The steps to change your Gmail password
Open Gmail in your browser and sign in if you are not already. Click your profile picture in the top right corner — it is a small circle with your initial or photo. A menu will drop down. Click Manage your Google Account.
At the top of the page that opens, you will see several tabs. Click the Security tab. Scroll down until you see Password — it will show the last time you changed it. Click on Password.
Google will ask you to sign in again. Type your current password and click Next. Then type your new password twice — once in the first box, once in the second to confirm you typed it correctly. Click Change Password. That is it. You are done.
Key Takeaways
- You change your Gmail password through your Google Account settings, not through Gmail itself.
- Google will ask you to sign in a second time before letting you set a new password, as a security check.
- Your new password must be typed twice so you can catch typos before you save it.
- After you change your password, you will be signed out of Gmail on all your devices and will need to sign in again with the new password.
- If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, you can reset it using your recovery email or phone number.
Why you might want to change your password
Change your Gmail password if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that was hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You should also change it if you shared your password with someone and no longer want them to have access.
Changing your password does not automatically sign you out of Gmail on devices you own — you will still be logged in on your phone, tablet, or computer until you manually sign out. If you think someone else has access to your account, change your password and then go to Security > Your devices to see where Gmail is currently signed in and force a sign-out on any device you do not recognize.
What makes a strong password
A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid passwords that contain your name, your birth year, or words from the dictionary. Do not use the same password across multiple accounts — if one website is hacked, a criminal can try that password on your Gmail, your bank, and everywhere else.
If you have trouble remembering a long, random password, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane. These programs store your passwords in an encrypted vault and fill them in for you automatically. You only have to remember one strong master password to unlock the vault.
What happens after you change your password
You will be signed out of Gmail on the device where you made the change. When you try to use Gmail next, you will see a sign-in screen. Type your email address and your new password. If you are signed in on other devices — a phone, a tablet, a work computer — you will stay signed in there until the next time Gmail refreshes, which can take a few minutes to a few hours depending on the device.
If you want to force an when ready sign-out on all devices, go to Security > Your devices after changing your password. You will see a list of devices and browsers where you are currently signed in. Click on any device and select Sign out. You will then need to sign in again on that device with your new password.
If you cannot access the email address or phone number on your account
If you no longer have access to the recovery email or phone number linked to your Google Account, you will have a harder time changing your password. Google will ask you to verify your identity in other ways — by answering security questions you set up, by providing the date you created the account, or by uploading a photo of your ID.
This is why it is important to keep your recovery email and phone number up to date. Go to Security > How you sign in to Google and check that both are current. If you have moved, changed phone numbers, or no longer use an old email address, update them now so you can recover your account if you need to later.
Changing your password on a phone or tablet
You can change your Gmail password on a phone or tablet, but the steps are slightly different. Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Tap Manage your Google Account. Tap the Security tab at the top. Scroll down to Password and tap it. Sign in again when prompted, then type your new password twice and tap Change Password.
On an iPhone, you can also change your password through the Settings app. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Google > tap your email address > Password. This route takes you to the same Google Account page, just with fewer taps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail everywhere?
Not when ready. You will be signed out on the device where you changed the password. On other devices, you will stay signed in until Gmail refreshes, which usually takes a few minutes to a few hours. If you want to sign out everywhere at once, go to Security > Your devices and click Sign out all other sessions.
What if I forget my new password right after I change it?
Go to the Gmail sign-in page and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you just changed it, you can enter your old password. Google will then send a code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter that code and you can set a new password.
Can I change my password if I am locked out of my account?
You cannot change your password if you cannot sign in. Instead, use the Forgot password? link on the Gmail sign-in page. Google will verify your identity using your recovery email, phone number, or security questions, then let you set a new password without needing the old one.
Do I need to change my password if I change my recovery email?
No. Changing your recovery email or phone number does not affect your password. However, it is a good idea to update your recovery information whenever it changes, so you can recover your account if you forget your password later.