Have you looked at your email password lately? If not, it‘s time for an upgrade!
This friendly guide will teach you how to change your Gmail password on both computers and phones to block intruders. You‘ll also learn exactly when you should reset credentials to stay secure, plus tips for creating stronger passwords that fully protect your inbox.
Let‘s get started!
Why Changing Gmail Passwords Regularly Matters
That eight character password you set up years ago probably isn’t cutting it anymore amid rising cyber threats.
According to 2021 FBI statistics, the average loss per email account that gets compromised is $2,200. Yet only 17% of users update their passwords annually.
With Gmail coordinating access across your digital life, it represents a jackpot for hackers. Even savvy friends fall for phishing scams that drain bank accounts.
Once malicious actors access an inbox, victims rarely recover losses fully.
Thankfully, a few simple precautions go a long way…
Fun Security Fact: Google blocks over 100 million spam messages and 18 million hacking attempts daily!
Exactly When to Change Your Password
"Change your passwords regularly" sounds nice, but when should you actually reset your Gmail credentials?
Here are five scenarios that signal time to refresh:
Major security incidents like website breaches or database leaks. If platforms containing any of your login credentials get compromised, change related passwords everywhere else ASAP.
Logging into unfamiliar devices, especially public ones. Typing passwords on a shared library computer means keyloggers could capture the entry. Once home, quickly change it.
After sharing access with friends or family, even temporarily. Well-meaning siblings might offer to set up your new laptop but then forget to logout from your Gmail. Reclaim sole access with an updated password.
Noticing unusual activity like spam texts or unfamiliar device logins. These signal your account got compromised, likely by phishing schemes. Reset credentials and scan all devices to eliminate threats.
Regular time intervals as general best practice. Experts universally recommend updating passwords every 60-90 days on important accounts. Set calendar reminders to avoid forgetting!
Changed your Uber password today? Every reset makes life harder for bad actors.
Step-by-Step: Changing Gmail Password on a Computer
Let‘s get hands-on. Follow these simple steps to change your Gmail password on desktop or laptop:
Step 1.) Navigate to Gmail & Login
From any browser, proceed to gmail.com and sign into the account whose password you want to change.
Pro Tip: If you can‘t remember your current password, click "Forgot password" for help recovering it before proceeding.
Step 2.) Click Your Profile Picture in Top Right
In the top right corner, click the circular icon showing your profile picture or initials. This opens an account options menu.
Step 3.) Select "Manage Your Google Account"
In the menu, click the option reading “Manage your Google Account”. This will open your dashboard in a new tab.
Step 4.) Click Security in Left Sidebar
On the dashboard page, choose "Security" in the left sidebar. It has an icon showing a shield.
Step 5.) Under “Signing into Google” Click Password
Scroll down to the box labelled “Signing into Google” then click the arrow beside “Password” and select it.
Step 6.) Enter Your Current Password When Prompted
A popup will request your current password to confirm it‘s really you. Carefully type this in then click blue Next button.
If you can’t recall the current one, click “Forgot password” for help.
Step 7.) Enter & Confirm New Preferred Password
On the change password screen, type your new preferred password taking care to include:
- Minimum 12 characters
- Uppercase and lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Symbols
Then in the “Confirm” field below, retype the new password identically.
Step 8.) Click Change Password
Double check that everything looks accurate before clicking the blue “Change Password” button at bottom to finalize your updated credentials!
Celebrate knowing intruders got locked out. But we‘re not done yet…
Here are step-by-step instructions tailored for smaller screens:
Walkthrough for Changing Gmail Password on Phones
What if you need to update your Gmail password on an iPhone, Android or other mobile device? The process looks nearly identical:
Step 1.) Open the Gmail Mobile App
Locate and tap the Gmail app icon to launch the mobile application. Sign into the account needing a refreshed password.
Step 2.) Tap Your Profile Picture
At top right, tap the circular profile picture or initials icon to view account options.
Step 3.) Tap “Manage Your Google Account”
Below your email address in the menu, tap the line reading "Manage your Google Account" to access settings.
Step 4.) Tap Security in Top Options Bar
Swipe left on the top options showing icons until you see a shield symbol. Tap this Security link.
Don‘t see it? It may say “Privacy” or “Password” on some versions – both lead to the right spot.
Step 5.) Under “Signing into Google” Section, Tap Password
Scroll down to the “Signing into Google” box and tap Password just like on desktop.
Step 6.) Enter Your Current Password When Prompted
Carefully type your current password when requested then tap blue Next button to proceed.
Forgot the current one? Tap “Forgot password” for help.
