Change your PayPal password from your account settings

To change your PayPal password, log into your account on PayPal.com, go to Settings, select Account, then Security, and click Change Password. You will enter your current password once, then type your new password twice. PayPal will confirm the change when ready, and you will stay logged in.

The entire process takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact PayPal support or verify your identity unless you have forgotten your current password — in that case, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page instead.

If you are changing your password because you suspect someone else has accessed your account, also check your Recent Activity page (in Settings) to see if any unauthorized transactions occurred. If you find charges you did not make, report them to PayPal right away so they can investigate and potentially reverse the charges.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into PayPal, go to Settings > Account > Security, and click Change Password to update your password in under two minutes.
  • You will need to enter your current password once and your new password twice to confirm the change.
  • If you have forgotten your current password, click "Forgot password?" on the login page and follow the recovery steps instead.
  • After changing your password, check your Recent Activity page to confirm no unauthorized transactions occurred on your account.
  • A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Step-by-step instructions for the Settings menu

Open PayPal.com in your web browser and log in with your email address and current password. Once you are on your account dashboard, look for the gear icon in the top right corner of the page — this is the Settings button.

Click Settings. A menu will open with several options. Select Account from this menu. You will see a new page with different sections. Look for the Security section and click on it. Inside Security, you will see a row labeled "Password" with a Change Password button to the right. Click that button.

A box will appear asking for your current password first. Type it in exactly as you normally would when logging in. Then you will see two fields for your new password. Type your new password in the first field, then type it again in the second field to confirm you spelled it correctly. Click Change Password when both fields match.

PayPal will show a confirmation message that your password has been changed. You will remain logged into your account and can continue using it normally.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Settings method above. Instead, go to PayPal.com and look for the "Forgot password?" link below the login button. Click it.

PayPal will ask you to enter the email address associated with your account. Type it in and click Next. PayPal will then send a password reset link to that email address. Check your inbox (and your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes) and click the link in the email.

The link will take you to a page where you can create a new password. Follow the same rules as above: type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Once you submit, your password is changed and you can log back into PayPal with your new password.

Creating a password that is hard to guess

A strong PayPal password should be at least 8 characters long. Include uppercase letters (A through Z), lowercase letters (a through z), numbers (0 through 9), and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. An example of a strong password is: BlueSky#2024Rain.

Do not use passwords that are straightforward to guess, such as your name, your birth date, "password123", or common words. Do not reuse a password you have used for other accounts, because if one account is breached, someone could try that same password on your PayPal account.

If you have trouble remembering a complex password, consider using a password manager — a program that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you automatically. Popular password managers include Bitwarden (free), 1Password, and LastPass.

Check your account activity after changing your password

After you change your password, spend a moment checking whether anyone else has used your account without permission. Log into PayPal, go to Settings, select Account, then click Resolution Center. Look for a section called Recent Activity or Transaction History.

Scroll through the list and look for any charges or transfers you do not recognize. If you see a transaction you did not make, click on it to open the details. Then click Report a Problem and select "I do not recognize this transaction" or "This transaction was unauthorized."

PayPal will open an investigation and may reverse the charge while they look into it. The process usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the type of transaction. PayPal will email you updates as the investigation progresses.

Changing your password on the PayPal mobile app

You can also change your password using the PayPal app on your phone or tablet. Open the app and log in if you are not already logged in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Tap Settings. Then tap Security. You will see an option for Password — tap it. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Tap Change Password to confirm. The app will show a confirmation message and you will remain logged in.

The steps are the same whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. If you forget your password on the mobile app, tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen and follow the email recovery process described above.

When to change your password again

You should change your PayPal 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 do not need to change it more often than that unless one of those situations occurs.

If you share a computer with other people, consider changing your password after they use it, especially if they logged into your account. If you logged into PayPal on a public computer (at a library, internet café, or hotel), change your password as soon as you get home, because public computers may have malware that records what you type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be logged out of PayPal after I change my password?

No. When you change your password through Settings, you stay logged into your account and can keep using it right away. You only get logged out if you change your password using the "Forgot password?" link on the login page — in that case, you will need to log back in with your new password.

Can I change my password on my phone?

Yes. Open the PayPal app, tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right, tap Settings, then Security, then Password. Enter your current password and your new password twice, then tap Change Password. The process is the same on iPhone and Android.

What if I change my password but still see unauthorized transactions?

Report each unauthorized transaction to PayPal through the Resolution Center. Click on the transaction, select Report a Problem, and choose "I do not recognize this transaction." PayPal will investigate and may reverse the charges. You may also want to change the password on your linked bank account or credit card as a precaution.

How long does it take for a password change to take effect?

Your new password works when ready after you confirm the change. If you were logged in when you changed it, you stay logged in. If you log out and log back in, use your new password — your old password will no longer work.

Can PayPal reset my password for me?

PayPal does not reset passwords for you directly. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page, and PayPal will email you a reset link. If you cannot access the email address on your account, contact PayPal support through the Help Center and they can verify your identity and help you regain access.