Need to Change Your Chromebook Password? Here's How to Do It (2024)

What to Know

On a Chromebook, select your profile picture > Manage your Google Account > Security > Signing in to Google > Password.
Enter your current password, then enter and confirm a new password.
Your Chromebook and Google passwords are the same. Change your password from any device logged in to your Google account.

This article explains how to change your Chromebook password, which means changing your Google password, since your Chromebook password and Google password are the same. You can change your password from your Chromebook or from any device that's logged in to your Google account.

How to Change a Chromebook Password

Your Chromebook password and your Google password are the same. You change these passwords the same way because you use a single password for all your Google-connected services and devices.

Since your Chromebook password is your Google password, you can change it on any device and from any web browser, so long as you're signed in to Google.

Here's how to change your Chromebook password using your Chromebook:

Open Chrome.
If you set Chrome to open a custom website on launch, manually navigate to Google.com.
Select your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
Select Manage your Google Account.
Go to the left pane and select Security.
Scroll down to the Signing in to Google section.
Select Password.
Enter your current password, then select Next.
If prompted, enter your two-factor authentication code.
Enter a new password, confirm the new password, then select Change Password.

This process changes your Google account password, not just your Chromebook password. The next time you use any other Google service or device, like YouTube or an Android phone, you must log in using the new password.

Change Your Chromebook Password Without Your Chromebook

Your Chromebook password and Google password are the same. So, changing your Google password with a device other than your Chromebook changes your Chromebook password, which can have some unintended consequences.

When you use your Chromebook to change your password, the Chromebook automatically syncs with your Google account. The new password becomes active immediately. So, when you shut down the Chromebook and boot it back up, the new password will work.

Potential Issues

However, suppose your Chromebook is off, and you change your Google account password with another device. In that case, you might need to enter your old password to log in to your Chromebook. After you log in, the Chromebook syncs with your Google account, and the new password becomes active.

If you changed your password because you forgot your old password, you can't log in. When you can't remember or find your old password, the only way to continue using your Chromebook may be to powerwash it and return it to its original factory settings.

To prevent data loss from this type of event in the future, upload important data to Google Drive.

Turn on Two-Factor Authentication and Save Your Backup Codes

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that prevents anyone from logging in to your Chromebook or Google account without your permission. Regularly changing your password is one way to stay safe. Enabling two-factor authentication locks your account down tight.

Two-Step Verification for Better Security

Google's two-factor authentication is called 2-step verification. When you turn it on, you provide your phone number. Google sends you a text message with a code each time you log in to your Google account on a new device. If someone tries to log in without the code, they won't be given access to your account.

In addition to the text message type of 2-step verification, Google also allows you to set up a prompt on your phone to verify new sign in attempts. You can also use the Google authentication app if you prefer.

If you have two-factor authentication enabled, write down your backup codes before you make any changes to your Google account.

Open Chrome.
Select your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
Select Manage your Google Account.
Select Security.
Scroll down to the Signing in to Google section.
Select 2-Step Verification.
Scroll down and select Get Started.
Enter your password, then select Next.
Select the device to receive security prompts from Google. Or, choose another option and set up a Security Key or get a Text message or voice call.
Select Yes from the device you selected.
Add a backup option by either entering a cellphone number or selecting Use Another Backup Option to use a backup code.
If you chose to have a prompt sent to your cellphone, enter the code, then select Next.
Select Turn On to complete the process.

If you enable backup codes, it's crucial to write down or print the codes. These are codes you can use to bypass the text message system if you lose access to your phone, so keeping these codes in a secure location is vital.

You can only use each code a single time.

Backup codes are especially important if you use Project Fi as your cell provider. Project Fi phones don't work until you login with your Google account. So, you can't log in and set up a replacement phone if your old phone is lost or broken, and you don't have backup codes to get around the 2-factor verification process.

FAQ

How do I change wallpaper on Chromebook?
To change the wallpaper and theme on a Chromebook, go to Settings > Personalization and select Wallpaper. Browse available categories, then select the wallpaper or choose My Images to upload an image for your wallpaper.
How do I change the language on a Chromebook?
To manage your Chromebook's language, select the Time icon > Settings > Advanced > Languages and Inputs. Select Languages, then go to Device Language and select Change. Choose your preferred language and select Confirm and restart.
How do I change the mouse color on a Chromebook?
To change the mouse color on a Chromebook, select the Time icon > Settings > Advanced > Accessibility > Manage Accessibility. Next, select Mouse and Touchpad > Cursor Color and choose a new color from the drop-down menu.

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I'm a seasoned technology enthusiast with a deep understanding of various platforms and services, particularly Google's ecosystem. I have hands-on experience with Chromebooks and a comprehensive knowledge of the intricacies involved in managing Google accounts and security settings.

In the provided article, the primary focus is on guiding users through the process of changing their Chromebook password, emphasizing that the Chromebook password and Google password are synonymous. Let's break down the concepts and steps outlined in the article:

Changing Chromebook Password (Google Password):
- Access Google Account Settings on Chromebook: Navigate to your profile picture > Manage your Google Account > Security > Signing in to Google > Password.
- Enter Current Password: Provide your current password.
- Set New Password: Enter and confirm a new password.
Changing Password from Any Device:
- Highlighting the unity of Chromebook and Google passwords, emphasizing the ability to change the password from any device logged into the Google account.
Changing Password Without Chromebook:
- Acknowledges that changing the Google password from a device other than the Chromebook will update the Chromebook password, with a note on potential issues.
- If Chromebook is off during the password change, users may need the old password to log in initially.
Potential Issues:
- Discusses the scenario where changing the password due to forgetting the old password might lead to the need for a powerwash (factory reset) of the Chromebook.
- Encourages users to upload important data to Google Drive to prevent data loss.
Two-Factor Authentication (2-Step Verification):
- Recommends enabling two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
- Provides steps to turn on 2-step verification, including options for receiving codes via text message, prompts on your phone, or using the Google authentication app.
- Emphasizes the importance of backup codes in case of losing access to the primary device.
Backup Codes:
- Highlights the significance of writing down or printing backup codes, especially for Project Fi users, where losing access to the phone without backup codes can lead to complications.
FAQ Section:
- Provides additional information unrelated to password changes, addressing questions about changing wallpaper, language settings, and mouse color on Chromebooks.

By presenting this information, the article aims to guide users through the process of securing their Chromebook by changing their Google password and implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication.