Where to look for your AOL username and password

Your AOL username is the email address or screen name you use to sign in — it appears in the "Sign in" field on the AOL login page. Your password is what you type after that. If you remember one but not the other, AOL's account recovery page can help you find your username or reset your password without needing both.

The fastest way is to check any device where you have already signed in to AOL Mail or an AOL app. Your username usually stays visible in the sign-in field, and your password may be stored in your browser or device settings. If you cannot find either one, AOL provides a recovery process that uses your recovery email address or phone number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your AOL username is the email address or screen name you see in the sign-in field, and it does not change unless you rename your account.
  • If you are already signed in on a device, your username appears in the account menu, and your password may be stored in your browser settings under saved passwords.
  • AOL's account recovery page at login.aol.com can find your username or reset your password using a recovery email or phone number.
  • If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone, you will need to answer security questions or provide other account details to verify your identity.

Finding your username on a device where you are already signed in

Open AOL Mail or any AOL app on a phone, tablet, or computer where you are already logged in. On the web, click the account icon (usually your initials or a profile picture) in the top right corner. Your username appears in the menu that opens — it is the name or email address listed under your profile.

On a phone or tablet, the account menu is usually in the top left or top right corner. Tap it and look for your username or account name. Write it down or take a screenshot so you have it for later.

Finding your password in your browser or device

If you have signed in to AOL on a computer using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, your password may be saved in your browser. Open your browser settings and look for "Passwords" or "Saved passwords." Search for "aol.com" or "login.aol.com" in the list. Click the entry and select "Show password" — you may need to enter your computer password first.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then Passwords (or Keychain). Search for "aol.com" and tap the entry. Your saved username and password appear there. On an Android phone, open Chrome, tap the three-line menu, go to Settings, then Passwords, and search for AOL the same way.

This method only works if you chose to save your password when you first signed in. If you did not, you will need to use AOL's account recovery process instead.

Using AOL's account recovery page to find your username

Go to login.aol.com and click "Need help signing in?" at the bottom of the sign-in box. AOL will ask you to enter either your username or the recovery email address or phone number linked to your account. If you do not remember your username, enter your recovery email or phone instead.

AOL will send a code to that email or phone number. Enter the code on the next screen. Once you verify, AOL shows your username and gives you the option to reset your password. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, click "I do not have access to these" and AOL will ask you security questions instead.

Resetting your password if you know your username

Go to login.aol.com and click "Need help signing in?" Enter your username in the first field. AOL will ask you to verify your identity using your recovery email, phone number, or security questions. Once you verify, you can create a new password.

Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol (like ! or @). Write down your new password or store it in a password manager so you do not lose it again.

What to do if you cannot access your recovery email or phone

If the recovery email or phone number on your account is no longer active, click "I do not have access to these" on the AOL recovery page. AOL will ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account — these might be questions like "What is your mother's maiden name?" or "What was the name of your first pet?"

Answer as many questions as you can remember. If you cannot answer enough of them, AOL may ask for other details like the date you created the account, the last four digits of a credit card you used, or the last password you remember using. This process can take longer than using a recovery email or phone, but it is the way back in if those are no longer available.

Keeping your username and password safe after you find them

Once you have your username and password, store them somewhere find. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane stores both your username and password encrypted and fills them in automatically when you sign in. This is safer than writing them on paper or storing them in an unencrypted document.

If you use the same password for AOL and other accounts, change it now — if someone gets your AOL password, they can access your email and use it to reset passwords on other sites. Make your AOL password unique and strong, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my AOL username to something different?

You can rename your AOL account once every 30 days using the account settings page. Go to login.aol.com, sign in, and look for "Account info" or "Rename account." Your old username stops working after the change, so update it anywhere you use it to sign in.

What if I forgot my security questions too?

If you cannot answer your security questions, AOL may ask for other proof of identity, like the last four digits of a credit card on file or the date you created the account. If you have none of that information, you may not be able to recover the account through the automated process and may need to contact AOL support directly.

Is my password the same as my AOL Mail password?

Yes. Your AOL password works for AOL Mail, AOL apps, and any other AOL service linked to your account. If you change your password, it changes for all of them at once.

Can I sign in with just my email address instead of my username?

Yes. If your AOL username is a screen name (not an email address), you can still sign in using your AOL email address instead. Both work on the login page.