The fastest way to sign in to Hotmail
Go to outlook.com in your web browser. Hotmail accounts now run through Outlook, so you sign in at the same place whether your email address ends in @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com. Enter your full email address and password, then click "Sign in".
If you have two-step verification turned on (a security feature that sends a code to your phone), you will be asked for that code after you enter your password. Check your phone for a text message or notification from Microsoft, enter the code on the sign-in screen, and you will be logged in.
Once you are signed in, your inbox appears. You can read, send, and organize emails from there. If you want to stay signed in on that device, check the box that says "Keep me signed in" before you click Sign in — this means you will not have to enter your password the next time you visit outlook.com on that computer.
Key Takeaways
- Hotmail accounts sign in through outlook.com, not a separate Hotmail website.
- Use your full email address (the part with @hotmail.com or @outlook.com) and your password to sign in.
- If you have two-step verification on, you will need a code from your phone or authenticator app after you enter your password.
- You can use Outlook on the web, the Outlook app on your phone, or add your account to mail apps like Apple Mail or Gmail's interface.
What to do if you cannot remember your password
On the outlook.com sign-in page, click "Can't access your account?" below the password field. Microsoft will ask you to enter your email address, then offer you ways to prove you own that account. You can choose to receive a code by text to a phone number you registered, by email to a recovery email address you set up, or by answering security questions you created.
Once you prove your identity using one of those methods, you will be taken to a screen where you can create a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something you can remember — write it down somewhere safe if you need to. After you set the new password, you can sign in normally.
Signing in on your phone or tablet
You have two main options. The first is to open a web browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android) and go to outlook.com, then sign in the same way you would on a computer. The second is to download the Outlook app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), open it, and tap "Add Account". Enter your email address and password, and the app will set up your account automatically.
The Outlook app is often easier on a phone because it shows your inbox in a format designed for a small screen, and it can send you notifications when new mail arrives. If you use the web version in a browser, you get the same inbox but without notifications unless you turn on browser notifications in your phone's settings.
Adding Hotmail to other email apps
If you prefer to read your Hotmail in Apple Mail (on iPhone or Mac), Gmail's interface, or another email app, you can add your account there instead of using Outlook. The steps vary slightly by app, but they all ask for your email address and password.
Some apps may ask for an "app password" instead of your regular password — this happens when you have two-step verification turned on. If the app rejects your regular password, go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security" on the left, then "App passwords" (you may need to sign in again). Microsoft will generate a 16-character password that works only with that app. Use that instead of your regular password.
Staying secure when you sign in
Always sign in at outlook.com or through the official Outlook app, not through a link in an email or a website you are not sure about. Scammers sometimes send fake sign-in pages that look like Outlook but steal your password. If you receive an email asking you to "verify your account" or "confirm your password", do not click the link — go directly to outlook.com instead.
Turn on two-step verification if you have not already. Go to account.microsoft.com, click "Security", then "Two-step verification", and follow the steps to add your phone number. This means that even if someone gets your password, they cannot sign in without a code from your phone.
What to do if your account was hacked
If you cannot sign in because you think someone else changed your password, or if you see emails in your sent folder that you did not send, go to account.microsoft.com/security and click "Recent activity". This shows every device that has signed into your account and where it signed in from. If you see a location or device you do not recognize, click it and select "This wasn't me".
Then go to "Security" and click "Change password". Create a new password that is different from any you have used before. If you cannot get into account.microsoft.com because you do not remember your password, use the "Can't access your account?" link on the outlook.com sign-in page (described above) to reset it first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same password on multiple websites?
No. If one website gets hacked and your password is stolen, hackers can try that same password on your Hotmail, your bank, and other sites. Use a different password for each important account. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can store them safely so you only have to remember one master password.
What if I see "We couldn't sign you in" but I know my password is correct?
Your account may be temporarily locked for security reasons, or your internet connection may be having trouble. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues, use "Can't access your account?" to reset your password. If that does not work, you may need to contact Microsoft support through account.microsoft.com.
Is it safe to check "Keep me signed in" on a shared computer?
No. On a shared computer — like one at a library, school, or internet cafe — do not check "Keep me signed in". Anyone who uses that computer after you can read your emails and send messages as you. On your own personal computer or phone, it is safe to use.
Why does Outlook ask for my phone number when I sign in?
This usually means Microsoft detected something unusual about the sign-in — a new device, a different location, or an unusual time. It is a security check. You can receive the code by text or through the Microsoft Authenticator app. Once you enter the code, you will be signed in and Microsoft will remember that device.