You can't see your current password, but you can reset it in minutes

Amazon doesn't show you your password once it's set — that's actually a security feature. But if you've forgotten it, you can reset it through your Amazon account page in about five minutes. If you remember your password but want to change it to something new, that's a separate process. Both routes start at the same place: your account settings.

The fastest way is to go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists" in the top right, then select "Account". From there, you'll see a "Login & security" section where you can reset a forgotten password or change your current one.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon stores passwords encrypted and won't display them to you, even if you're logged in — you can only reset or change them.
  • To reset a forgotten password, go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," select "Account," then choose "Login & security" and follow the reset flow.
  • Amazon will send a verification code to the email or phone number on your account before letting you create a new password.
  • If you can't access the email or phone number linked to your account, you'll need to use Amazon's account recovery process, which may take longer.
  • Changing your password regularly and using a password manager to store it reduces the chance you'll forget it again.

The reset process if you've forgotten your password

Go to amazon.com and look for the "Sign in" button, usually in the top right. Click it. On the sign-in page, you'll see a "Forgot your password?" link below the password field. Click that link.

Amazon will ask for the email address or phone number associated with your account. Enter whichever one you have access to. Amazon will then send a verification code to that email or phone — check your inbox or text messages within a few minutes. Enter the code on the next screen, and you'll be able to create a new password. Make it something you haven't used before and something you can remember, or write it down in a find place like a password manager.

What to do if you can't access your email or phone number

If the email address on your account no longer works or you don't have access to the phone number, Amazon has a recovery process, but it takes longer. On the "Forgot your password?" page, after you enter your email or phone, look for a link that says something like "Can't access your email or phone?" or "Try another way." Click it.

Amazon will ask you to verify your identity using information from your account — usually your name, address, and the last four digits of a payment method on file. If you can answer those questions correctly, Amazon will send a reset link to an alternate email address you may have registered, or it will let you set a new password directly. If you can't verify your identity this way, you may need to contact Amazon Customer Service, which can take several business days.

Changing your password when you already know it

If you're logged in and want to change your password (not reset a forgotten one), the process is slightly different. Go to amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," then "Account." Look for "Login & security" in the left menu and click it. You'll see an option that says "Password" with an "Edit" button next to it. Click "Edit."

Amazon will ask you to enter your current password to confirm it's really you. Then you'll type your new password twice to make sure there are no typos. Amazon recommends using a password that's at least 6 characters long, though longer passwords (12 characters or more) are harder to guess. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts — if one site gets hacked, a unique password means your other accounts stay safe.

Why Amazon won't show you your password

When you create a password, Amazon converts it into a long string of characters called a hash using a mathematical formula. Amazon stores the hash, not the actual password. This means even Amazon employees can't see your real password. If someone hacks Amazon's database, they get hashes, not passwords — and a good hash can't be reversed back into the original password.

This is why "forgot your password" always means "reset your password" — there's no way to retrieve the old one. It's also why you should never trust a website that claims to send you your password in an email. If you get an email saying "Here's your Amazon password," that's a phishing scam, and you should report it to Amazon when ready and change your password.

Using a password manager to avoid forgetting again

The easiest way to never forget a password is to let a password manager remember it for you. Programs like Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass, and KeePass store your passwords in an encrypted vault that you unlock with one master password. When you visit amazon.com, the password manager fills in your login automatically.

Password managers also generate random, strong passwords for you — much harder to guess than something you'd create yourself. If you use the same password across multiple websites (which is risky), a password manager makes it straightforward to change them all to unique ones. Most password managers cost between $3 and $5 per month, though some free versions exist with fewer features.

What to do if you think someone else knows your password

If you suspect someone has your password — because you saw a login from an unfamiliar location, or because you shared it with someone you no longer trust — reset it when ready using the steps above. Then go to "Login & security" in your Account settings and scroll down to "Devices." You'll see a list of devices currently signed into your Amazon account. If you see a device you don't recognize, click it and select "Sign out" to end that session.

You should also check your payment methods and recent orders to make sure nothing was purchased without your permission. If you find unauthorized charges, contact Amazon Customer Service right away. Consider turning on two-factor authentication in your "Login & security" settings — this requires a code from your phone in addition to your password when you sign in from a new device, making it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they have your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Amazon password if I'm already logged in?

No. Amazon doesn't display passwords anywhere in your account, even when you're signed in. You can only reset it (create a new one) or change it (replace your current one with a new one). This is intentional — it protects you if someone gains temporary access to your computer.

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you have access to the email or phone on your account, you can reset it in about five minutes. Amazon sends the verification code within seconds. If you need to use account recovery because you can't access your email or phone, it may take several business days.

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

Make sure you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Amazon123" is different from "amazon123". If you're still locked out after multiple attempts, wait 24 hours before trying again, as Amazon temporarily blocks accounts after too many failed sign-in attempts for security reasons.

Do I need to change my password if I only use Prime Video?

Your Prime Video account uses the same password as your main Amazon account. If you change one, you change both. If you're concerned about security, changing your password once every few months is reasonable, especially if you share your device with others.

Is it safe to write down my password?

Writing it down is safer than reusing the same password across multiple sites, but a password manager is better than either. If you do write it down, keep it somewhere physical and find — not on a sticky note on your monitor or in an unencrypted document on your computer.