How to Reset Your Fastmail Password

Fastmail handles forgotten passwords, lost two-step devices and locked accounts with one tool: the account recovery tool at app.fastmail.com/recover. It verifies you through the recovery options on your account — your recovery phone, recovery email, or the recovery code shown on your Account Recovery screen.

Reset a forgotten password

1. Go to app.fastmail.com/recover and select Start recovery.
2. Follow the steps to verify your identity with one of your recovery options.
3. Set a new password.

Use a device you normally use. Resets made from a device, browser or location Fastmail doesn't recognise have a 24-hour waiting period before they take effect. Running the recovery tool on your usual computer, phone, browser or mail app avoids the wait.

If you use two-step verification

Recovery still needs two independent factors, so a stolen phone number alone isn't enough to take over your account. Fastmail's two-step help says a successful recovery is then delayed 24 hours, and the account owner is emailed during that time so they can cancel a recovery they didn't request. If you get that email and didn't start a recovery, cancel it.

• Lost your phone? Your authenticator app's codes go with it, but your mobile carrier can usually give you a new SIM with the same number, so you can receive codes on your recovery phone again.
• Keep your recovery code safe. It can reset your password even if you lose your two-step device. If you've removed your recovery phone, lose every two-step device and don't have the code, Fastmail warns you may be permanently locked out — which is why it recommends setting up at least two security keys or authenticator devices.

If you've forgotten your username too

1. At app.fastmail.com/recover, select Start recovery, then I don't know my username.
2. Choose whether to send it to your recovery email address or phone number, and enter that address or number.
3. Select Send username.

Your username is the email address you chose when you signed up.

Change your password (when you know it)

1. Go to Settings › Privacy & Security and select Change password.
2. Enter your current password, then the new one in New password and Retype your password.

You can't reuse an old password within one year. Fastmail recommends a highly secure password that you don't use anywhere else — anyone who gets into your email can reset your passwords on other sites.

After a reset

• Email apps such as Apple Mail and Outlook use app passwords, not your main password. If you suspect someone else had access, review them under Settings › Privacy & Security › Manage app passwords and access and remove any you don't recognise. See Fastmail security.
• Check your devices for malware if the account was locked for suspicious activity.

Set up recovery now

Recovery only works with options you've added beforehand. Go to Settings › Privacy & Security, find Account recovery and select Manage recovery options. Choose Add recovery phone or Add recovery email, confirm your password if asked, select Send verification code, then enter the code and select Verify. Store your recovery code somewhere safe, and review these options regularly so they stay current.

You can also add a trusted person's email as a recovery address, so they can reach your account if you become incapacitated or die.

If recovery doesn't work, contact Fastmail support at support.fastmail.com.