Step 7.) Enter & Confirm New Password
On the change password screen, carefully enter your new preferred password with minimum 12 characters, uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
In “Confirm” field below, retype the new password identically.
Step 8.) Tap Change Password
Double and triple check accuracy, then tap the blue “Change Password” button to finalize credential update!
You‘ve now successfully changed your password across mobile and desktop. But we can‘t relax too long…
What Happens Once You Change Gmail Password?
Right after changing your password, Google automatically signs your account out everywhere it was previously signed in across:
- Old phones
- Little-used tablets
- Previous work computers
- Hotel TV logins
- Random apps you connected years ago!
It‘s an important security precaution, but also means you must sign back in on all devices using the new password next visit.
The separation applies everywhere except:
- Primary home devices like phones or laptops
- Apps you explicitly granted ongoing access permission
- Accounts with two-factor authentication
So expect to type those new characters a few times as you reconnect gadgets. But limiting outdated logins offers peace of mind despite the mild annoyance.
Choosing Your New Gmail Password Wisely
Time to put on our password security expert hats!
The overall password "strength" makes a massive difference resisting attacks. Follow these best practices when creating new credentials:
Tip 1.) Reach 12+ Characters Long
Length counts! Short passwords succumb to automated brute force attacks trying all number/letter combinations at lightning speed.
But at 12+ characters guesswork slows dramatically – buying you time to spot misuse.
Tip 2.) Mix Letters, Numbers, Symbols
Unpredictability prevents dictionary attacks identifying common word patterns and substitutions.
Blend everything:
- Uppercase & lowercase (Ex: +T3chM@ster+)
- Numbers
- Symbols
Tip 3.) Avoid Personal Info
Full names, birthdates or dictionary words offer easy guesses from public records or lists.
Tip 4.) Consider Passphrases
Random word strings loosely joined together seem nonsensical but remain easier to remember and type than random characters.
For example: CorrectHorseBatteryStapleAuth2022
Tip 5.) Never Reuse Passwords!
If your Gmail password gets exposed through anaccount on a compromised site, wider impact gets contained if that one password wasn‘t reused elsewhere.
How Secure is Your New Password? Quick Checks
Wondering how your new password stacks up? Try these analyzer tools:
They score overall resistance to common attacks.
Target 80+ scores for important accounts like Gmail, but don‘t stress lower numbers on websites holding minimal data.
What If You Forget Your New Gmail Password?
Uh oh… changed your password but now can‘t login to Gmail? We‘ve all been there.
Thankfully password recovery only takes seconds:
On Desktop:
- Visit Gmail and click "Forgot password?"
- Enter the email address tied to the account
- Open password reset instructions from Google in your alternate email
- Follow prompts to create a new password
On Mobile:
- Open Gmail app and tap "Forgot password?" on sign-in
- Confirm account ownership if prompted
- Create new password per on-screen cues
You‘ll be back in Gmail in less than five minutes!
Locking Down Gmail Even More: Two-Factor Authentication
Regular password changes boost security dramatically against outsiders. But protecting accounts from password leaks in major company breaches requires an extra safeguard.
That‘s where two-factor authentication (2FA) shines.
After entering passwords, 2FA forces confirming identity through:
- SMS text codes to your phone
- Approval apps like Google Authenticator
- USB security keys
So even 100% correct passwords don‘t grant access alone.
Activating 2FA on important accounts like Gmail prevents 99.9% of automated attacks from compromised passwords.
Here are quick instructions to enable it:
On Desktop
- Follow steps above to open Google Account settings
- Under "Security" choose 2-Step Verification
- Select preferred 2nd factor verification method
- Confirm phone or Authenticator setup
On Mobile
- Open account Management in Gmail
- Tap Security > 2-Step Verification
- Choose SMS texts or Approval App options
- Follow prompts to enable and set up
With both regularly changed passwords AND two-factor authentication, your Gmail approaches Fort Knox levels of security.
Let‘s Recap!
Phew – We covered a ton of ground helping you reclaim control over inbox security!
In this actionable guide you discovered:
✅ Exactly when passwords need changing based on potential exposure
✅ Step-by-step password change walkthroughs for desktop & mobile
✅ What happens next & what to expect after changing credentials
✅ Password selection best practices like length, complexity & uniqueness
✅ Recovery steps if you forget the new password later
✅ Enabling two-factor authentication for maximum safety
Now put that newfound knowledge into action for refreshed defenses! Just set a calendar reminder so this doesn’t become a one-time event either.
Stay safe out there as we confront worsening cyber threats together!
