You cannot see your YouTube password, but you can reset it in minutes

YouTube does not show you your password — not even if you remember it. That is by design: if YouTube staff could see your password, hackers who break into YouTube could see it too. Instead, you reset your password through Google Account, which owns YouTube. The reset process takes about five minutes and works whether you remember your password or not.

If you can still log in to YouTube, you do not need to reset anything. If you cannot log in, or you want to change your password for security reasons, follow the steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube passwords are managed through your Google Account, not through YouTube itself, so you reset them on the Google Account page.
  • If you remember your current password, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, scroll to "How you sign in to Google", and click "Password" to change it.
  • If you do not remember your password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and answer security questions or use a recovery email to reset it.
  • You will need either a recovery email address you set up, a recovery phone number, or answers to security questions you created — whichever one you chose when you set up the account.
  • After you reset your password, you will be signed out of YouTube and all other Google services on all devices, and you will need to sign back in with your new password.

Reset your password if you can still log in

If you can sign into YouTube right now, the fastest way to change your password is through Google Account settings. Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. You may be asked to sign in again — use your current password.

Once you are in Google Account, look for the menu on the left side of the screen. Click "Security". Scroll down until you see a section called "How you sign in to Google". Click on "Password". Google will ask you to sign in one more time to confirm it is really you. Type your current password and click "Next". Then type your new password twice — once to enter it, once to confirm it — and click "Change password".

You will see a message saying your password has been changed. YouTube will sign you out on all your devices. The next time you open YouTube or any other Google service, you will need to sign in with your new password.

Reset your password if you cannot log in

If you cannot remember your password or cannot sign in for any reason, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery in a web browser. Type the email address or phone number connected to your YouTube account and click "Next".

Google will ask you to verify who you are. You will see one or more of these options: enter a code sent to your recovery email, enter a code sent to your recovery phone number, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Use whichever option is available to you. If you set up more than one recovery method, Google usually tries email first, then phone, then security questions.

Once you have verified your identity, Google will let you create a new password. Type it twice and click "Change password". You will then be able to sign back into YouTube with your new password.

What to do if you cannot verify your identity

If you do not have access to your recovery email or phone number, and you do not remember the answers to your security questions, Google has a longer verification process. On the recovery page, after you enter your email or phone number, look for a link that says "Can't access your account?" or "Try another way". Click it.

Google will ask you to answer questions about your account history — when you created it, what devices you use, what email addresses you have used with it. Answer as accurately as you can. This process can take a few hours or a few days. Google will send you an email when they have made a decision.

If you have a phone number or email address associated with your account, make sure that information is current and that you can access it. This is the fastest way to recover a locked account.

Prevent password problems before they happen

The easiest way to avoid being locked out is to set up recovery options now, while you can still sign in. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security", and scroll to "How you sign in to Google". Look for "Recovery email" and "Recovery phone". Add both if you can — if you lose access to one, you still have the other.

You can also set up security questions in the same section. Click "Security questions" and choose three questions you can answer reliably. Do not use information that is easy to guess or find online — use details only you would know.

Write down your recovery email and phone number somewhere safe, like a password manager or a locked drawer. If you ever cannot sign in, you will know exactly what to use to get back in.

What happens after you reset your password

When you change your password, Google signs you out everywhere — on your phone, your computer, your tablet, anywhere you were signed in. This is a security feature. If someone else had access to your account, they lose it when you change the password.

You will need to sign back in on each device. Open YouTube or Gmail or any Google service, click "Sign in", enter your email address, and enter your new password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (a security code sent to your phone), you will need to enter that code too.

If you see a device or location you do not recognize in your Google Account security settings after you reset your password, that may mean someone else had access. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security", scroll to "Your devices", and review the list. You can sign out of any device you do not recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my old YouTube password anywhere?

No. Google does not store passwords in a way that anyone — not even Google staff — can read them. If you need to know what your password is, you have to reset it and create a new one. This is a security feature that protects your account.

What if I forgot the email address I used to create my YouTube account?

If you can still sign in, go to myaccount.google.com and click "Personal info" to see what email address is on file. If you cannot sign in, try the recovery process with any email address you think might be connected to the account. Google will tell you if it is not found.

Do I need to change my password if I think someone else knows it?

Yes. Change it immediately using the steps above. Then go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security", and review "Your devices" to see if anyone else is signed in. Sign them out if you see unfamiliar devices or locations.

Will resetting my password delete my YouTube videos or subscriptions?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you sign in. All your videos, playlists, subscriptions, and watch history stay exactly as they are. You just need to sign back in with your new password.

How often should I change my YouTube password?

Change it if you think someone knows it, if you use the same password on multiple websites, or if you have not changed it in over a year. You do not need to change it every month unless your workplace or school requires it.