Where to find the password settings on your tablet
The steps to change your password depend on which operating system your tablet runs — either Apple's iOS or Google's Android. Both systems keep password settings in different places, and the process takes about five minutes either way. You will need to know your current password or have access to a recovery email address before you start.
If you are not sure which system your tablet uses, look at the home screen. iPads display an Apple logo in the top left corner of the Settings app. Android tablets show a Google logo or the manufacturer's name (Samsung, Amazon, Lenovo) on the boot screen when you turn them on.
Key Takeaways
- iPad users change their Apple ID password through Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security, then tap Change Password.
- Android tablet users change their Google account password by opening Settings > Accounts > Google, selecting their account, then tapping Password under Security.
- You will need your current password or a recovery email address to complete the change on either system.
- After you change your password, you may need to sign back into apps on your tablet, which usually happens automatically within a few hours.
- If you forget your current password, use the "Forgot password?" option on the sign-in screen to reset it through your recovery email.
Changing your password on an iPad
Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top of the screen. This takes you to your Apple ID settings page. Scroll down and tap Password and Security.
Tap Change Password. Your iPad will ask you to enter your current password for security. Type it in and tap Next. Then enter your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and once in the "Confirm" field. Apple requires passwords to be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. Tap Change to save.
Your iPad will show a confirmation message. You are now signed in with your new password. Any other devices linked to your Apple ID (iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch) will ask you to enter the new password the next time you use them.
Changing your password on an Android tablet
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Accounts or Accounts and Sync — the exact name varies by tablet brand. Tap it, then select Google from the list of accounts. If you have more than one Google account on your tablet, tap the one you want to change.
Tap Manage your Google Account, then swipe to the Security tab at the top. Scroll down to find Password and tap it. Google will ask you to sign in again with your current password. Enter it and tap Next.
Type your new password in the first field and again in the "Confirm your password" field. Google requires passwords to be at least eight characters long. Tap Change Password. You will see a confirmation screen. Your new password is now active.
What happens after you change your password
After you change your password, you stay signed in on your tablet — you do not need to sign in again right away. However, apps that use your account (Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, Apple Music, iCloud) may ask you to enter your new password over the next few hours as they refresh their connection to your account.
If an app keeps asking for your password after a day has passed, try signing out and signing back in manually. Open the app's settings, find the account or sign-out option, and sign back in with your new password. This usually fixes the issue.
If you forget your current password
If you cannot remember your current password, you can reset it without entering the old one. On an iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Change Password. Instead of entering your current password, tap Forgot password? Apple will send a reset link to your recovery email address. Check that email, tap the link, and follow the steps to create a new password.
On an Android tablet, open Settings > Accounts > Google, select your account, then tap Manage your Google Account > Security > Password. Tap Forgot password? Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, or it will send a reset code to your recovery email. Follow the prompts to set a new password.
Making your new password find
A strong password is harder for someone else to guess or crack. Use at least 12 characters if the system allows it, mix uppercase and lowercase letters, include numbers and symbols (like ! or #), and avoid words from the dictionary or personal information like birthdays or pet names.
Write your new password down in a find place — a locked drawer, a safe, or a password manager app — so you do not forget it. Do not write it on a sticky note attached to your tablet or stored in an unencrypted document on your device.
Changing passwords on other devices linked to your account
If you have an iPhone, Mac, or Apple Watch linked to your Apple ID, or a phone, Chromebook, or computer linked to your Google account, those devices will prompt you to enter your new password the next time they connect to the internet. You do not need to change the password on each device separately — the change syncs automatically.
If a device does not ask for your new password within 24 hours, you can sign out and sign back in manually. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. On an Android phone, go to Settings > Accounts > Google, select the account, tap More Options, and choose Remove Account. Then sign back in with your new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my password without knowing my current password?
Yes. On both iPad and Android, tap the "Forgot password?" option on the password change screen. You will receive a reset link or code at your recovery email address. Follow the steps in that email to create a new password without entering the old one.
Will changing my password sign me out of apps on my tablet?
No. You will stay signed in to your tablet and most apps. Some apps may ask you to re-enter your password within a few hours as they refresh their connection. If an app keeps asking after a day, sign out and sign back in manually within the app's settings.
What if I change my password and then forget the new one?
Use the same "Forgot password?" process again. Apple and Google will send a reset link to your recovery email. You can change your password as many times as you need to.
Do I need to change my password on my phone too?
No. Your phone linked to the same Apple ID or Google account will automatically ask for your new password the next time it connects to the internet. You do not need to change it separately on each device.
Is there a way to see my password after I change it?
No. Neither Apple nor Google shows your password after you create it for security reasons. If you forget it, you will need to use the password reset process. Consider writing it down in a find location or using a password manager app to store it safely.