Learn to Easily Recover a Forgotten AOL Mail Password

This article explains how to reset your AOL email password. These instructions apply to the desktop version of AOL Mail.

AOL Mail Password Reset Procedure

1. Go to the AOL Mail Sign in page.

2. Enter your AOL username.

   If you don't remember your AOL username, go to the Sign-in Helper page, enter your recovery email address or phone number, then follow the steps to retrieve your username.

3. Click Next.

4. Click I forgot my password.

5. Choose one of the password reset options. Depending on how you set up your account, you might be able to choose your phone number or email address. If you don't have access to any of them, choose I need more options.

6. Enter the code sent to your phone or recovery email.

7. Select Create a new password to reset your AOL Mail password. See the tips below for help remembering your password.

8. Enter the verification code, then select Verify.

9. Log in to your AOL Mail account using your new password.

You Can Always Try Your Browser

Current versions of most internet browsers offer an auto-fill feature. You'll see it when you enter a username and password for the first time on a password-protected site. The browser typically presents a popup window that asks if you want to save the login information.

If you visited the AOL Mail site recently, you may have saved your username and password using this function, in which case the browser fills in the password field automatically. If not, click the Password text box to display matching passwords in a drop-down menu, then choose the appropriate password.

Alternatively, check the browser's help site to find out where to go in the browser settings to find out where the password is stored, how to retrieve it, and how to toggle the feature on or off. The procedure is similar across browsers.

Ways to Remember Passwords

Forgetting passwords is a common occurrence — just as common as passwords themselves. Instead of keeping a handwritten list or relying on your memory, store passwords in a password manager. Several secure options are available, from storing them in a browser to downloading third-party programs (some free, some paid). Double-check any method you use to be sure passwords are stored in an encrypted format so that unauthorized parties can't decipher them easily.

Tips for Creating Secure Passwords

Keep in mind these tips for creating a strong password:

• Avoid using anything obvious, such as 123456 or mypassword.
• The longer the password, the more secure it is.
• Don't use letters that are next to each other on the keyboard or that follow an obvious pattern, such as the four corners of the phone keypad.
• Don't use the same password that you use on another site. Make each password for each site unique.
• Don't build a password on personal details such as birthdates, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Change your AOL password from time to time.