Tech Reference

How to change your AOL password or reset it if you've forgotten it

laptop working finances
It's easy to change your AOL password, even if you don't know it. Maskot/Getty Images
Read in app

Like any internet account, you should give your AOL account a strong password. But no matter how strong your password is, you should try to change the password from time to time.

This is especially important if you think your account has been hacked or compromised in some way.

There are two ways to change your AOL password. Luckily, you can do either using any internet browser on your Mac or PC. Here's how.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to change your AOL password if you know your existing password

1. Open a browser and go to AOL.com. If you're not already logged into your AOL account, sign in now. 

2. Click your profile picture in the top-right of the web page. You'll be brought to your account page.

3. In the navigation pane on the left, click "Account Security."

4. Click "Change password."

How to change your AOL password 1
You can change your password at any time from the Account Security page.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. Enter the new password you want to use, and then enter it again to confirm you typed it correctly. You can click "Show password" if that makes it easier to type. When you're done, click "Continue."

Your new password will be saved.

How to reset your AOL password if you've forgotten your password

1. Open a browser and go to AOL.com. On the Sign in page, enter your username and click "Next."

2. On the page to enter your password, click "Forgot password?" 

How to change your AOL password 2
If you don't know your password, reset it from the sign-in page.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. Follow the instructions to reset your password. The process will vary depending upon what kind of security method you've set up. For example, AOL might send a one-time verification code to your email address. After you enter the code, you'll be given the option to change your password.

Related coverage from Tech Reference: 

Read next

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.