The fastest way to change your Chromebook password
To change your Chromebook password, you sign out of your account, then sign back in with your new password. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely on your lock screen — you do not need to open any settings menus or find hidden options.
Your Chromebook password is the same as your Google Account password. When you change one, you change the other. If you forget your current password before you start, you will need to reset it through Google's account recovery page on a different device first, then return to your Chromebook.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chromebook password and your Google Account password are the same thing, so changing one changes both.
- The simplest method is to sign out of your Chromebook, then sign back in with your new password.
- If you have forgotten your current password, reset it on Google's account recovery page using another device before attempting to sign back in.
- You can also change your password through your Google Account settings on any web browser, and the change will take effect the next time you sign into your Chromebook.
Sign out and sign back in with your new password
Click the time in the bottom right corner of your screen. A menu will appear showing your account picture, your email address, and a power icon. Click the power icon, then select Sign out. Your Chromebook will return to the lock screen.
At the lock screen, click your account picture. A password field will appear. Type your new password and press Enter. If the password is correct, you will sign in and see your desktop. If you see an error message, the password you entered does not match what Google has on file — check that you typed it correctly, including capital letters and numbers.
This method works best if you have already changed your Google Account password elsewhere and want to sign back into your Chromebook with that new password. If you have not yet changed your password, use the method in the next section instead.
Change your password through Google Account settings
Open any web browser on your Chromebook and go to myaccount.google.com. You will be signed in automatically if you are already logged into your Chromebook. On the left side, click Security. Scroll down until you see Password and click it.
Google will ask you to sign in again for security reasons. Enter your current password and click Next. Then type your new password twice — once in the first field and once again in the second field to confirm you typed it correctly. Click Change password. A green checkmark will appear confirming the change was saved.
The new password takes effect when ready in your Google Account, but your Chromebook may not recognize it right away. If you try to sign out and sign back in within the next few minutes and see an error, wait five minutes and try again. Google's servers sometimes take a moment to sync the change across all devices.
What to do if you have forgotten your current password
If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it directly on your Chromebook. Instead, use a different device — a phone, tablet, or another computer — and go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Google will ask you to enter your email address and will send a recovery code to a backup email address or phone number you set up previously.
Follow Google's instructions to reset your password. Once you have set a new password, return to your Chromebook, sign out, and sign back in using the new password. If you do not have access to a backup email or phone number, you will need to contact Google's account recovery team, which may take several days.
Why your Chromebook password and Google Account password are the same
Your Chromebook is designed to work with your Google Account. When you first set up your Chromebook, you signed in with your Google email and password. That same password protects your email, your Google Drive files, your YouTube account, and everything else connected to Google. Your Chromebook uses that password to verify it is really you each time you sign in.
This means you cannot have a different password on your Chromebook than you do on Google. If you change your password on your Chromebook, it changes everywhere. If you change it through Google Account settings, your Chromebook will use the new password the next time you sign in. There is no separate Chromebook password to manage.
Changing your password on a shared Chromebook
If your Chromebook is shared with other people, each person has their own account and their own password. When you change your password, it only affects your account — other users will still sign in with their own passwords unchanged.
To prevent other users from seeing your password as you type it, make sure you are at the lock screen before entering it. If someone else is signed in, click Sign out from the power menu first. The lock screen will appear, and you can then click your account picture and enter your password privately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my Chromebook password affect my Gmail or other Google services?
Yes. Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password. Changing it will change the password for Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and any other Google service you use. You will need to sign in with the new password on any device where you use those services.
What if I see an error message saying my password is incorrect after I change it?
Wait five to ten minutes and try again. Google's servers sometimes take a moment to sync password changes. If the error continues after waiting, double-check that you typed your new password correctly, including capital letters, numbers, and special characters. If you are still stuck, reset your password through Google's account recovery page on a different device.
Can I change my Chromebook password without signing out?
Yes. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, then click Password. You can change it there without signing out of your Chromebook. The new password will take effect the next time you sign in.
What happens to my files if I change my password?
Your files are not affected. Files stored in Google Drive remain in your account and are accessible after you sign in with your new password. Files stored only on your Chromebook's hard drive also remain unchanged.