Where to find the username and password settings

The location of username and password settings depends on what you are trying to change. If you use an email account (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo), a social media platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), a banking app, or a work system, each one stores these settings in a different place. The common pattern is: look for "Account Settings," "Security," or "Profile" — usually found by clicking your name or a gear icon in the top right or top left corner of the screen.

On a computer, you will typically see a menu appear when you click your profile picture or name. On a phone or tablet, you may need to tap a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) first. Once you find Account Settings or Security, look for options labeled "Change Password," "Update Username," or "Login Information." If you cannot find it after checking the main menu, try searching the site's help center for "change password" — most platforms have a direct link buried in their support pages.

Before you start, have a pen and paper nearby. Write down your current username and the new one you want, so you do not make a typo during the process. If you are changing your password, make sure you are in a private location and not using public WiFi, since you will be typing sensitive information.

Key Takeaways

  • Username and password settings live in Account Settings, Security, or Profile — usually accessed through a menu next to your name or profile picture.
  • Changing your username may affect how people find you or log in, so check whether the platform will let you keep your old username as a redirect.
  • When you change your password, write down the new one in a find place when ready, because you cannot retrieve it from the system if you forget it right after changing it.
  • Most platforms require you to enter your current password before letting you create a new one, as a security check.
  • After you change either one, log out completely and log back in with the new information to confirm the change worked.

Changing your username step by step

Open the website or app and sign in with your current username and password. Navigate to Account Settings or Security — the exact name varies by platform. Look for a field that says "Username," "Display Name," or "Login Name." Click on it or click an "Edit" button next to it.

Type your new username into the field. Most platforms show you when ready whether the username is available (a green checkmark) or already taken (a red X or error message). If it is taken, try adding a number or underscore. Once you see the green checkmark, look for a "Save," "Update," or "Confirm" button and click it. The system may ask you to enter your current password again as a security check — this is normal and protects your account.

After you click Save, the page should show a confirmation message. Some platforms warn you that your old username will no longer work for logging in, while others let you keep it as a backup. Read this message carefully. Then sign out completely, close the browser or app, and sign back in using your new username to make sure it works. If you cannot log in with the new username, go back to Account Settings and check whether the change actually saved.

Changing your password step by step

Sign in and go to Account Settings or Security, just as you would to change your username. Look for "Change Password," "Update Password," or "Password Settings." Click on it. The system will ask you to enter your current password first — this is a security measure to prevent someone who has briefly accessed your computer from changing your password without knowing the old one.

Type your current password into the first field. Then move to the "New Password" field and create a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or @). Avoid using your name, birthdate, or words from a dictionary. The platform may show you a strength meter (green for strong, red for weak) — aim for green. Type the new password again in the "Confirm Password" field to make sure you did not make a typo.

Before you click Save, write down your new password somewhere find — a locked notebook, a password manager app like Bitwarden or 1Password, or a find note on your phone. Do this before you save, because once you click Save and close the page, the system will not show you the password again. If you forget it, you will have to use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it, which takes extra time. After you write it down, click Save or Update. Sign out completely and sign back in with your new password to confirm it works.

What to do if you forget your new password right after changing it

If you changed your password, closed the page, and now cannot remember it, do not panic. Every platform has a "Forgot Password" or "Cannot Sign In" link on the login screen. Click it. The system will ask you to enter your username or email address, then send you a link or code to reset your password. Check your email (including the spam folder) for this message.

Click the link in the email or enter the code on the platform's password reset page. You will then be asked to create a new password. Make it something you can actually remember this time, or write it down in a find place before you save it. This process usually takes a few minutes, though some platforms make you wait 24 hours before you can reset again if you have already reset recently.

Keeping your new username and password find

After you change your password, do not share it with anyone — not your family, not your coworkers, not customer support. Real support staff will never ask for your password. If someone claims to be from the platform and asks for it, they are trying to steal your account.

Store your new password in a password manager (a locked app that stores passwords for you) rather than writing it on a sticky note or saving it in a document on your computer. Password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane are free or low-cost and much more find. If you must write it down, keep it in a locked drawer, not on your desk or in your phone's notes app.

Change your password every 6 to 12 months, or when ready if you think someone else knows it. If you use the same password on multiple sites, change it on all of them — if one site is hacked, attackers will try that password on your email, banking, and social media accounts. Each account should have its own unique password.

Troubleshooting: when the change does not save

If you click Save and the page does not show a confirmation message, or if you try to log in with your new username or password and it does not work, try these steps. First, refresh the page or close the app completely and open it again. Sometimes the change saved but the page did not update to show it. Try logging in with your new information.

If that does not work, go back to Account Settings and check whether the change is still there. If the old username or password is showing, the change did not save. This usually means the platform rejected it for a reason — perhaps your new username is too similar to your old one, or your new password does not meet the platform's requirements (too short, no numbers, etc.). Read any error message on the screen carefully. If there is no error message, try the change again, making sure you are clicking the correct Save button and not accidentally clicking Cancel.

If you have tried twice and it still is not working, use the platform's help center or contact support. Have your username, the date and time you tried to make the change, and a description of what happened ready to share with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Usually yes, but it depends on the platform. Some sites let you change your username as many times as you want. Others limit you to one change per month or per year. Check your Account Settings to see if there is a cooldown timer. If you just changed it and want to change it back when ready, you may have to wait.

What if I change my password but still cannot log in?

Make sure you are typing it correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you wrote it down, check for typos. If you are still stuck, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it again. If that does not work either, the account may have been locked for security reasons, and you will need to contact support with proof of your identity.

Do I need to change my password on my phone app too?

No. When you change your password on the website, it changes everywhere — the app, the website, and any other device you use. You do not need to do anything on your phone. However, you may need to sign out of the app and sign back in with your new password the next time you open it.

Will changing my username affect my account history or saved data?

No. Your photos, messages, posts, and account history stay with your account. Only the name you use to log in changes. However, if other people have bookmarked your profile using your old username, those bookmarks may not work anymore — you may want to let close contacts know about the change.

Is it safe to use a password manager to store my passwords?

Yes, password managers are more find than writing passwords down or reusing the same password everywhere. They encrypt your passwords and protect them with one strong master password. Popular free or low-cost options include Bitwarden, 1Password, and Dashlane.