How to Change Email Password on iPhone

In today’s digital world, email is one of the main ways we communicate, both personally and professionally. It contains sensitive information like personal conversations, financial data, work documents, and more. Having a strong email password is crucial for keeping your important information secure. But passwords should be changed periodically to further protect your accounts. On iPhone devices, changing an email password is simple and straightforward. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process step-by-step. You’ll learn the importance of updating passwords, how to change the password for any email account on your iPhone, troubleshooting tips, and much more. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways:
- Changing email passwords regularly is vital for security.
- The process to change an email password on iPhone takes just a few taps.
- You can update the password for any email account on your iPhone.
- If you forget your password, you can reset it through password recovery options.
- With the right steps, you can change your email password easily on iPhone.
Introduction
With how much personal and sensitive data is accessed through our email accounts, having strong passwords is more important than ever. According to a recent survey, about 21% of internet users don’t change their passwords regularly, leaving themselves vulnerable to security breaches.

To protect your personal and professional information, cybersecurity experts recommend updating your passwords every 60 to 90 days. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your accounts, even if they manage to get your password somehow.
On iPhone devices, changing email passwords is a quick and easy process thanks to the intuitive iOS interface. In just a few simple steps, you can update the password for your iCloud email, Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any other account configured on your device.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about changing email passwords on an iPhone:
- Step-by-step instructions for changing email passwords
- Tips for creating strong, unique passwords
- What to do if you forget your password
- Troubleshooting help if you have issues updating your password
Whether you want to proactively improve your email security or have noticed suspicious activity on one of your accounts, this guide has you covered. Let’s dive in!
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Email Password on iPhone
Changing your email password on an iPhone device is quick and straightforward, especially once you know the steps. Here is an overview of the process:
- Open the Settings app
- Select Passwords & Accounts
- Choose the account you want to update
- Tap on the Password option
- Enter and confirm your new password
- Save the changes
Now let’s look at each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
The first step is simple—launch the Settings app on your iPhone. The app icon looks like gears on a white background.
To open Settings:
- Swipe right from the home screen to access the iPhone menu, then tap the Settings icon.
- Or, swipe down from the top right corner to open Search, type in “Settings”, and tap the Search result.
Once Settings opens, you’ll see various options for customizing your device.
Opening the Settings app is the first step to changing your email password.
Step 2: Select Passwords & Accounts
Next, you need to navigate to the Passwords & Accounts menu.
- Scroll down through the Settings options until you find Passwords & Accounts.
- Or, use the Search bar at the top of Settings to quickly find it.
This screen shows all your configured email accounts, social media profiles, and internet accounts.
The Passwords & Accounts menu displays your email accounts.
Step 3: Choose the Email Account
Once you’re in the Passwords & Accounts menu, tap on the email account whose password you want to change.
For example, if you need to update your Outlook password, select your Outlook account. If you want to change your Yahoo Mail password, tap on the Yahoo Mail option.
This will open more settings specific to that email account.
Choose the specific email account to change the password for.
Step 4: Tap Password
With your email account open, tap on Password to change it.
This will prompt you to enter your current password first, to verify your identity. Type in the existing password and tap OK.
If you’ve forgotten your current password, don’t worry—we’ll cover password reset options shortly.
Select Password to change your current email password.
Step 5: Enter and Confirm New Password
After entering your current password, you’ll see fields to type in your new password twice.
Come up with a strong, unique password:
- Use 8 or more characters, combining letters, numbers and symbols.
- Avoid dictionary words or personal information.
- Don’t reuse passwords across accounts.
Enter your new password carefully, then retype it in the confirm field. Finally, tap Done at the top right to save your new credential.
Enter and confirm your new password, then tap Done.
Step 6: Save Changes
That’s it! With your new, stronger password saved, your email account is now much more secure.
To double check, open your iPhone email app and try logging in with your new password. You should now be able to access your account seamlessly.
We recommend updating passwords regularly for all your sensitive accounts. So go through these steps again when it’s time to reset your other passwords.
And be sure to use unique passwords for each account, so one compromised password doesn’t put all your information at risk.
Use your new password to access your iPhone email as normal.
Now that you’re a pro at changing email passwords on iPhone, let’s look at some tips for password security.
Tips for Creating Strong, Secure Passwords
When choosing a new email password during this process, it’s important to make it as strong and secure as possible.
Here are tips to create a robust, hacker-proof password:
- Use 8 characters minimum – Short passwords are easier for computers to crack. Use at least 8 characters or more.
- Mix letters, numbers and symbols – Passphrases using all types of characters are stronger.
- Avoid personal info – Don’t include your name, birthday, pet’s name, or other info easily tied to you.
- Don’t use dictionary words – Simple words are vulnerable to dictionary attacks. Opt for random combinations.
- Don’t reuse passwords – Unique passwords for each account limits damage if one is compromised.
