The quickest way to change your Google password

Go to myaccount.google.com in your web browser, then click Security in the left menu. Scroll down to find Password and click it. Google will ask you to sign in again to confirm it's you, then you'll enter your current password once and your new password twice. Click Change password at the bottom, and you're done — the change takes effect immediately across all your Google services.

If you're signed into Google on your phone or computer, you'll stay signed in. On other devices where you're currently logged in, you'll be signed out automatically within a few hours. You'll need to sign back in with your new password on those devices.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your password through myaccount.google.com in the Security section, not through Gmail or another Google app.
  • Google requires you to enter your current password before setting a new one, as a security check.
  • The new password takes effect immediately, but other devices may take a few hours to sign you out automatically.
  • You'll need to sign back in on phones, tablets, and computers after the change, using your new password.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Google sign-in page instead of visiting myaccount.google.com.

What happens on your other devices after you change your password

When you change your password, Google automatically signs you out of all devices except the one you're currently using. This happens within a few hours, not instantly. On your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other device where you were signed in, you'll see a notification asking you to sign in again.

You don't need to do anything right away — the sign-out is automatic. But you will need to enter your new password the next time you try to use Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or any other Google service on that device. If you have multiple Google accounts on one device, only the account whose password you changed will be signed out.

Creating a strong new password

Google doesn't force you to use a specific type of password, but a strong one protects your account better. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your email address, or anything someone could guess from your social media.

If you have trouble remembering passwords, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you. Google's own password manager is built into Chrome and Android, and it can generate strong passwords for you. Other popular options include Bitwarden, 1Password, and LastPass.

If you use Google on apps outside of the web browser

Some apps — like Outlook, Apple Mail, or third-party calendar apps — connect to your Google account but don't use the normal Google sign-in screen. These apps use something called an app password, which is different from your regular Google password.

If you change your regular Google password and an app stops working, that app probably uses an app password. You'll need to generate a new app password for it. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, scroll to App passwords, select the app and device, and Google will generate a 16-character password to paste into that app. Your regular password change won't affect these app passwords — you only need to update them if the app stops connecting.

Recovering access if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it, you can recover your account through the Google sign-in page. Go to accounts.google.com/signin, enter your email address, and click Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then send a recovery code to your backup email address or phone number.

This is why keeping your backup email and phone number current matters — Google uses them to confirm you own the account. If you don't have access to your backup email or phone, Google has other ways to verify your identity, but the process takes longer. You can update your backup contact information anytime in the Security section of myaccount.google.com.

Changing your password on a shared or public computer

If you change your Google password on a computer you share with others or on a public computer like one at a library, take an extra step after you finish. Sign out of your Google account completely by clicking your profile picture in the top right of myaccount.google.com and selecting Sign out. This prevents the next person who uses that computer from accessing your account.

On a shared home computer, you might want to stay signed in for convenience, but make sure you're the only person with access to that computer's user account. On a public computer, always sign out — even if you're just changing your password and leaving immediately.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

You don't need to change your password every month if it's strong and you're the only one who knows it. But there are times when changing it makes sense: if you think someone else knows your password, if you've reused the same password on multiple websites and one of those websites was hacked, or if you haven't changed it in several years.

If you suspect someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password right away, then check the Security section of myaccount.google.com for suspicious activity. You can see which devices are signed into your account and remove any you don't recognize. If you see unfamiliar sign-in locations or activity, you can also review which apps have access to your account and revoke access from any you don't use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password sign me out of Gmail on my phone?

Not immediately. Google automatically signs you out within a few hours, but you'll stay signed in until then. When the automatic sign-out happens, you'll see a notification asking you to sign in again with your new password. You don't need to do anything until you see that notification.

Can I change my password if I'm using a school or work Google account?

It depends on your organization's settings. If your school or employer manages your account, they may have restricted password changes. Try going to myaccount.google.com and clicking Security — if you can't find the Password option, your organization has locked it. Contact your school's IT department or your company's help desk to change your password.

What if I change my password but an app keeps asking me to sign in?

The app probably uses an app password rather than your regular password. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, find App passwords, and generate a new one for that specific app. Paste the 16-character code into the app instead of your regular password.

Do I need to change my password if I change my recovery email or phone number?

No. Updating your backup email or phone number is separate from changing your password. You can update your recovery information anytime in the Security section of myaccount.google.com without touching your password.