How to Reset or Change Your AOL Mail Password

AOL's password reset runs through the Sign-in Helper, and it depends entirely on your recovery phone number or alternate email address. If you can still receive a code at one of them, the reset takes only a few steps.

Reset a forgotten password

1. In your browser, go to the Sign-in Helper at login.aol.com/forgot.
2. Enter your recovery phone number or alternate email address.
3. Click Continue and follow the steps on screen — AOL sends a code to confirm it's you.
4. Choose a new, strong password.

You can also start from the normal sign-in: go to aol.com, click Sign in, type your username or email and click Next, then on the password screen click I forgot my password.

The Sign-in Helper also finds a forgotten username from your recovery phone or email.

Before resetting, check whether your browser already saved the password — it may be in your browser's saved passwords (autofill).

If your recovery phone or email is out of date

This is the hard case. AOL says that if your recovery info is wrong or out of reach, you might not be able to get back in, and suggests creating a new account and keeping its recovery info current. It also says some people may still regain access “depending on account eligibility”, with options varying by region at help.aol.com.

If the Sign-in Helper says the account has been deactivated or that you can't reset the password online, the account may have been deleted — AOL deletes accounts with no sign-in for 24 months, and the username can't be reused.

Beware of “AOL password recovery” phone numbers in search results. AOL warns against using search engines to find its contact details, because they can lead to support scams. Use help.aol.com directly. AOL's help pages list 1-800-358-4860 as its paid premium support line (as of October 2026); no one from AOL will ask for your password.

Change a password you know

In a browser (computer or phone):

1. Sign in to the AOL Account Security page (login.aol.com/myaccount/security).
2. Click Change password.
3. Enter the new password and click Continue.

In most AOL mobile apps: tap the Menu icon → Manage Accounts → Account info → Security settings, enter your security code, tap Change password and enter the new one. If that doesn't work in your app, use your phone's browser instead.

After a reset or change

• Update saved passwords in your browser, or it will keep filling in the old one and you'll see “Invalid password”.
• Email apps: apps that sign in with your normal password need the new one. Apps using an app password keep working — AOL app passwords stay active even after you change your main password.
• If you reset because of a break-in, that's exactly why you must also delete any app passwords you don't recognise on the Account Security page: changing the main password alone doesn't cut them off. Full checklist in AOL Mail security.
• Check your recovery info is current while you're on the Account Security page.