The fastest way to reset your email password on iPad

The method depends on which email service you use and whether you remember your password or not. If you remember your current password, you can change it directly in the iPad's Settings app without leaving your device. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to use your email provider's website on any device — iPad, computer, or phone — to reset it through their account recovery process.

The steps below cover both situations. Start with the method that matches your situation: changing a password you know, or recovering one you've forgotten.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your password, open Settings, tap Mail, select your email account, and choose Change Password to update it directly on your iPad.
  • If you've forgotten your password, visit your email provider's website (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or iCloud) and use their account recovery tool, which usually asks for a recovery email or phone number.
  • After resetting your password on the provider's website, you may need to delete and re-add the email account in iPad Settings for the new password to work.
  • Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo each have different recovery steps, so knowing which service you use saves time.
  • If you can't remember your recovery email or phone number, contact your email provider's support team directly — they can verify your identity through other means.

Changing your password when you remember the current one

Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap Mail, then tap Accounts. Find the email account you want to change and tap it.

Tap Account at the top of the screen. You'll see your account details. Tap Change Password or Password (the exact wording varies by email provider). Enter your current password when prompted, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Tap Done or Save.

Your iPad will update the password in the Mail app automatically. You don't need to delete and re-add the account. If you use this email on other devices, you'll need to update the password there too, or those devices will stop receiving mail from this account.

Resetting a forgotten Gmail password

Go to accounts.google.com on any device with a web browser. Click Sign in, then click Forgot password? Enter the email address you can't access.

Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you can't remember any password, click Try another way. Google will then ask for a recovery email address or phone number linked to your account. Enter whichever one you have access to. Google will send a code to that email or phone — enter the code on the next screen.

Once verified, you can set a new password. After you've reset it on Google's website, go back to your iPad. Open Settings, tap Mail, tap Accounts, select your Gmail account, and tap Account. Tap Password and enter your new password. If the Mail app still won't sync after that, delete the account from iPad Settings and add it again using your new password.

Resetting a forgotten Outlook or Hotmail password

Go to account.microsoft.com on any device. Click Sign in, then click Can't access your account? Enter your email address.

Microsoft will ask why you can't sign in — select I forgot my password. You'll be asked to verify your identity using a recovery email, phone number, or authenticator app linked to your account. Choose the option you have access to and follow the prompts. Microsoft will send a code — enter it to verify.

Create a new password on the next screen. Return to your iPad, open Settings, tap Mail, tap Accounts, select your Outlook account, and tap Account. Tap Password and enter your new password. If Mail still won't sync, remove the account from iPad Settings and re-add it with your new password.

Resetting a forgotten Yahoo password

Go to login.yahoo.com on any device. Click Sign in, then click Forgot password? Enter your Yahoo email address or phone number.

Yahoo will ask you to verify your identity. You can choose to receive a code by text message or email to a recovery address. Select whichever method you can use and enter the code when it arrives. Then create a new password.

On your iPad, open Settings, tap Mail, tap Accounts, select your Yahoo account, and tap Account. Tap Password and enter your new password. If the account stops syncing, delete it from iPad Settings and add it again using the new password.

Resetting a forgotten iCloud password

Go to iforgot.apple.com on any device. Enter your Apple ID (usually your iCloud email address). Apple will ask you to verify your identity using a trusted phone number, recovery email, or security questions you set up when you created your account.

Follow Apple's prompts to receive a verification code. Enter the code, then create a new password. On your iPad, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your new password. Your iPad will update automatically — you don't need to remove and re-add the account.

What to do if you can't access your recovery email or phone

If you set up a recovery email or phone number but no longer have access to it, contact your email provider's support team directly. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple all have support pages where you can request account recovery help. They'll ask you to verify your identity using other information — such as the date you created the account, devices you've used it on, or recent emails you remember sending.

This process takes longer than using a recovery email or phone, sometimes several days, but it's the only way forward if you've lost access to your backup contact methods. Have your iPad or another device ready so you can answer security questions or receive codes during the verification process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to delete my email account from iPad after resetting the password?

Not always. If you changed your password using the iPad Settings app, the account stays active. If you reset your password through your email provider's website, you may need to delete and re-add the account in iPad Settings so it recognizes the new password. Try updating the password in Settings first — if Mail stops syncing, then delete and re-add the account.

Why does my iPad keep asking for my password after I reset it?

Your iPad is still using the old password. Go to Settings, tap Mail, tap Accounts, select your email account, tap Account, and update the password field with your new one. If that doesn't work, delete the account from iPad Settings and add it again using your new password.

Can I reset my email password on iPad without using a website?

Only if you remember your current password. You can change it directly in Settings without visiting a website. If you've forgotten your password, you must use your email provider's website on any device — the iPad Mail app doesn't have a password recovery tool built in.

What if I don't remember which email provider I use?

Open Settings on your iPad, tap Mail, tap Accounts, and look at the account you're trying to reset. The account name usually shows the provider — for example, "name@gmail.com" is Gmail, "name@outlook.com" is Outlook, and "name@yahoo.com" is Yahoo. Once you know the provider, use the recovery steps listed above for that service.

How long does it take to reset a forgotten password?

If you have access to a recovery email or phone number, you can reset your password in minutes. If you need to contact your email provider's support team because you've lost access to your recovery methods, the process can take several days while they verify your identity.