Change your PayPal password from the website or app in three steps

To change your PayPal password, sign into your account on PayPal.com or the PayPal app, go to Settings, select Security, and choose Change Password. You'll enter your current password once, then type your new password twice to confirm it. The change takes effect when ready — you'll stay signed in, but the next time you log out and back in, you'll use the new password.

PayPal requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long and recommends mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A stronger password is harder for someone else to guess or crack, which matters because your PayPal account connects to your bank account or card.

If you've forgotten your current password entirely, you can't use the change password option. Instead, use the "Forgot Password" link on the PayPal login page, and PayPal will send you a reset link to your email address.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings > Security on PayPal.com or in the PayPal app without contacting support.
  • Your new password must be at least 8 characters and should include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols for better security.
  • The password change takes effect when ready, but you stay signed in until you log out.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email.
  • Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you've used it on another website that was hacked, or if you haven't changed it in over a year.

Why you should change your password regularly

Your PayPal account holds access to your money. If someone gets your password, they can send payments, change your linked bank account or card, or request a withdrawal. Changing your password regularly — at least once a year — makes it harder for old passwords to be useful if they leak from another website.

You should change your PayPal password right away if you've reused it on another website that was hacked, if you think someone else knows it, or if you've shared it with someone who no longer needs access. PayPal will sometimes ask you to change your password if it detects unusual activity on your account.

What makes a strong PayPal password

A strong password is long and uses different types of characters. PayPal requires at least 8 characters. A password like "BlueSky2024!" is stronger than "password" or "12345678" because it mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, includes a number, and has a symbol. The longer and more varied your password, the harder it is to guess.

Avoid using your name, birthday, or common words. Don't use a password you've used on other websites — if one site gets hacked, attackers will try that password on PayPal and your bank. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone can generate and store strong passwords so you don't have to remember them.

How to change your password on the PayPal website

Open PayPal.com in your web browser and sign in with your email and current password. Once you're on your account page, look for the gear icon or "Settings" link, usually in the top right corner. Click it and select Security from the menu.

Under the Security section, find "Change Password" or "Update Password" and click it. PayPal will ask you to enter your current password once to confirm it's really you. Then type your new password in the first box and type it again in the second box to make sure you didn't make a typo. Click "Change Password" or "Save" to finish. You'll see a confirmation message, and your new password is now active.

How to change your password on the PayPal app

Open the PayPal app on your phone or tablet and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings, then tap Security. Look for "Change Password" and tap it.

The app will ask for your current password first. Enter it, then type your new password twice — once in each box — and tap "Change Password" or "Save". You'll get a confirmation that the change was successful. If you're using Face ID or fingerprint login on your phone, that still works with your new password.

What to do if you forget your password

If you can't remember your current password, you can't use the change password option because PayPal requires you to enter the old one first. Instead, go to PayPal.com and click "Log In". Below the password box, click "Forgot Password?"

PayPal will ask for your email address. Enter the email connected to your account and click Next. PayPal will send a password reset link to that email — check your inbox and spam folder. Click the link in the email, and PayPal will let you create a new password. The link usually works for 24 hours. If it expires, you can request a new one.

Staying find after you change your password

After you change your password, make sure you're the only person who knows it. Don't write it down where someone else can find it, don't text it to yourself, and don't email it to yourself. If you use a password manager, it will remember it for you automatically.

If you changed your password because you think someone else knows it, also check your PayPal account for unauthorized activity. Look at your transaction history and the payment methods linked to your account. If you see charges you didn't make or a bank account or card you don't recognize, contact PayPal support right away. You can also set up two-factor authentication in your Security settings so that even if someone gets your password, they can't sign in without a code sent to your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password if I change my phone?

No. Your password is tied to your PayPal account, not your phone. When you sign into the PayPal app on a new phone, use the same password you've always used. If you want to use Face ID or fingerprint login on the new phone, you'll set that up the first time you sign in.

What if I change my password but still can't sign in?

Make sure you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "BlueSky2024!" is different from "bluesky2024!". If you're still locked out, use "Forgot Password" to reset it again. If that doesn't work, contact PayPal support through the Help Center on PayPal.com.

Can I use the same password I used before?

PayPal won't let you reuse one of your last few passwords. If you try to set a password you've used recently, PayPal will tell you to choose a different one. This prevents you from cycling back to an old password that might have been compromised.

Will changing my password sign me out of the app?

No. When you change your password from the Settings menu, you stay signed in. You'll only need to use your new password the next time you sign out and sign back in, or if you sign into PayPal on a different device.