- January 11, 2026
- by Sky Help Service
- Outlook
- 0 Comments
If you need to change your Outlook password, it can be done using Microsoft’s official account security process. To change Outlook password, you actually change your Microsoft account password, because Outlook.com and the Outlook apps all use the same credentials.
The new password is used in Outlook.com, the Outlook desktop customer, and the Outlook mobile application across devices after being updated. The entire process is less than five minutes when you already have your current password.
How to Change Outlook Password (Official Microsoft Method)
This is the official way to change Outlook password and is the same process used for how to change Outlook password on any device, because it updates your Microsoft account password at the source.
Use this method when you can still sign in and want to update your password for security reasons.
- Sign in to your Microsoft account
Go to the Microsoft account portal (account.microsoft.com) and sign in with your Outlook email and current password. - Go to Security → Password security
Open the Security tab, then select Password security or Change my password under the password section. - Verify your identity
Microsoft may send a one-time code to your recovery email, phone, or Authenticator app to confirm it is really you. - Enter your new password
Type your current password, then enter and confirm a new strong password that is unique to this account. - Save changes
Click Save or Submit to apply the new password and complete the change.
Important: Once you change Outlook password here, the new credentials are applied to Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and any other services linked to that Microsoft account, and you may be signed out on some devices until you log back in.
How to Change Password in Outlook on Desktop (Windows & Mac)
Outlook desktop client actually does not change password in Outlook on an account-level; it just stores the password that you already changed with your email address provider or with your Microsoft account.
In other words, for Outlook.com and Microsoft 365 accounts you change the Outlook password online first, then update or confirm it in the Outlook desktop profile if prompted.
In the case of Microsoft 365 / Outlook.com / Exchange accounts, Outlook usually detects the updated password automatically, picks up the new password, and only asks you to re-enter it.
In the case of POP3 / IMAP / SMTP (Gmail, Yahoo, own domains), the existing password in Outlook should be changed after the password has been changed with the provider.
Windows (classic Outlook):
Open Outlook → File → Account Settings → select the email account → Change → update the password field and complete the test to save it.
Where you do not see a password box when using an Exchange-based account, delete and add the account again, or go to Manage Profiles / Repair to make Outlook re-enter credentials.
Mac:
Open Outlook and, in Preferences, go to Accounts, select your mailbox, enter a new password in the password field, and save the dialog.
This solution will be consistent with queries such as change password in Outlook, Outlook change password and how do I change my Outlook password when the user is specifically troubleshooting the desktop client.
How to Change Outlook Password on Mobile (Android & iPhone)
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On mobile devices, the Outlook password is still changed through the Microsoft account. Using your Microsoft account or email account, the Outlook application just eats the new credentials. The workflow supports Android and iPhone devices, with or without Outlook.com, Microsoft 365, or any other IMAP/POP server. After this, you will reset your Outlook password.
Using a browser on mobile:
Open a browser on your phone, go to Outlook.com or the Microsoft account site, sign in, and follow the same steps to change Outlook password from the official method above.
Updating the Outlook mobile app after the change:
Open the Outlook app; if Outlook detects a change, it will prompt for your new password or to re-authenticate your Microsoft account.
If mail stops syncing or the app keeps asking for your old password, remove the account from the app and add it again with the updated credentials.
Change Outlook Password If You’re Still Logged In
When you are still logged into Outlook.com or Microsoft 365, you can change Outlook password proactively without running a full account recovery. This is ideal for routine security rotations or when you suspect unusual activity, while still giving you access to your inbox.
From Outlook.com, click your profile picture → My Microsoft account → Security → Password security / Change Outlook password.
Complete identity verification, enter your current password once, set a new one, and save to finalize the change.
Using this logged-in path answers queries like how to change my Outlook password and how do you change a password on Outlook when no recovery step is needed.
Common Issues While Changing Outlook Password
Users often search for “change password in Outlook” or “Outlook change password” because something breaks after the update rather than during the change itself. Most problems relate to cached credentials, offline profiles, or inconsistent updates across multiple devices.
Typical issues and resolutions:
- If you are changing your password rather than recovering it, follow the official steps described above.
- Password not updating in the Outlook app.
Make sure you first change the password with your provider or Microsoft account, then update it under Outlook Account Settings (for POP/IMAP) or run Repair / re-add the account for Exchange-based profiles. - “Something went wrong” or repeated sign-in prompts.
Clear any stored Windows credentials for that mailbox, restart Outlook, and re-enter the new password when asked; confirm that server names, ports, and encryption options are correct for IMAP/POP/SMTP accounts. - Outlook keeps asking for old password on mobile.
Open Outlook and, in Preferences, go to Accounts, select your mailbox, enter a new password in the password field, and save the dialog.
Security Tips After Changing Outlook Password
Once you change Outlook password, strengthening overall Outlook email security ensures the update actually reduces risk rather than just rotating credentials. Combining a strong secret with layered defenses makes it much harder for attackers to re‑compromise the account.
- Enable two-step verification (2FA)
Turn on two-step verification in your Microsoft account security settings and use an authenticator app or SMS codes to protect sign-ins. - Update recovery email and phone
Confirm that your recovery email address, mobile number, and security info are current so you can reset Outlook password if you ever forget it. - Avoid reused and weak passwords
Use a long, unique password or passphrase for Outlook that is not shared with any other site, ideally stored in a reputable password manager.
These practices directly support intent around “protect Outlook account from hackers” and “how often should I change my Outlook password” from a security-focused standpoint, but still, If issues continue on a work or school account, contact the account administrator.
For Outlook.com and personal Microsoft 365 accounts, your Outlook password is the same as your Microsoft account password, and changing it affects all connected Microsoft services. Your organization may manage work and school tenants, but the exact identity platform principle applies behind the scenes.
Modern guidance favors changing passwords when there is a specific risk signal (suspicious activity, breach notices) while ensuring they are strong, unique, and protected by two‑factor authentication instead of rotating weak passwords too frequently. Many organizations still enforce periodic changes (for example, every 60–90 days) for high‑risk accounts.
As you change your password in the Microsoft account, most of your current sessions in Outlook, OneDrive, and other related services will require you to re-sign in with the new password, particularly on new or unfamiliar devices. There are desktop or mobile applications that might continue to operate until they refresh their tokens, after which they will require you to specify credentials.
Yes, you can change Outlook password without a phone number as long as you have at least one other verified security method, such as a recovery email or an Authenticator app configured on your Microsoft account. If you do not have any working verification options available, you will be required to follow Microsoft’s account recovery procedure, which may require additional details before access can be restored.
