The fastest way to reset your email password on iPhone

The method depends on which email service you use. For Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or iCloud, you will reset the password through the email provider's website on any computer or browser, then update it in the iPhone Settings app. You do not reset it directly in the Mail app itself — that app only stores the password once you have changed it elsewhere.

If you cannot remember your password and cannot access your email on any device, start by going to the email provider's password recovery page on a computer or another phone. You will need access to a recovery email address or phone number you set up with the account. Once you have created a new password, come back to your iPhone and update the stored password in Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Reset your email password through the provider's website (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or iCloud), not through the iPhone Mail app.
  • You will need a recovery email address or phone number to prove you own the account if you cannot log in.
  • After resetting the password online, go to iPhone Settings > Mail > Accounts and update the password stored there.
  • If you use two-factor authentication, you may need to generate an app-specific password instead of using your main password.
  • The Mail app will ask you to update the password the next time it tries to check email and finds the old one no longer works.

Reset a Gmail password on iPhone

Go to accounts.google.com on a computer or web browser. Click "Sign in" and enter your Gmail address. When prompted for your password, click "Forgot password?" at the bottom. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or skip that step if you cannot recall it.

Google will then send a verification code to your recovery email address or phone number. Enter that code, and you will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Make it something you can remember or write down safely. Once you have saved the new password, open Settings on your iPhone, go to Mail > Accounts > Your Gmail Account, tap Account, and paste the new password into the password field. Tap Save at the top right.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on for Gmail, you cannot use your main password in the Mail app. Instead, go back to accounts.google.com, click your profile picture, select Manage your Google Account, go to the Security tab, scroll to App passwords, and generate a 16-character password for iPhone Mail. Use that 16-character password in the Mail app instead of your main password.

Reset an Outlook or Hotmail password on iPhone

Go to account.live.com on a computer or web browser. Click Sign in and enter your Outlook email address. Click Forgot my password below the password field. Microsoft will ask you to verify your identity by sending a code to your recovery email or phone number.

Enter the code you receive, then create a new password. Once saved, open Settings on your iPhone, go to Mail > Accounts > Your Outlook Account, tap Account, and update the password field with your new password. Tap Save. If you use two-factor authentication, you may need to generate an app password instead — go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, find App passwords, and create one for iPhone Mail.

Reset a Yahoo password on iPhone

Go to login.yahoo.com on a computer or web browser. Click Forgot password? and enter your Yahoo email address. Yahoo will send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter the code and create a new password.

Return to your iPhone, open Settings, go to Mail > Accounts > Your Yahoo Account, tap Account, and update the password field. Tap Save. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to generate an app password instead of using your main password — log into your Yahoo account on a computer, go to Account Security, and create an app password for Mail.

Reset an iCloud password on iPhone

Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or web browser. Enter your Apple ID (the email address associated with your iCloud account) and follow the prompts to verify your identity. Apple will ask you to answer security questions or receive a verification code on a trusted device or recovery email.

Once verified, create a new password and save it. On your iPhone, open Settings, go to Mail > Accounts > Your iCloud Account, tap Account, and update the password. Tap Save. If you have two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, the Mail app will usually update automatically once you change your password, but you may need to sign out and sign back in to the iCloud account in Settings if the Mail app continues to show an error.

What to do if the Mail app keeps asking for your password

After you update the password in Settings, the Mail app may take a few minutes to sync and stop showing the password prompt. If it continues to ask after 10 minutes, try closing the Mail app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your email account, tap Account again, and make sure the password field shows your new password with no typos or extra spaces.

If you still see an error, try signing out of the account entirely and signing back in. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your account, scroll to the bottom, and tap Delete Account. Then go back to Mail > Accounts > Add Account, select your email provider, and sign in with your new password. This forces the Mail app to re-authenticate and usually clears persistent password errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my email password directly in the Mail app?

No. The Mail app only stores a password you have already created elsewhere. To change your password, you must go to your email provider's website on a computer or web browser, reset it there, and then update the stored password in iPhone Settings.

What if I do not have access to my recovery email or phone number?

Contact your email provider's support team directly. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple all have account recovery processes for people who cannot access their recovery methods. You may need to answer security questions or provide other proof of identity. This process can take several days.

Do I need a different password for the Mail app if I use two-factor authentication?

Yes. If two-factor authentication is on, your email provider will not let you use your main password in the Mail app. Instead, you must generate an app-specific password (usually 16 characters) through your account settings and use that in the Mail app instead.

Why does the Mail app show an error even after I updated the password?

The most common cause is a typo or extra space in the password field. Check that the password matches exactly what you created. If it does, try deleting the account from Mail and adding it again. This forces the app to re-authenticate and usually resolves lingering errors.

Will resetting my email password sign me out of other apps?

It depends on the app. Some apps (like Gmail or Outlook's own apps) may sign you out and ask you to sign back in. Others that use your email only for recovery will not be affected. If you use your email to sign into other services, check those apps after resetting your password to see if they need you to sign in again.