Change your Gmail password from your account settings

Open Gmail and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Manage your Google Account, then click the Security tab. Scroll down to How you sign in to Google and click Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Click Change Password when you're done.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new password takes effect when ready across all devices and services linked to your Google Account — Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, Google Calendar, and anything else that uses your Google login. You will be signed out on all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Gmail password through your Google Account settings, not through Gmail itself, by clicking your profile picture and selecting Manage your Google Account.
  • You need to know your current password before you can set a new one, so use account recovery if you've forgotten it.
  • A new password applies to your entire Google Account, not just Gmail, and signs you out on all your devices.
  • A strong password is at least 8 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • If you think someone else knows your password, change it when ready and then check which devices are signed into your account.

What makes a strong Gmail password

Google requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long, but longer is better. A strong password uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like Tr0pic@lSunset42 rather than password123. The longer and more random your password, the harder it is for someone to guess or crack it.

Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or common words. Do not reuse a password from another account, especially not from banking or work. If you use the same password everywhere and one site gets hacked, someone can access all your accounts. Google will not let you reuse one of your last five passwords, so you cannot cycle back to an old one that might already be compromised.

You'll be signed out on other devices

When you change your password, Google signs you out of Gmail on all your phones, tablets, and computers. You'll need to sign back in with your new password on each device. This is a security feature — it makes sure only you can access your account, and it removes access from any device that may have been compromised.

On your phone, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, and select Manage your Google Account. Go to Security, tap Password, and follow the same steps. You may need to sign in again on that device when you're finished. On a computer, the process is identical — use your browser to go to Gmail, click your profile picture, and navigate to the Security tab.

If you can't remember your current password

You cannot change your password if you don't know the current one — the password change page requires you to enter it first. Instead, go to the Google Account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter your email address and follow the steps to prove you own the account.

Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number. Once you've confirmed who you are, you can set a completely new password without knowing the old one. If you don't have access to your recovery email or phone, Google will ask additional questions about your account history to verify your identity.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer

Changing your password protects your account from someone who knows or guesses it. Two-factor authentication protects you even if someone gets your password — they still can't sign in without a second verification step.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to your Google Account Security tab and click 2-Step Verification. Google can send you a code by text message or through the Google Authenticator app on your phone. You'll enter this code every time you sign in from a new device. This means even if someone has your password, they cannot access your account without also having your phone.

What to do if you think someone else knows your password

Change your password when ready, even if you're not sure. Use the steps at the top of this page. Then go to your Google Account Security tab and scroll down to Your devices. Click Manage all devices to see where you're signed in. If you see a device you don't recognize, click it and select Sign out.

Check your recovery email and phone number in the How we'll verify it's you section. If someone changed these to lock you out, you may need to use the account recovery process to regain control. Consider turning on two-factor authentication so a stolen password alone cannot compromise your account. Review your account activity regularly to catch any unauthorized access early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Gmail password affect my other Google services?

Yes. Your Gmail password is your Google Account password, which controls access to Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, Google Calendar, and any other Google service you use. Changing it signs you out everywhere and requires you to sign back in with the new password on each service and device.

How often should I change my Gmail password?

You don't need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another site that got hacked, or if you haven't changed it in several years. Two-factor authentication is more important than frequent password changes for protecting your account.

Can I use a password I've used before?

Google will not let you reuse one of your last five passwords. This prevents you from cycling back to an old password that might be compromised. If you try to reuse a recent password, Google will ask you to choose a different one.

What if I'm locked out of the email address I use for recovery?

Use the Google Account recovery page and select I don't have access to these recovery options. Google will ask additional questions to verify your identity, such as when you created the account or what devices you normally use. Answer as accurately as you can to regain access to your account.

Do I need to change my password if I only use Gmail on one device?

You should still change your password if you suspect someone knows it or if you've reused it on another site. Using the same password across multiple accounts puts all of them at risk if one site is compromised, regardless of how many devices you use.