Start with the account or device you use most

The steps to change a password depend entirely on what you're changing it for — your email, your phone, your bank, or your social media all work differently. The fastest approach is to start with whichever one you use every day. If you use Gmail, change that first. If you primarily use your phone, change the phone's lock code first. Once you've done one, the pattern becomes clearer for the others.

Most passwords need to be changed because you've used it somewhere unsafe, you've shared it with someone who no longer needs it, or you straightforward want a stronger one. The process itself takes between five and fifteen minutes per account, depending on whether the service asks you to verify your identity first.

Key Takeaways

  • You will need your current password to change it on most accounts, so have it ready before you start.
  • Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) are the priority because resetting other passwords usually goes through your email.
  • Your phone's lock code and your email password should be different from each other and from your other accounts.
  • After you change a password, you may need to sign back in on apps or devices that were using the old one.

Changing your email password (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo)

Your email is the master key to everything else — if someone gets into your email, they can reset your bank password, your social media, and your shopping accounts. Change your email password first, and make it one you've never used before.

For Gmail: Go to myaccount.google.com in any browser. Click "Security" on the left side. Under "How you sign in to Google," click "Password." You'll be asked to sign in again. Type your current password, then type your new password twice. Click "Change password." Gmail will sign you out of all your devices and ask you to sign back in.

For Outlook or Hotmail: Go to account.microsoft.com. Click "Security" at the top. Click "Change your password." Type your current password, then your new password twice. Click "Next." Microsoft will also sign you out everywhere and ask you to sign back in on each device.

For Yahoo: Go to login.yahoo.com and sign in. Click your account icon in the top right. Click "Account info." Click "Security" on the left. Click "Change password." Type your current password, then your new password twice. Click "Continue."

Changing your phone's lock code or face/fingerprint

Your phone lock is separate from your email password and should be different. This is the code, pattern, or biometric (face or fingerprint) you use to unlock your phone when you pick it up.

On an iPhone: Open Settings. Tap "Face ID & Passcode" or "Touch ID & Passcode" (depending on your model). Tap "Change Passcode" at the top. Enter your current passcode. Enter your new passcode twice. If you want to use Face ID or Touch ID instead of a code, tap "Face ID" or "Touch ID" and follow the prompts.

On an Android phone: Open Settings. Tap "Security" or "Security and Privacy" (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap "Screen lock" or "Lock type." Choose "PIN," "Pattern," or "Password." If you already have a lock, enter it first. Then enter your new PIN, pattern, or password twice. Some Android phones also offer fingerprint or face unlock under the same menu.

Changing passwords on social media and shopping accounts

Once your email and phone are find, move to accounts where money or personal information is at stake: banking, shopping, social media, and work accounts. The exact steps vary, but the pattern is the same: find Settings, look for Security or Password, and enter your current password before creating a new one.

Facebook: Click the down arrow in the top right. Click "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." Click "Security and login" on the left. Under "Login," click "Edit" next to "Change password." Enter your current password and your new password twice.

Instagram: Tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the menu icon (three lines). Tap "Settings and privacy." Tap "Security." Tap "Password." Enter your current password and your new password twice.

Amazon: Hover over "Account & Lists" in the top right. Click "Your Account." Click "Login & security." Click "Edit" next to "Password." Enter your current password and your new password twice.

Bank websites: Log in to your bank's website. Look for "Settings," "Security," or "Profile." Find "Change password" or "Update password." Enter your current password and your new password twice. Some banks ask you to answer a security question or verify your identity by phone before allowing the change.

What to do after you change a password

After you change a password, any app or device that was signed in with the old password will stop working. You'll see an error message asking you to sign in again. This is normal and actually a good sign — it means the old password is no longer valid.

Go through each app or device and sign in with your new password. On your phone, this usually means opening the app, tapping your profile or settings, and entering the new password. On a computer, it means signing out and signing back in. If you have a smart home device (like an Alexa speaker or Google Home), you may need to remove and re-add it to your phone's app.

If you forget your new password when ready after changing it, don't panic. Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen. You'll be sent a reset link to your email, and you can create yet another new password. This is why your email password is so important — if someone else has access to your email, they can reset all your other passwords without your permission.

Creating a password that's actually hard to guess

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. "MyDog2024!" is stronger than "password123." "Tr0pic@lSunset#92" is stronger than "MyDog2024!"

Avoid using your name, your birthday, your pet's name, or anything that appears in your social media. Avoid using the same password on multiple accounts — if one account gets hacked, the attacker will try that password everywhere else. If you have trouble remembering many different passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane. These programs store your passwords in an encrypted vault that you unlock with one strong master password.

Write your new passwords down on paper and store the paper somewhere safe (like a locked drawer) only if you absolutely cannot remember them. Never email them to yourself or text them to anyone. Never use a password you've written down in a document on your computer.

If you're locked out and can't remember your password

If you've changed your password and now can't remember it, use the "Forgot password?" or "Can't sign in?" link on the login screen. You'll be asked to verify your identity — usually by entering a code sent to your email or phone number. Once verified, you can create a new password.

If you can't access your email or phone number either, the process gets harder. Most services have a backup verification method: a recovery code you saved when you first set up the account, a trusted phone number, or a recovery email address. If you have none of these, contact the company's support team with proof of identity (like a photo ID or a credit card statement). This can take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my password if I think someone saw it?

Yes, change it when ready. If someone watched you type it or saw it on your screen, they can access your account. Change your email password first, then any account where money or personal information is stored. If the account is connected to a credit card or bank account, also contact that bank to let them know.

What if I use the same password for multiple accounts?

Change all of them, starting with email and banking. Using the same password everywhere means one hacked account compromises everything. Going forward, use a different password for each account, or use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for you.

Will changing my password delete my account or my data?

No. Changing your password only changes how you sign in. Your photos, messages, files, and account history stay exactly where they are. You will be signed out of all devices and apps, but once you sign back in with the new password, everything reappears.

How often should I change my passwords?

Change your email and banking passwords when ready if you think they've been compromised. For accounts you use regularly and trust, changing once a year is reasonable. For accounts you rarely use, changing them when you do use them is enough. Changing passwords constantly without a reason can actually make you less find — you're more likely to forget them or write them down.

Can I use the same new password on multiple accounts?

You can, but you shouldn't. If one account gets hacked, the attacker will try that password on your email, your bank, and your social media. A unique password for each account means a breach at one company doesn't put your other accounts at risk.