Key takeaway
Change the password only in the provider’s official app or website. Then reauthenticate the account on the iPhone; if the password is forgotten, use the provider’s official recovery process.
Before you begin
Identify whether the account is personal, work or school, and open the provider’s official site yourself; do not blindly follow a password-change link in an email. If you can sign in, change the known password. If you cannot, use the provider’s “forgot password” or account-recovery flow. MFA or a recovery code may be required; never share those codes.
Change the password with the provider
For a Google Account, open the official Google Account security section, select Password and set a new unique password. For a personal Microsoft account, change it through account.microsoft.com; for a work or school account, select Change password at myaccount.microsoft.com or use your organization’s recovery page. For an Apple Account on iPhone, open Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Change Password; a security delay may apply. Menu names and available options can vary by account type, region and software version.
Google Account
Google Account > Security & sign-in > Password; changing it may require an active sign-in and additional verification.
Microsoft account
Personal: account.microsoft.com. Work or school: myaccount.microsoft.com or your organization’s recovery flow.
Apple Account
On iPhone: Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. A device security delay may apply.
Refresh the sign-in on your iPhone
After the provider password changes, iPhone Mail may continue using an old session or ask you to sign in again. Select the account under Settings > Apps > Mail > Mail Accounts; if the provider’s secure sign-in page opens, authenticate there. Apple Mail menus and provider flows can change, so follow the official prompts shown on your device. Remove and add the account again only if reauthentication fails and you understand the effect on synced data.
| Account type | Where the password changes | Next step on iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Account / iCloud Mail | Apple Account security settings | Other Apple devices may remain signed in or require a new sign-in, depending on the option you choose. Complete any sign-in and verification prompts. |
| Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and other providers | Provider’s official account portal | Reauthenticate under Mail Accounts; menus may differ on older iOS versions. |
| Custom IMAP/SMTP account | Provider or organization account portal | If an app password or IMAP/SMTP server setting is required, follow the provider’s or administrator’s documentation. |
If the account looks compromised, complete recovery
Change the password from a trusted device, sign out other sessions separately in the provider account, and check recovery email and phone. Remove unknown devices and third-party app access; review mail forwarding, filters and sender identities. Enable MFA and, where available, choose a phishing-resistant passkey or security key. Notify your organization’s administrator for a work account; if the device may be compromised, do not re-enter the password on that device.
Use the official recovery route if you forgot the password
For Google, open accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and answer the prompts to verify the account. For Apple, try resetting the password on a trusted device; if that is not possible, start recovery at iforgot.apple.com, which can take time. For a personal Microsoft account, select “Forgot password?” or use aka.ms/sign-in-helper. For a work or school account, the organization’s SSPR page, including passwordreset.microsoftonline.com, works only if the organization enabled it and you enrolled; otherwise contact the administrator. Do not share your password, recovery code or one-time verification code with anyone claiming to provide support.
Google Account recovery
Open accounts.google.com/signin/recovery; when possible, use a familiar device and usual sign-in location.
Apple Account recovery
Try a reset on a trusted device; if that fails, use iforgot.apple.com and follow the stated waiting period.
Microsoft account
Use Microsoft Sign-in Helper for personal accounts; use your organization’s SSPR service or administrator for work and school accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change the password in the Mail app?
No. Change the password with the email provider, then confirm the new sign-in in Mail through the provider’s sign-in page or account settings.
What if I cannot sign in to a work account?
Use your organization’s self-service recovery page or contact its IT administrator. Work and school accounts may follow different rules from personal Microsoft or Google accounts.
When should I remove and add the account again?
Only after confirming that provider sign-in works and the device’s reauthentication steps have failed. Removing the account from a phone does not close the mailbox, though it may affect locally synced data.