Resetting a user's password
How to reset a Google Workspace user's password from the Admin console — quick steps for admins when a team member is locked out.
If a team member forgets their password and can't sign in, a Workspace admin can reset it in under a minute from the Admin console. Regular users can't reset each other's passwords — this is an admin-only action.
Quick summary
Go to admin.google.com, find the user in Users, click their name, and click Reset password. Choose whether to auto-generate a password or type one. Check the box to require them to change it on first sign-in. Then share the new password with the user directly (not by email to that same account).
What you'll need
Admin access required 2 minutes- Admin access to the Google Admin console
- A way to contact the user to give them the new password (phone, text, or another email)
Resetting a password
Go to admin.google.com and sign in with your admin account.
Click Users in the left menu or from the home screen tiles.
Find the user. You can search by name or email address at the top of the Users list.
Click the user's name to open their profile.
Click Reset password. This button appears on the user's profile page, usually toward the top right.
Set the new password. Choose Auto-generate password (easier) or type a specific new password. Make sure to tick Require password change at next sign-in — this means the user sets their own password immediately after logging in.
Click Reset. Google shows you the new password (if auto-generated). Copy it.
Share the password with the user. Send it by phone call, text message, or a separate email account. Don't send it to the locked-out Google account — they can't read it anyway.
The user can sign in immediately
The password is changed instantly. The user can sign in straight away with the new temporary password, then they'll be prompted to create their own new one.
If the user is the only admin
If you're trying to reset the password for the admin account — and you're the only admin — things are trickier. You can't use the Admin console (you're locked out). Try these options:
- Google's account recovery. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" Google will ask you to verify your identity via your phone number or recovery email.
- Contact Google Workspace support. Go to support.google.com/a and use the chat or phone support option. They can help verify your identity and restore access.
Set up a backup admin account
This is exactly why we recommend having at least two admin accounts. If one is locked out, the other can reset it. See The Google Admin console, explained for how to set this up.
Good password practices
When setting up a new password for someone:
- Use a password you haven't used before
- Make it at least 12 characters
- Always tick "Require password change at next sign-in" so the user creates their own
- Encourage them to save it in a password manager
You can also enforce stronger passwords organization-wide in the Admin console under Security → Password management.
Common questions
Related guides
- Signing in to Google Workspace
- The Google Admin console, explained
- Turning on 2-step verification
- Key security settings
Need a hand?
Learn more
Removing a user safely
How to remove a Google Workspace user when someone leaves your organization — what to do before you delete, how to transfer their files, and how to recover if you make a mistake.
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How to create shared email addresses like team@ or info@ in Google Workspace using groups and aliases — without paying for extra user seats.