How to Reset Your Amazon Password Guide

Understanding Your Amazon Account Security

Your Amazon account contains personal information, payment methods, and order history. Keeping your password secure is one of the most important steps you can take to protect this information. A strong password makes it harder for unauthorized people to access your account, which means your shopping history, addresses, and payment details stay private.

How to Change Your Peacock Password Guide →

Amazon accounts can be accessed from multiple devices—phones, tablets, computers, and even smart home devices. If someone gains access to your account, they could place orders, change your address, or modify your payment methods. This is why resetting your password periodically, or when you suspect unauthorized access, matters for your account security.

There are several situations when you might need to reset your password. You might have forgotten it, suspect someone else has accessed your account, or simply want to change it as a routine security measure. Amazon makes the password reset process straightforward and can be completed in a few minutes from any device with internet access.

When you reset your password, Amazon requires you to verify your identity first. This verification step protects your account by confirming that you are the actual account owner. Amazon offers multiple ways to verify your identity, including email codes and phone number confirmation.

Practical takeaway: Before you start the reset process, have access to either your registered email address or phone number. These are the two methods Amazon uses to confirm your identity, so having them ready will make the process go smoothly.

Steps to Reset Your Password on a Computer

Resetting your password on a computer using a web browser is the most common method and works the same way regardless of whether you use Windows or Mac. The entire process typically takes between two to five minutes, depending on how quickly you receive and enter verification codes.

Learn How to Cook Rice in Your Microwave →

First, go to the Amazon sign-in page by visiting www.amazon.com and clicking "Sign in" in the top right corner. If you cannot remember your email address or phone number associated with the account, you may need to think through what information you used when creating the account. Check any old emails or receipts that might show which email address was registered.

Once on the sign-in page, look for the link that says "Forgot your password?" This link is typically located below the password field. Click it to proceed to the password recovery page. Amazon will then ask you to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. Enter whichever one you remember, then select "Next."

Amazon will send a verification code to either your email inbox or as a text message to your phone number. Check the appropriate location and find the code. This code is usually six digits long and expires after a certain time period. Enter this code on the screen where Amazon asks for it. After you enter the correct code, Amazon will let you create a new password.

When creating your new password, Amazon requires it to be at least six characters long. However, security experts recommend making passwords longer—at least 12 to 16 characters. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ & * to make your password stronger and harder to guess. Avoid using common words, birthdays, or names that someone might know about you.

Practical takeaway: Write down the steps or take a screenshot of the Amazon sign-in page before you forget your password. Knowing exactly where the "Forgot your password?" link is located will help you move through the reset process more quickly if you ever need to do it again.

Resetting Your Password Using a Mobile Device

Resetting your Amazon password on a smartphone or tablet is nearly identical to resetting it on a computer. The main difference is that the page layout may look slightly different on a smaller screen, with buttons and text arranged vertically instead of side-by-side. Whether you use an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet, the steps remain the same.

How to Contact Illinois DMV by Phone →

Open the Amazon app or use a web browser to navigate to www.amazon.com. If using the Amazon app, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Account" or "Sign in." Look for the "Forgot your password?" option, which should be visible on the sign-in screen. This option is sometimes placed below the password entry field or in a menu under account settings.

When you tap "Forgot your password?", the app or browser will prompt you to enter your email address or phone number. On a mobile device, you may see a keyboard pop up on your screen automatically. Type in the email address or phone number associated with your account and tap "Next" or the forward arrow button to continue.

Amazon will send a verification code to your email or phone. If you receive it by email, open your email app and look for a message from Amazon. If you receive it by text message, check your text messages. Copy the code and return to the Amazon app or browser window. Paste or type the code into the field labeled "Verification Code" and tap "Next" to proceed.

You will then be prompted to create a new password. The process is identical to creating a password on a computer—aim for at least 12 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. After you enter your new password and confirm it by typing it again, tap the button to save your changes. Amazon will show a message confirming that your password has been changed.

Practical takeaway: If you receive the verification code by text message, do not close the Amazon app or browser tab. Keep it open on your screen while you read the text message, so you can quickly return to enter the code. This prevents you from losing your progress or the reset session timing out.

What to Do If You Cannot Receive Verification Codes

Sometimes you may not receive a verification code from Amazon, or you may not have access to the email address or phone number registered with your account. This situation is more common than you might think, especially if you have not used your Amazon account in several years or if you changed your phone number without updating your account.

Free Guide to Dental Implant Options Near Hickory Hills →

If you do not receive an email verification code within a few minutes, check your email's spam or junk folder. Sometimes legitimate emails from companies end up there by mistake. Look for any message from "Amazon.com" or an email address ending in "@amazon.com". If you find it in spam, mark it as "not spam" so future Amazon emails go to your inbox.

If you do not receive a text message verification code, check that you entered your phone number correctly. Look at what number appears on your Amazon account page to confirm it matches your actual phone number. Also verify that your phone is not blocking text messages from unknown numbers. Check your phone's settings to see if there is a filter that might be blocking Amazon's messages.

Amazon offers an alternative verification method if you cannot receive codes through your primary method. You can ask Amazon to contact you through another channel. During the reset process, look for options like "Don't have access to your email?" or "Use a different verification method." Clicking this will show you other ways to verify your identity, such as using a different phone number or email address you have added to your account.

If you have tried multiple verification methods and still cannot access your account, you may need to contact Amazon customer service. Visit the Amazon Help & Customer Service page and look for contact options. Amazon offers phone support, email support, and chat support depending on your location and the type of issue. Have ready any information you remember about your account, such as recent orders, addresses you have used, or the phone number currently registered.

Practical takeaway: If you frequently reset passwords or have multiple accounts, create a list of important information you used when setting up your accounts. Store this safely—such as in a password manager—so you can reference it later. Include the email addresses, phone numbers, and account creation dates you used for each account.

Creating a Strong New Password and Keeping It Secure

Once you have successfully reset your Amazon password, choosing a strong new one is crucial. A strong password is your first line of defense against unauthorized access. Amazon requires a minimum of six characters, but this is not long enough to resist most password-guessing attacks. Security researchers recommend 12 to 16 characters as a better standard.

Learn About Managing a Persistent Cough →

Your password should include four types of characters: uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and special symbols (! @ # $ % ^ & * - _ = +). For example, "BlueSky#2024River" is stronger than "password123" because it uses mixed cases, includes numbers, and contains a special character. Avoid passwords based on information someone might know about