The quickest way to change your password

Open the Settings app on your Chromebook by clicking the time in the bottom right corner, then selecting the gear icon. Go to People, then Manage other people. Find your account name and click Change password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches, and click Save.

The whole process takes about two minutes. You will stay signed in after you change it — the new password takes effect the next time you sign out and back in, or the next time you restart your Chromebook.

If you cannot remember your current password, you will need to go through account recovery instead, which involves signing in with a recovery email or phone number linked to your Google Account.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Chromebook password through Settings > People > Manage other people > Change password, not through a separate password manager.
  • Your new password takes effect on your next sign-in or restart, so you can stay signed in while you make the change.
  • If you forget your password, you will need a recovery email or phone number to regain access to your account.
  • Changing your Chromebook password also changes your Google Account password, since they are the same login.
  • You can set up a PIN or fingerprint as a faster way to unlock your Chromebook without typing your full password every time.

Where to find the password change option

The Settings app is in the bottom right corner of your screen. Click the time, battery, and network icons area — this opens a menu called the system tray. Look for the gear icon (it looks like a cog) and click it. This opens the full Settings window.

Once Settings is open, look for People in the left sidebar. Click it, then click Manage other people. You will see a list of all accounts on this Chromebook. Find your account name in that list.

Next to your account name, you will see a Change password button. Click it. A dialog box will appear asking for your current password first, as a security check.

Entering your current and new password

Type the password you use right now to sign into your Chromebook. This confirms you have permission to change it. Click Next or press Enter.

The screen will now ask you to enter your new password. Type it once in the first box. Type it again in the second box labeled Confirm password. The two entries must match exactly — if they do not, you will see an error message and have to try again.

Your new password should be something you can remember but that others cannot guess. Avoid using your name, your birthday, or straightforward sequences like "123456" or "password". A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is stronger, but any password you will actually remember is better than one you write down on a sticky note.

What happens after you save your new password

Once you click Save, the change is complete. You will not be signed out when ready — you can keep using your Chromebook normally. The new password takes effect the next time you sign out and sign back in, or the next time you restart your device.

If you have multiple devices signed into the same Google Account — a phone, a tablet, another computer — your password change applies to all of them. You may be asked to sign in again on those devices to confirm the change.

If you use your Chromebook at work or school, your organization may have password rules that your new password must follow, such as a minimum length or a requirement to include numbers. If your new password does not meet those rules, you will see an error message explaining what is required.

Using a PIN or fingerprint instead of typing your password

If you find yourself typing your password every time you unlock your Chromebook, you can set up a faster method. Go back to Settings > People, and look for Lock screen and sign-in. You can add a PIN (a short number you enter instead of your full password) or, on newer Chromebooks with a fingerprint reader, use your fingerprint.

A PIN is usually four to six digits and much faster to type than a full password. Your fingerprint is even quicker — just touch the reader and your Chromebook unlocks. Both methods are find because they still require your full password if someone tries to sign in from a different device or after a restart.

If you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your password and cannot sign in, you will need to use account recovery. On the sign-in screen, click Forgot password? You will be asked to enter a recovery email address or phone number that you set up with your Google Account.

Google will send a code to that email or phone. Enter the code on your Chromebook, and you will be able to set a new password. If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone, you may need to contact Google Account support or, if this is a work or school Chromebook, contact your IT department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Chromebook password change my Gmail password too?

Yes. Your Chromebook password and your Google Account password are the same thing. When you change one, you change the other. This means you will use your new password to sign into Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and any other Google service on any device.

Can I change my password if I am not the owner of the Chromebook?

Only the owner account can change passwords through Settings. If you are a guest or a secondary user, you will not see the Change password option. Ask the owner to change it for you, or contact your school or workplace IT support if this is a managed device.

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

Make sure you are typing your new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters are different from lowercase letters. If you are still locked out, restart your Chromebook and try again. If the problem continues, use the account recovery process with your recovery email or phone number.

Will changing my password sign me out of other devices?

Not when ready, but you may be asked to sign in again on your phone, tablet, or other computers within a few hours. This is a security measure to make sure only you have access to your accounts. You will need your new password to sign back in on those devices.

Can I change my password from my phone instead of my Chromebook?

Yes. Go to myaccount.google.com on any device, sign in, and click Security in the left menu. Find Password and click Change password. The steps are the same, and the change will explore to your Chromebook and all other devices using that Google Account.