Where to find the password change screen
Your Chromebook password lives in your Google Account settings, not on the device itself. When you sign into your Chromebook, you are signing into Google — so changing your password changes it everywhere you use that Google Account, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and any other Google service.
The fastest way to change it is to go directly to Google's account page in any web browser. You do not need to be on your Chromebook to do this — you can change your password on any computer, phone, or tablet. But if you want to do it on your Chromebook, open Chrome and go to myaccount.google.com.
You will need to sign in with your current password first. After you sign in, look on the left side of the page for a menu. Click Security.
Key Takeaways
- Your Chromebook password is your Google Account password, so you change it through Google's website, not through Chromebook settings.
- You need your current password to change it, plus a recovery email or phone number on file in case you get locked out later.
- The change takes effect when ready on all devices and services tied to that Google Account.
- If you forget your new password, Google will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number, so keep those up to date.
Step 1: Sign into your Google Account
Go to myaccount.google.com in your browser. If you are already signed in, you will go straight to your account page. If not, you will see a sign-in screen.
Enter your full email address (the one you use to sign into your Chromebook) and click Next. Then enter your current password and click Next again. If Google asks you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or email, follow those steps.
Step 2: Open the Security section
Once you are signed in, look at the left side of the page. You will see a vertical menu with options like "Personal info," "Data & privacy," and "Security." Click Security.
The Security page shows you information about your account, including recent sign-ins and devices. Scroll down until you see a section labeled How you sign in to Google. Under that heading, you will see Password.
Step 3: Enter your new password
Click on Password. Google will ask you to sign in again with your current password — this is a safety step to make sure it is really you making the change. Enter your current password 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 the first field. Make it something you can remember but that is not straightforward to guess — a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is strongest. Type the same password again in the second field to confirm it.
Click Change Password. Google will show you a confirmation message. Your password has now changed.
Step 4: Sign back into your Chromebook
Go back to your Chromebook and sign out. Click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen, then click Sign out. On the sign-in screen, enter your email address and your new password.
If you have other devices signed into this Google Account — a phone, tablet, or another computer — you will need to sign in with your new password on those too. Some devices may ask you to sign in the next time you open them; others may sign you out when ready.
What to do if you forget your new password
Google can send you a recovery code to get back into your account. On the sign-in screen, enter your email address. When it asks for your password, click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then send a code to your backup email address or phone number.
If you do not have a backup email or phone number on file, you may not be able to recover your account. Before you change your password, check that your recovery options are current. Go back to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to How you can recover your account, and make sure your phone number and backup email are correct.
Why your Chromebook asks for your password again
After you change your password, your Chromebook will not automatically sign you out. You may stay signed in for days or weeks. But the next time you restart your Chromebook or it needs to verify your identity, it will ask for your new password. This is normal — it does not mean something went wrong.
If you want to sign out right away to test your new password, click your profile picture in the bottom right, then click Sign out. This forces your Chromebook to ask for your password the next time you turn it on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my password on my Chromebook itself?
No. You can change your Google Account password on any device with a web browser — a phone, tablet, or another computer. The change takes effect everywhere at once, so you do not need to do anything special on your Chromebook.
What if I change my password and then forget it?
Go to the Google sign-in page, enter your email, click Forgot password?, and follow the steps. Google will send a recovery code to your backup email or phone number. If you do not have a backup email or phone number on file, you may lose access to your account, so set those up now.
Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail and YouTube?
Not when ready. You will stay signed in until you close your browser or your session expires. The next time you sign in, you will need your new password. If you want to sign out everywhere right now, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to Your devices, and click Sign out all other sessions.
Can I change my password if I forgot my current one?
No, you need your current password to change it. If you forgot it, click Forgot password? on the sign-in screen and follow Google's recovery steps. Once you are back in your account, you can change your password to something new.
How often should I change my password?
There is no rule that says you must change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone else knows it, if you used the same password on another website that got hacked, or if you just want to. A strong password that you do not reuse on other sites is more important than how often you change it.