To change your Gmail password, open your Google Account, go to Security, select “Password” under “How you sign in to Google,” enter your current password, then type and confirm a new one.
Gmail does not use a separate password. Your Gmail login is your Google Account login, so changing it updates the password for everything tied to that account: YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Play, and any phone, tablet, or app that signs in with it. The steps below reflect the current Google Account interface on a computer and in the Gmail app.
Before you start
Have your current password ready, because Google asks you to confirm it before setting a new one. It also helps to be on a trusted device and a stable connection, since changing your password signs you out of most other active sessions. If you already use a password manager, open it so you can save the new password immediately rather than trying to memorize it on the spot.
How to change your password on a computer
- Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in if prompted.
- In the left menu, click Security.
- Under How you sign in to Google, click Password. Google may ask you to re-enter your current password to verify it is you.
- Type your new password, then type it again to confirm. It must be at least 8 characters.
- Click Change password.
You can also start from Gmail itself: click the gear icon, choose See all settings, open the Accounts and Import tab, and click Change password, which sends you to the same Google Account page.
How to change it in the Gmail app
The steps are the same on Android and iPhone, because both open the Google Account security page inside the app.
- Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Tap Manage your Google Account.
- Swipe across the top tabs and tap Security.
- Under How you sign in to Google, tap Password and verify your identity if asked.
- Enter the new password twice and tap Change Password.
Where to find the setting on each device
| Device | Path to the password setting |
|---|---|
| Computer (any browser) | myaccount.google.com > Security > Password |
| Gmail web | Settings gear > See all settings > Accounts and Import > Change password |
| Gmail app (Android) | Profile picture > Manage your Google Account > Security > Password |
| Gmail app (iPhone) | Profile picture > Manage your Google Account > Security > Password |
How to choose a strong password
Google requires at least 8 characters, but length and uniqueness matter far more than swapping in a few symbols. A memorable passphrase of several unrelated words is both stronger and easier to type than a short, cryptic string. Never reuse a password from another site; if that site is breached, attackers try the same combination on Gmail first. A password manager removes the need to remember each one, and while you are reviewing security settings it is worth turning on 2-Step Verification, which blocks most account takeovers even if a password leaks. If you are new to that feature, our explainer on what two-factor authentication is walks through how it works.
What happens after you change it
Once the new password is saved, Google signs you out of most other sessions and devices, so expect to sign in again on your phone, other browsers, and smart devices. Third-party mail clients such as Outlook or Apple Mail will stop syncing until you update the stored password, and if you rely on app passwords for older software you may need to generate new ones. Browsers that saved the old password will prompt you to update it; if you manage credentials on an Apple device, our guide to viewing saved passwords on iPhone explains where those are kept. Taking a moment to refresh saved logins now prevents the confusing sync errors that otherwise appear a day or two later.
If you forgot your current password
If you cannot recall the existing password, do not keep guessing. Go to the sign-in screen and click Forgot password?, or visit g.co/recover. Google verifies your identity with a recovery phone number, a recovery email address, or a prompt sent to a device you are already signed in on, then lets you set a new password directly. Keeping your recovery details current is the single best way to avoid being locked out.
Common problems and how to fix them
If Google rejects your new password, it is usually because it is too short, too common, or identical to a recent one, so choose something longer and genuinely unique. If you are asked to verify your identity but never receive the code, confirm that your recovery phone number and email are current and check your spam folder. On a work or school account, an administrator may enforce password rules or block changes entirely, in which case your IT team has to make the change. If you reset the password because you suspect someone else had access, run Google’s Security Checkup at myaccount.google.com/security-checkup afterward to review recent sign-in activity, connected devices, and any third-party apps that still have access, and remove anything you do not recognize. That review is often more important than the password change itself, because a lingering app connection can quietly restore an intruder’s foothold.
Keep tidying your inbox
A password refresh is a natural time to review the rest of your account. If you send time-sensitive messages, it is worth learning to schedule an email in Gmail so it lands at the right moment, and knowing how to unsend an email in Gmail can save you from an embarrassing mistake. Users who route mail elsewhere may also want to check how to forward emails in Gmail so nothing slips through after you sign back in on your devices.
