Keep Your Computer Safe: How to Change Your Gmail Password

Gmail password changes help secure your account

Updating your Gmail password is like a new lock and key for your emails.
StockUnlimited
by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated November 01, 2018

Changing your email password regularly protects your information from hackers and keeps your messages secure. Here's how to accomplish the task in just a few simple steps.

Remember that all Google products use the same account information. When you change your Gmail password, you're really changing your Google account password, meaning you'll have to log in with this new password when using any Google product like YouTube, Google Photos, Google Maps, etc.

If this Gmail password change is due to forgetting your password, you can recover your forgotten password with a few simple steps.

Important

If you suspect that your account was hacked, it's best to scan the computer for malware and keylogging software before you update the Gmail password. See the bottom of this page for additional tips on keeping your Gmail account secure.

01
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Open Gmail's Settings

Select Settings from the menu.
Select Settings from the menu. Google, Inc.

Changing a Gmail password is accomplished through the Settings page in your Gmail account:

  1. Open Gmail.
  2. Click the Settings gear icon (⚙) from the top right of Gmail.
  3. Select Settings from the menu.

Tip

 A really quick way to jump right into ​Settings is to open this General Settings link.

02
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Go Into the 'Accounts and Import' Section

Follow the Change password link under Change account settings:
Follow the Change password link under Change account settings:. Google, Inc.

Now that you're in your Gmail settings, you need to access a different tab from the top menu:

  1. Choose Accounts and Import from the top of Gmail.
  2. Under the Change account settings: section, click or tap Change password.
03
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Enter Your Current Gmail Password

Type your current Gmail password over Password under Please re-enter your password.
Type your current Gmail password over Password under Please re-enter your password. Google, Inc.

Before you can change your Google account password, you must verify that you know the current password:

  1. Enter your existing password in the Enter your password textbox.
  2. Click or tap the NEXT button.
04
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Enter a New Gmail Password

Enter the new password twice, over New password: and Repeat new password:.
Enter the new password twice, over New password: and Repeat new password:. Google, Inc.

It's now time to enter a new password for Gmail:

  1. Enter the new password in the first textbox.
  2. Enter the same password a second time in the second textbox to ensure that you've typed it correctly.
  3. Click or tap CHANGE PASSWORD.

Tip

Make sure you choose a secure, hack-proof password. If you pick an ultra-strong password, store it in a free password manager so that you never lose it.

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Additional Steps to Secure Your Gmail Account

Set up Authenticator for Gmail
Set up Authenticator for Gmail. Google, Inc.

If you've been a victim of password theft or are worried that someone else might be using your Gmail account that you've left logged in on a public computer, consider these tips: