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Gmail has over a billion active users, with many relying on it as their primary email, often linked to various online accounts. Consequently, ensuring its security is essential. Regularly changing your passwords is the first step to keeping your Gmail account — and, therefore, your overall online presence — safe and sound. Here's a short guide on how you can change your Gmail password to a new one.
Contents:
How to reset a Gmail password on a computer
To change your password using any browser:
Go to your Google Account.
Click “Security” on the left.
Under “Signing in to Google,” choose “Password.”
Sign in again and enter your new password.
Click “Change password.”
How to change a Gmail password on Android
To change your password using an Android phone or tablet:
Go to your device's “Settings” > “Google” > “Manage your Google Account.”
Select “Security” at the top.
Under “Signing in to Google,” choose “Password.”
Sign in again and enter your new password.
Tap “Change password.”
How to reset a Gmail password on iPhone and iPad
To change your password using an iPhone or iPad:
Open the Gmail app and tap on your profile picture in the top right.
Tap “Manage your Google Account” and select “Personal info.”
In the Profile tab, choose “Password.”
Sign in again and enter your new password.
Tap “Change password.”
Note that you will automatically be signed out of all your devices once you change the password.
How to reset a Gmail password you forgot
To reset a forgotten Gmail password:
Visit the Gmail recovery page.
Enter your email address and click “Next.”
Since you've forgotten your password, click “Try another way.”
Gmail will allow you to choose how you would like to receive the recovery code if you've set up a recovery phone number associated with your account. Choose between “Text” and “Call.”
If you don't have your phone on you, you can click “I don't have my phone” at the bottom and proceed to the next step.
If you have another email associated with your Gmail account, Google will allow you to receive the recovery code to that email. Click “Send” to start this process.
If you don't have access to the recovery email account or have not set up your recovery phone, you will need to click “Try another way.” Google will then ask for an alternative email address that you can access. The team at Google will assess your situation individually and determine where they can help you recover the account.
Enter your recovery code.
Create a new password.
Setting up MFA
While you're in the process of resetting your Gmail password, you can also set up multi-factor authentication. Follow the same steps, but instead of choosing to change your password, click on 2-step verification and follow the instructions.
You can choose a phone prompt, where you will need to unlock your phone and prove that you – and not someone else – are trying to sign in. Another option is to get a six-digit code sent to your phone via SMS or a call. You can also use authenticator apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Duo Mobile, or Authy. Furthermore, you can obtain backup codes. However, one of the safest methods is using a security key. It's a small device you can connect to a smartphone or computer to prove it's you.
Why is MFA so important? A hacker can crack most passwords in a few hours if they have the right tools. Security questions are not a good way to protect your account either. The answers can be found online because most people willingly give away information about themselves. MFA offers an extra layer of reliable protection that drastically reduces the chances of your accounts getting hacked.
Remember to always pick a strong password
When you change your password, pick one that is hard to guess or crack. That means a password that has at least 12 characters, upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special symbols. Try our password generator for the best results — it will also tell you how strong your password is.
Also, remember not to reuse the newly created password for any of your other online accounts. You may follow all the rules for making your password strong, but it won't matter if you reuse it across multiple accounts. Say one of the online services or sites that you use gets breached. If hackers can get their hands on your super strong passwords, they will be able to enter any of your accounts that use that password.
You might think that long strings of random characters will be nearly impossible to remember. And you're right! So use a password manager like NordPass to store all your passwords safely.
NordPass syncs across all your devices so that you can use it at home, at work, and on the go. It encrypts your passwords on your device and then sends them to the cloud for safe storage. This way, even if someone manages to break into your vault, they won’t be able to decipher your passwords.
Get NordPass and enjoy peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
Once you change or reset your Gmail password, you'll be signed out from all devices. So, you'll have to log back in using the new password.
Your Gmail password is securely stored in your account settings, found under the Security section of your Gmail account. If forgotten, you can reset it using the account recovery options Google provides.
If you've lost access to both your phone number and recovery email, regaining access to your Gmail account can be quite difficult. Fortunately, Google offers a few extra recovery options like answering their in-depth security questionnaire or using previously logged-in devices. You may also need to contact Google’s customer support for assistance.
It's up to you how often you change your Gmail password. However, it's advised to update your passwords every few months for better account security. That being said, if you suspect any security breaches or notice unauthorized access attempts, change your Gmail password immediately.