Change your AOL password directly in the iPhone Settings app

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Mail. Find your AOL account in the list and tap it. Select Account, then tap Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Tap Save at the top right. Your iPhone will verify the new password with AOL's servers — this usually takes a few seconds.

If you do not see a Password option under your account settings, your iPhone may be using an app-specific password instead of your real AOL password. This happens when you have two-factor security turned on. In that case, you will need to change your password through AOL's website on a computer or browser, not through iPhone Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to change your AOL password on iPhone is through Settings > Mail > your AOL account > Account > Password.
  • If you have two-factor security enabled on your AOL account, you must change your password on AOL.com using a web browser, not in iPhone Settings.
  • After you change your password in Settings, your iPhone will sync the change with AOL's servers within a few seconds.
  • If your iPhone shows an error after you change your password, sign out of your AOL account in Settings and sign back in with your new password.

When you have two-factor security turned on

If your AOL account has two-factor security enabled, iPhone Settings will not let you change your password directly. Instead, you need to go to AOL.com on a computer or mobile browser and change it there. Open a web browser, go to aol.com, and click Sign In at the top right. Enter your email and password.

Once you are signed in, click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner, then select Account Info. Look for Security or Password in the menu on the left side. Click Change Password, enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click Save Changes. After you change your password on the website, go back to your iPhone and update it in Settings > Mail > your AOL account > Account > Password.

What to do if your iPhone will not accept the new password

Sometimes your iPhone keeps rejecting your new AOL password even after you have changed it. This usually means your iPhone is still trying to use the old password. The fix is to sign out of your AOL account on your iPhone, then sign back in.

Go to Settings > Mail, tap your AOL account, then scroll down and tap Delete Account. Choose Delete from My iPhone (this does not delete your actual AOL account). Then go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts and tap Add Account. Select Other, then Add Mail Account. Enter your full AOL email address and your new password. Your iPhone will verify the credentials and sync your mail again.

How to make sure your new password is strong

AOL requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long. A stronger password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like !, @, #, or $. Avoid using words from a dictionary or personal information like your name or birth year.

A password like Summer2024 is weaker than Tr0pic@lSun#42 because it uses common words and predictable numbers. If you have trouble remembering a complex password, consider using a password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or iCloud Keychain (which comes built into iPhone). These tools store your passwords securely and can fill them in automatically when you sign in.

Recovering your AOL account if you forget the new password

If you change your password and then forget it, you can recover your account through AOL's website. Go to aol.com and click Sign In. Click Forgot password? below the password field. AOL will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you set up on your account.

If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can answer security questions you created when you set up your account. Once AOL confirms your identity, you can create a new password. After you reset your password on the website, update it on your iPhone by going to Settings > Mail > your AOL account > Account > Password.

Turning on two-factor security after you change your password

Two-factor security adds an extra layer of protection to your AOL account. When it is turned on, anyone trying to sign in from a new device has to verify their identity using a code sent to your phone or recovery email. This makes it much harder for someone to break into your account even if they know your password.

To turn on two-factor security, sign in to your AOL account at aol.com, click your profile icon, and select Account Info. Go to Security and look for Two-Step Verification or Two-Factor Authentication. Follow the prompts to add your phone number or recovery email. AOL will send you a code to confirm. Once two-factor security is on, your iPhone will use an app-specific password instead of your real password, which means you will need to change your password on the AOL website rather than in iPhone Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on my computer too?

No. Your AOL password works across all devices. When you change it on your iPhone or on the AOL website, the new password works everywhere. You do not need to update it separately on a computer or tablet.

What if I see an error message that says "Cannot Connect to Mail Server"?

This usually means your iPhone has not synced your new password yet. Wait a minute, then try signing out and back in. If the error continues, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, then try again.

Can I use the same password for multiple email accounts?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone breaks into one account, they can access all your accounts if they use the same password. Using a different password for each account keeps your other accounts safer.

Will changing my password sign me out of AOL Mail on my iPhone?

Not if you change it in Settings. Your iPhone will update the password automatically. If you change it on the AOL website, you may need to sign out and back in on your iPhone to sync the change.

How often should I change my AOL password?

There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you use the same password on multiple sites, or if you have not changed it in several years. If you have two-factor security turned on, you are already protected against most break-ins.