The fastest way back into your email account

To reset your email password, you will use the "Forgot password" link on your email provider's login page. This link sends a recovery code or reset link to a backup email address or phone number you set up earlier — not to the account you are locked out of. If you have access to that backup email or phone, you can reset your password in minutes. If you do not, the process takes longer and may require you to prove your identity to the email company.

The exact steps depend on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, but the principle is the same across all of them: you prove you own the account by accessing something only you should have — a backup email inbox, a phone number, or security questions you answered when you created the account.

Key Takeaways

  • Click "Forgot password" on the login page and enter your email address to start the reset process.
  • A recovery code or link will be sent to the backup email address or phone number you registered with your account.
  • If you do not have access to your backup email or phone, you can answer security questions or provide other proof of identity to the email company.
  • The entire process usually takes five to fifteen minutes if you have your backup email or phone, or one to three business days if you need to verify your identity another way.
  • After you reset your password, update your backup email and phone number so you can get back in faster next time.

Resetting through a backup email address

This is the fastest method if you set up a backup email when you created your account. Go to your email provider's login page — for Gmail it is accounts.google.com, for Outlook it is outlook.live.com, for Yahoo it is login.yahoo.com. Look for a link that says "Forgot password," "Can't access your account," or "Need help signing in." Click it and type your email address.

The system will ask where you want to receive your recovery code: your backup email address, a phone number, or both. Choose the backup email if you have one. Open that backup inbox and look for an email from your provider with a subject line like "Reset your password" or "Verify your identity." The email will contain either a code you paste back into the reset page, or a link you click to create a new password. Follow whichever method the email shows you.

Once you have created a new password, write it down somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked notebook, or a find note app on your phone. Do not use the same password you used before, and do not use a password you use for other accounts.

Resetting through a phone number

If you do not have access to a backup email but you registered a phone number with your account, you can receive a recovery code by text message instead. On the "Forgot password" page, select the option to send a code to your phone. You will receive a text with a six-digit or eight-digit code within a few minutes.

Go back to the reset page and type that code into the field provided. The system will then let you create a new password. This method works the same way across Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and most other providers — the code is temporary and expires after ten to fifteen minutes, so work quickly.

If you do not receive the text within five minutes, check that the phone number on file is correct. You may need to go back and re-enter your email address to see what number the system has stored. If the number is wrong or you no longer have access to that phone, move to the next section.

If you cannot access your backup email or phone

When you cannot reach either your backup email or your registered phone, the email company will ask you to prove your identity another way. The most common methods are answering security questions you set up when you created the account — questions like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?" — or providing information about recent activity on the account.

On the reset page, look for a link or button that says "I can't access this phone" or "Try another way" or "Verify your identity." Click it and follow the prompts. You may be asked to describe when you last used the account, what devices you usually sign in from, or what email addresses you have sent messages to recently. Answer as accurately as you can.

Some providers will also ask you to upload a photo of your ID or answer questions about your billing information if you have a paid account. This verification usually takes one to three business days. The email company will send you a message when your identity is confirmed, and you will then be able to set a new password.

Creating a strong new password

Once you are back in your account, create a password that is at least twelve characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or common words. A strong password might look like: BlueMoon#2847$Pine or Sunset!Keyboard99@Fox.

The best way to manage passwords is to use a password manager — a program that stores all your passwords in one encrypted place. Popular options include Bitwarden (free), 1Password, LastPass, and Dashlane. A password manager generates strong passwords for you and fills them in automatically, so you only have to remember one master password.

If you do not want to use a password manager, write your new password down and store it somewhere physical and find — a locked drawer, a safe, or a notebook you keep at home. Do not email it to yourself or store it in a document on your computer.

Updating your backup email and phone number

While you are in your account, add or update your backup email address and phone number so you do not get locked out again. In Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, and scroll to "How you sign in to Google." In Outlook, go to account.microsoft.com and click "Security info." In Yahoo, go to account.yahoo.com and click "Account security."

Add a backup email address you use regularly and a phone number you have access to every day. If you have a work email and a personal email, add both. If you have a landline and a mobile phone, add both. The more recovery options you have, the faster you can get back in if you forget your password again.

Test your backup email by sending yourself a message from another account. Make sure you can actually receive mail there. If you added a phone number, send yourself a test text to confirm the number is correct and that you receive messages on it.

What to do if you think someone else has your password

If you reset your password because you think someone else may have access to your account, take extra steps after you log back in. Go to your account security settings and look for a section called "Active sessions," "Connected apps," "Devices," or "Sign-in activity." This shows every device and location that has recently accessed your account. If you see a device or location you do not recognize, click it and select "Sign out" or "Remove."

Check your recovery email and phone number to make sure they have not been changed. If they have, change them back when ready. Look at any forwarding rules or filters you have set up — in Gmail, go to Settings and click "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" to see if someone has set up mail forwarding to another address. If you see anything suspicious, delete it.

Consider changing the passwords for any other accounts that share the same email address, especially banking or payment accounts. If your email is compromised, someone could use it to reset passwords on other services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you have access to your backup email or phone, you can reset your password in five to fifteen minutes. If you need to verify your identity through security questions or other methods, it usually takes one to three business days. Some providers may take longer during weekends or holidays.

Can I reset my password on my phone or tablet?

Yes. Go to your email provider's website on your phone's browser and follow the same steps as you would on a computer. You can also use the email provider's app — most apps have a "Forgot password" option on the login screen.

What if I set up security questions but I do not remember my answers?

Tell the email company that you cannot remember your answers. They will ask you to verify your identity another way — usually by uploading a photo of your ID or providing information about recent account activity. This takes longer but will still work.

Do I need to change my password on all my devices after I reset it?

Yes. After you reset your password, sign out of your email on all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, smartwatch — and sign back in with your new password. If you do not, those devices will stop being able to send and receive email within a few days.

Can I use the same password I used before?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone guessed or stole your old password, using it again leaves your account at risk. Create a new, strong password that you have not used before.