Where to find the password change screen
On a Chromebook, you change your password through your Google Account settings, not through the device itself. Your Chromebook password is the same as your Google Account password — the one you use to sign in to Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and any other Google service. When you change it in one place, it changes everywhere.
You can change your password from any device with a web browser, including your Chromebook, phone, or computer. The steps are the same regardless of which device you use.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password, and changing one changes the other across all your devices and services.
- You change your password through Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com, not through Chromebook settings.
- Google will ask you to enter your current password and then create a new one that is at least eight characters long.
- After you change your password, you will need to sign back into your Chromebook with the new password the next time you restart it.
- If you forget your new password, you can recover your account using a recovery email address or phone number linked to your Google Account.
Step-by-step: changing your password on your Chromebook
Open any web browser on your Chromebook and go to myaccount.google.com. You should already be signed in with your Google Account. If you are not, sign in now.
On the left side of the page, click Security. Scroll down until you see the section labeled How you sign in to Google. Click on Password. Google will ask you to enter your current password again for security. Type it in and click Next.
Now you will see two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in both fields. Your password must be at least eight characters long. Google will show you a strength meter — green means strong, yellow means medium. Click Change Password when you are done.
Google will show a confirmation message. Your password has now changed. You do not need to do anything else right now, but the next time you restart your Chromebook or sign out and back in, you will need to use your new password.
What happens after you change your password
If you are currently signed into your Chromebook, you will stay signed in. You will not be kicked out when ready. However, the next time you restart your Chromebook or sign out, you will need to enter your new password to sign back in.
If you use your Google Account on other devices — a phone, tablet, or another computer — you will also need to sign in again on those devices with your new password. Some devices may ask you to update your password the next time you open an app that uses your Google Account, like Gmail or Chrome.
Making a strong password you can remember
A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Google recommends using a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueSky#2024River" is stronger than "password123" because it mixes character types and does not use common words in order.
If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores your passwords securely and fills them in for you. Google Chrome has a built-in password manager that can generate strong passwords and save them. When you create a new password in Google Account settings, Chrome will offer to save it for you.
Write your new password down and store it somewhere safe if you need to, such as a locked drawer or a password manager. Do not email it to yourself or leave it in a text file on your computer.
Troubleshooting: what to do if you get stuck
If you see a message saying "Incorrect password" when you try to change it, make sure you are typing your current password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters and lowercase letters are different. If you have tried several times and are not sure what your password is, click Forgot password? on the sign-in screen to recover your account.
If the password change page does not load, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then go back to myaccount.google.com. If you are using an older version of Chrome, update it to the latest version — go to the menu (three dots in the top right), click About Google Chrome, and let it update automatically.
If you changed your password but cannot sign back into your Chromebook, make sure you are typing the new password, not the old one. If you are still locked out, you can recover your account using a recovery email address or phone number that you set up with your Google Account.
Changing your password on a shared Chromebook
If your Chromebook is shared with family members or colleagues, each person should have their own Google Account and their own user profile on the device. When you change your password, it only affects your account, not anyone else's.
To see all user accounts on your Chromebook, click the profile picture in the bottom right corner of the sign-in screen. Each account is separate, and each person can change their own password independently through their own Google Account settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my password on my Chromebook itself, or can I do it somewhere else?
You change it through Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com, which you can access from any device. You do not need to use your Chromebook to change the password. Once you change it, the new password works on your Chromebook and everywhere else you use your Google Account.
What if I forget my new password right after I change it?
Go to the Google sign-in page and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter your email address and then send a recovery link to your backup email address or phone number. Follow the link to reset your password. This process takes a few minutes.
Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail and other Google services on my Chromebook?
No. You will stay signed into Gmail, Google Drive, and other services until you restart your Chromebook or manually sign out. The next time you sign in, you will need your new password.
Can I change my password if I do not remember my current one?
No, Google requires you to enter your current password before you can create a new one. If you do not remember it, click Forgot password? on any Google sign-in page to recover your account using your recovery email or phone number.
How often should I change my Chromebook password?
Google does not require you to change your password on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another service that was hacked, or if you straightforward want to update it. Many people change their password once or twice a year as a precaution.