Change your password from the Steam website or desktop app

You can change your Steam password in two places: on the Steam website from any browser, or inside the Steam desktop app on your computer. Both routes take about the same time and lead to the same result. The website method works if you're away from your computer; the app method works if you're already playing. Either way, Steam will ask you to enter your current password before letting you set a new one.

If you've forgotten your current password, you'll need to use the "I forgot my password" link instead — that's a separate process covered in the FAQ section below. This guide assumes you remember your password and just want to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password on the Steam website (steampowered.com) or inside the Steam desktop app, and both methods require your current password first.
  • The website method takes you to Account Details, then Password, where you enter your old password and type your new one twice.
  • The app method is in Settings under Account, then Change Password, and follows the same three-field pattern.
  • Steam will send a confirmation email after you change your password, and you'll be logged out of all other devices once the change takes effect.
  • A strong password includes uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid using the same password across multiple gaming accounts.

Changing your password on the Steam website

Go to steampowered.com and log in with your account name and current password. Once you're logged in, look for your account name in the top right corner of the page and click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Click "Account Details" from that menu. You'll see a page with your account information. On the left side, you'll see a list of links including "Password" — click that link. Steam will now ask you to enter your current password again as a security check. Type it in and click the button to proceed.

You'll now see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields — they must match exactly, and Steam will tell you if they don't. Once you've entered it twice, click the button to save. Steam will send a confirmation email to the address on your account, and your password change is complete.

Changing your password in the Steam desktop app

Open the Steam app on your computer and log in if you aren't already. In the top left, click "Steam" (on Windows) or "Steam" (on Mac), then look for "Settings" in the menu that drops down. Click Settings.

In the Settings window, click "Account" on the left side. You'll see several options related to your account. Look for "Change Password" and click it. Steam will ask you to enter your current password as a security check — type it in and proceed.

Just like the website method, you'll see two fields for your new password. Type your new password in both, making sure they match exactly, then click the button to confirm. Steam will log you out of the app and send a confirmation email. When you log back in, use your new password.

What happens after you change your password

Steam will send an email to the address connected to your account confirming that your password was changed. Check your email (including spam folders) to make sure you received it. If you didn't receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check that you're looking at the right email address — you can see which address is on your account in Account Details on the website.

You'll be logged out of the Steam app on your computer and any other devices where you were logged in. The next time you open Steam or try to play a game, you'll need to enter your new password. If you use Steam on multiple computers, you'll need to log in again on each one. If you share a computer with someone else and you were logged in, they'll also be logged out — this is intentional and a security feature to make sure only you can access your account after a password change.

Creating a password Steam will accept

Steam requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long. Beyond that, there's no official list of what Steam requires, but a strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Avoid passwords that are straightforward words, your username, or sequences like 123456.

Don't reuse a password from another gaming account, email account, or website. If one site gets hacked, a reused password puts all your accounts at risk. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store unique passwords for each account, so you only have to remember one master password.

If you can't remember your current password

If you've forgotten your password entirely, you can't use the method above because Steam requires your old password first. Instead, go to steampowered.com and click "Login" in the top right. On the login page, look for "I forgot my password" and click it.

Steam will ask for your account name or email address, then send you a link to reset your password. Check your email (including spam) for that link, click it, and you'll be able to set a new password without knowing the old one. This process usually takes a few minutes, and the reset link expires after a set time, so don't wait too long to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password log me out of my games?

Yes. Steam will log you out of the app and any games you're playing. You'll need to log back in with your new password. If you're in the middle of a single-player game, save your progress first.

Can I change my password on my phone?

Yes, you can use the Steam website method on any browser, including your phone's browser. Log into steampowered.com, go to Account Details, click Password, and follow the same steps. The Steam mobile app doesn't have a password-change option, so the website is your only choice on mobile.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one?

Use the "I forgot my password" link on the login page. Steam will send you a reset link to your email address. You don't need to know your old password to reset it — you just need access to your email.

Do I need to change my password if someone else knows it?

Yes. Change it when ready. If you think someone accessed your account, also check your email address and phone number in Account Details to make sure they haven't been changed. If they have, contact Steam Support right away.

How often should I change my Steam password?

There's no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used the same password elsewhere and that site was hacked, or if you haven't changed it in several years. A unique, strong password that only you know is more important than how often you change it.