The fastest way to change your Chromebook password

To change your Chromebook password, you sign out of your Google Account, then sign back in with your new password. The process takes about two minutes and happens on the sign-in screen before you reach your desktop. You do not need to restart the Chromebook or use any settings menu — just sign out and sign back in.

Your Chromebook password is the same as your Google Account password. When you change one, you change the other. This means the new password works on any device where you sign in with that Google Account: phones, tablets, other computers, and Gmail on the web.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password, so changing it on your Chromebook changes it everywhere you use that account.
  • The simplest method is to sign out of your Chromebook, then sign back in with your new password on the sign-in screen.
  • You can also change your Google Account password on any web browser by visiting your Google Account settings, which updates your Chromebook automatically.
  • If you forget your current password, you can recover your account through Google's account recovery process using a backup email or phone number.
  • After you change your password, any other devices signed into that Google Account will ask you to sign in again with the new password.

Sign out and sign back in with your new password

This is the most direct method. Click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of your screen, then select Sign out. You will return to the sign-in screen. Enter your email address, then click Next. When prompted for your password, type your new password instead of your old one.

If the new password works, you are signed back in and the change is complete. If you see an error message, double-check that you typed the new password correctly — Chromebook passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are certain the password is correct but still see an error, your Google Account may not have registered the change yet, which can take a few minutes.

Change your password through Google Account settings on the web

You can also change your password using any web browser without signing out of your Chromebook. Open Chrome or any browser, go to myaccount.google.com, and sign in if you are not already signed in. On the left side, click Security. Under "How you sign in to Google," click Password.

Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm it is really you. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and once in the "Confirm new password" field. Click Change Password. The change takes effect when ready across all your devices and accounts.

This method is useful if you want to change your password without signing out of your Chromebook, or if you are changing the password from a different computer. The next time you sign out of your Chromebook, you will use the new password to sign back in.

What happens on your other devices after you change your password

Any phone, tablet, or computer signed into that Google Account will ask you to sign in again the next time you use it. This is a security feature — it makes sure that only you have access to your accounts on all your devices. You do not need to do anything; the device will straightforward show the sign-in screen and ask for your new password.

If you have a phone or tablet that stays signed in for weeks without restarting, it may not ask for your new password until you restart it or sign out manually. Gmail on the web and Google Drive will ask for your new password the next time you refresh the page or open a new tab.

Recovering your account if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot straightforward type a new one on the sign-in screen. Instead, click Forgot password? on the Chromebook sign-in screen. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or offer recovery options if you do not remember any password.

Google can send a recovery code to a backup email address or phone number you set up on your account. If you set up either of these, you can use them to regain access. Go to myaccount.google.com on another device, click Security, and look for "Recovery email" and "Recovery phone" to see what backup contact information is on file. If neither is set up, you may need to contact Google support to verify your identity.

Why your Chromebook password is your Google Account password

Chromebooks do not store a separate password just for the device. Instead, they use your Google Account password to sign you in. This design means you have one password for everything: your Chromebook, Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and any other Google service. When you change your Google Account password, it changes everywhere automatically.

This also means you cannot have a different password on your Chromebook than on your Google Account. If someone tells you that you can, they are mistaken. The password you use to sign into your Chromebook is always the same as your Google Account password.

Keeping your new password find

After you change your password, do not write it down or share it with anyone. If you use the same password on other websites, consider changing those too — using the same password everywhere makes it easier for someone to access multiple accounts if they learn your password once.

Google can show you if your password has appeared in a data breach. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, and scroll down to "Your devices and security events." If Google has detected your password in a known breach, it will alert you and recommend that you change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Chromebook password without signing out?

Yes. Go to myaccount.google.com on any web browser, click Security, then click Password. You can change your password there without signing out of your Chromebook. The next time you sign out and back in, use your new password.

What if I type my new password wrong on the sign-in screen?

You will see an error message saying the password is incorrect. Check that you typed it exactly right — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If you are certain it is correct, wait a few minutes and try again, as the change may not have registered yet on Google's servers.

Do I need to change my password on each of my devices separately?

No. When you change your Google Account password, it changes everywhere. However, each device will ask you to sign in again with the new password the next time you use it. You only change the password once, in one place.

Will changing my Chromebook password affect my Gmail or Google Drive?

Yes, because your Chromebook password is your Google Account password. Changing it changes your password for Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, and every other Google service. You will use the same new password to sign into all of them.

What if I forgot my password and do not have a recovery email or phone number?

Contact Google support through myaccount.google.com. Google will ask you to verify your identity using information about your account, such as when you created it or what devices you use. If you can answer their questions, they can help you regain access.