You can also use a password manager tool like LastPass or 1Password to generate and store strong, randomized passwords for all your accounts.
Use these tips to create hacker-proof email passwords.
Taking the time to create a truly strong password will keep your email secure from unauthorized access.
What If You Forget Your Email Password
Let’s say you go to change your email password on your iPhone, but realize you can’t remember your current password. Don’t panic! All popular email providers have password recovery options to help regain access.
Here are the steps to reset a forgotten email password:
iCloud Email
If you forgot your iCloud email password:
- On your iPhone, tap Forgot Password when prompted for the password.
- Enter your Apple ID used for iCloud and complete two-factor authentication.
- Apple will email you a verification code to reset your password via iForgot.apple.com.
Gmail
If you forgot your Gmail password:
- Visit Gmail password recovery on a computer.
- Click Try another way and enter your Gmail address.
- Complete the steps shown, like verifying your phone number, to reset your password.
Outlook.com
If you forgot your Outlook.com password:
- Go to Outlook password reset and enter your email address.
- Complete password reset verification steps via text or alternate email.
- Once verified, you’ll be prompted to create a new Outlook.com password.
Yahoo Mail
If you forgot your Yahoo Mail password:
- Go to Yahoo account recovery and enter your Yahoo email address.
- Yahoo will email a password reset link to your alternate or recovery email on file.
- This link lets you create a new Yahoo Mail password.
For any other email providers, check their official password reset guidance. With the right verification steps, you can securely regain access to your account.
Use email providers’ password recovery tools to reset forgotten passwords.
Don’t let a forgotten password prevent you from updating your email security. Take advantage of password reset options as soon as possible.
Troubleshooting Password Change Problems
In most cases, switching to a new email password on your iPhone is quick and seamless. But if you run into trouble, here are solutions for common issues:
Can’t change password – If the Password option is greyed out when you try to change it, your iPhone may not have the newest verification update from your email provider. Open your iPhone email app, tap the account name, try updating account settings, then return to the Password screen.
Verifying identity fails – When entering your current password to change it, verification can fail if you type it incorrectly or have an outdated credential saved on your device. Try carefully retyping the password or reset it if forgotten.
New password won’t work – If your new password isn’t being accepted, make sure you entered it correctly twice to confirm. Also try manually typing it rather than using auto-fill. Close and reopen the email app to reset the password change.
Multi-factor authentication issues – If your email uses multi-factor logins, ensure you have access to the authenticator app or phone number for verification codes. You may need to enter a generated code during the password change process.
Other devices now logged out – Changing your email password will sign out other devices to protect your account. You’ll have to enter the new password on your other phones, computers and tablets as well.
If you continue having trouble updating your password, contact your email provider’s customer support for account-specific assistance.
Contact your email provider for help if you have ongoing password change issues.
With some targeted troubleshooting, you should be able to resolve most hiccups that arise when changing your email password on iPhone.
Conclusion
As email continues to be a primary mode of online communication and account management, strong password security is more crucial than ever. Updating your passwords regularly on iPhone is an easy best practice to keep your accounts protected.
In this guide, we covered the quick steps to change your email password in iOS. With just a few taps in the Settings menu, you can easily update your password for iCloud, Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo or any other email provider configured on your device.
We also explored some top tips for creating hacker-proof passwords, steps to take if you forget your current password, and troubleshooting for any errors that arise.
While passwords may seem mundane, taking a few minutes to change them every 60-90 days is time well spent. Combine unique passwords with two-factor authentication for rock-solid email security on your iPhone.
So the next time you get a password expiration notice, or just feel it’s time for better security, revisit this guide. In no time at all, you’ll be set up with a new, ultra-strong credential that keeps snoops and scammers at bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I change my email password on iPhone?
A: Open the Settings app, select “Passwords & Accounts,” choose the email account, tap “Account,” then “Password,” and enter the new password.
Q: Can I change my email password on iPhone if I forgot it?
A: You will need to reset your email password through your email provider’s website.
Q: Why should I change my email password on iPhone?
A: Changing your email password regularly can help protect your account from unauthorized access.
Q: What if I can’t change my email password on iPhone?
A: Try deleting and re-adding the email account, or contact your email provider for assistance.
Q: Will changing my email password on iPhone affect my email on other devices?
A: Yes, you will need to update the password on all devices that access the email account.
Q: How often should I change my email password on iPhone?
A: It is recommended to change your email password every 3-6 months.
Q: Can I use a password manager to change my email password on iPhone?
A: Yes, you can use a password manager app to generate and store a strong password for your email account.
Q: What if I have multiple email accounts on my iPhone?
A: You will need to change the password for each email account separately.
Q: Is it safe to change my email password on iPhone while using public Wi-Fi?
A: It is recommended to change your email password on a secure network to avoid potential security risks.
Q: What if I still can’t change my email password on iPhone after trying all troubleshooting tips?
A: Contact your email provider’s customer support for further assistance.