Changing your password

Change your password under Password in Security, with your current password. The new one needs at least 8 characters, an uppercase and a lowercase letter, a number and a special character. Saving it signs out every other device.

Before you change it

• You need your current password. If you have forgotten it, see Resetting a forgotten password.
• An account made with Google or GitHub has no password until you set one with Forgot password on the sign-in page.

How to change your password

1. 1.

   Open Settings → Security and find Password.

2. 2.

   Type your current password in Current password.

3. 3.

   Type the new one in New password and again in Confirm new password. Suggest a strong password fills both for you; the eye shows what you typed.

4. 4.

   Choose Update Password. The banner reads Password updated, and your other devices are signed out.

What happens next

We email you that your password was changed, with the time. Every other device signed in to your account is signed out and has to sign in again with the new password. The device you used stays signed in.

If you get that email and did not make the change, reset your password at once with Forgot password on the sign-in page. A reset signs out every device, this one included.

Rules and limits

• A new password meets 5 rules: at least 8 characters, an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number and a special character.
• The special characters that count are the usual keyboard symbols, such as ! @ # $ % and &. A space, a tilde and a pound sign do not.
• The Strength meter under the new password rates it from Weak to Strong.
• After 10 wrong current passwords in 10 minutes, the form refuses further tries for a few minutes.
• Use a password you use nowhere else, as section 5 of Account & Identity asks.

If something goes wrong

"Current password is incorrect."

Check it and try again, or reset it with Forgot password.

"Use at least 8 characters, with upper and lower case, a number and a special character."

One of the 5 rules is missing.

"New passwords do not match."

The two new entries differ. Type them again.

"Too many password attempts. Wait a few minutes and try again."

You made 10 tries in 10 minutes. Wait, then try once more.

"Your account signs in with Google or GitHub, so it has no password yet…"

Set one with Forgot password first.

"Failed to update password."

Nothing changed. Reload the page and try again.