Change your Chromebook password through your Google Account settings

Your Chromebook password is actually your Google Account password. When you sign into your Chromebook, you are signing into Google — so changing one changes the other. You do this through Google's account settings, not through your Chromebook itself. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you use a personal Chromebook or one managed by your school or workplace.

You will need to know your current password to change it. If you have forgotten it, Google has a separate recovery process that involves your phone number or backup email address — but that is a different path than the one below.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password, so you change it in Google Account settings, not on the device itself.
  • You must be signed into your Google Account and have your current password before you start.
  • The change takes effect when ready on all devices where you use that Google Account.
  • If your Chromebook is managed by a school or employer, you may not be able to change your password through this method — contact your IT department instead.

Step 1: Go to your Google Account page

Open any web browser on your Chromebook or any other device. Go to myaccount.google.com. You should see a page that says "Google Account" at the top and shows your profile picture and name.

If you are not already signed in, click "Sign in" and enter your full Google email address and current password. Once you are signed in, you will see your account dashboard.

Step 2: Find the Security section

On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with several options. Click on Security. This takes you to a page showing all the security settings for your Google Account.

Scroll down until you see a section labeled How you sign in to Google. Under that heading, you will see Password with a blue button next to it that says "Change password".

Step 3: Enter your current password

Click the "Change password" button. Google will ask you to enter your current password again as a security check. Type it in and click "Next". This confirms that you are the person who owns this account.

If you enter the wrong password, Google will tell you and ask you to try again. You have several attempts before Google locks you out temporarily for security reasons.

Step 4: Create and confirm your new password

Google will show you two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in the first field. Type the same password again in the second field to make sure you did not make a typo.

Your new password should be at least 8 characters long. Google will show you a strength meter — green means strong, yellow means medium. A strong password uses a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Once you have entered your new password twice, click "Change password".

What happens after you change your password

The change takes effect when ready. You will see a confirmation message on the screen. The next time you sign into your Chromebook or any other device that uses your Google Account, you will need to use your new password.

If you are already signed into your Chromebook, you do not need to sign out and sign back in right away. Your session will continue. However, the next time your Chromebook asks for your password — such as when you restart it or when you try to change a sensitive setting — you will need to use the new password.

If your Chromebook is managed by your school or workplace

Some Chromebooks are set up by schools or employers so that IT staff can manage them. If your Chromebook is managed, you may not be able to change your password through Google Account settings. Instead, you will need to contact your school's IT department or your workplace's IT support team.

You can tell if your Chromebook is managed by looking at the sign-in screen. If you see text that says "This device is managed by [your school or company name]", then it is a managed device. In that case, ask your IT department how to change your password — they may have a different process or may not allow password changes at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forgot my current password?

You cannot change your password without knowing the current one. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery instead. Google will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or a backup email address. Once you verify, you can set a new password.

Do I need to change my password on the Chromebook itself?

No. Your Chromebook does not have its own password settings. Everything goes through your Google Account. Once you change your Google password, it works on your Chromebook automatically.

Will changing my password sign me out of other devices?

Not when ready. You will stay signed in on your phone, tablet, and other devices until they ask for your password again — usually after a few weeks or when you restart them. Then you will need to enter your new password.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Google will let you, but it is not a good idea. If someone found out your old password, changing to a new one protects your account. Pick something you have never used before.

How often should I change my password?

There is no set rule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used it on a website that got hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. For most people, once a year is reasonable.