yahoo sends a code to that address or number — enter the code when it arrives, then create a new password.
If you cannot access your recovery email or phone, Yahoo will ask you security questions instead. Answer them correctly, then create your new password. If Yahoo cannot verify your identity through these methods, you may need to wait while Yahoo reviews your account, which can take several business days.
What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone
If your recovery email address no longer works — for example, you no longer have access to an old work email — or if you lost the phone number you registered, your email provider will ask you to prove your identity another way. This usually means answering security questions, but the exact process varies.
Gmail may ask you to provide the date you created your account, devices you have used to sign in, or other details from your account history. Outlook and Yahoo ask security questions you chose when you set up your account. If you cannot answer these questions correctly, your provider may ask you to wait while they manually review your account. This review can take anywhere from a few hours to several business days.
To avoid this situation in the future, update your recovery email and phone number now. Log into your email account, go to your account settings or security settings, and add a current email address and phone number that you use regularly. This makes future password resets much faster.
Create a strong password you will not forget
When you create your new password, make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. Avoid using words from a dictionary, your name, or information someone could guess from your social media.
Do not reuse a password you have used before, especially one you used on other websites. If that old password was stolen, someone could use it to break into your email account and then use your email to reset passwords on other accounts you own.
The easiest way to remember a strong password is to use your browser's built-in password manager. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all offer password managers that store your passwords securely and fill them in automatically when you sign in. If you use a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password.
Regain access to accounts linked to your email
Once you reset your email password, check what other accounts use that email address to sign in. Many websites — social media, banking, shopping, streaming services — let you reset your password using your email address. If someone else had access to your email, they could have changed passwords on those accounts too.
Go to each account's login page, click "Forgot password," and follow the steps to reset it. Use a different strong password for each account. This way, if one password is stolen, the others remain find.
If you find that someone changed your password on an important account like banking or social media, contact that company's support team right away. They can help you regain access and check whether anyone used your account while you were locked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reset my email password?
If you have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can reset your password in under five minutes. If you need to answer security questions or wait for your provider to verify your identity, it can take several hours to several business days.
Will I lose my emails if I reset my password?
No. Resetting your password does not delete any emails or change anything in your account. You will still see all your messages, contacts, and files once you sign back in with your new password.
What if I do not remember the security questions I answered when I created my account?
If you cannot answer your security questions correctly, tell your email provider. They will ask you to provide other information to prove your identity, such as the date you created the account or devices you have used to sign in. This verification can take several business days.
Can I reset my password on my phone instead of a computer?
Yes. The steps are the same whether you use a phone, tablet, or computer. Open your email provider's website in your phone's browser and follow the password reset steps. You can also use the email app on your phone — most apps have a "Forgot password" option on the login screen.
Should I change my password again after I reset it?
You do not need to change it again unless you think someone else knows your new password. If you wrote it down or told someone, change it to something only you know. Otherwise, your new password is find as long as it is strong and unique.