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# How to Change Your GitHub Password Across Devices: Complete Steps
- URL: https://macfixly.com/change-github-password-devices/
- Published: 2026-10-13T04:16:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-13T04:16:00.000Z
- Description: This guide explains how to change your GitHub password across devices, ensuring secure and uninterrupted access to your development environments.
- Author: Macuser
- Tags: GitHub, Password Management, Security, Software Development

This article explains how to change GitHub password across various devices and development environments, combining practical steps with credential management tips to ensure secure access.

Understanding how to change GitHub password involves more than updating it on the website; it requires synchronizing credentials across tools like command line interfaces, IDEs such as IntelliJ, and mobile apps. This guide covers the process from resetting a lost password to updating saved credentials in Windows Credential Manager and Git clients. It also addresses common issues like authentication failures after password changes.

Following these detailed instructions helps developers and GitHub users maintain seamless and secure workflows without interruptions caused by outdated or mismatched credentials.

## Before you start: What is needed to change a GitHub password

Changing a GitHub password requires an active account and access to either the current password or recovery options. Users must be logged in on at least one device or have access to the email associated with the account for password reset procedures.

GitHub supports password changes across multiple devices including desktops, mobile phones, and terminals. Authentication methods extend beyond passwords to include two-factor authentication (2FA), personal access tokens (PATs), and SSH keys, which are commonly used in development environments.

Backing up credentials from development tools like IntelliJ IDEA or stored Git credentials is essential before changing a password. This prevents disruptions in workflows that rely on cached or saved credentials.

1. Confirm active login on a device such as a desktop or mobile app. Successful login shows the GitHub dashboard or profile page.
2. Verify access to the email address linked to the GitHub account for recovery options. Receiving test emails confirms access.
3. Locate saved credentials in development tools or credential managers to prepare for updates. Identifying stored tokens or passwords in settings or credential storage is necessary.
4. Understand the authentication methods in use—password, 2FA, or token-based—to anticipate steps needed post-password change. Documentation or account security settings provide this information.

**Tip:** Users relying on token-based authentication will need to update or regenerate tokens after changing the password to maintain seamless access.

## How to reset GitHub password when access is lost

If a GitHub password is forgotten or the account is suspected to be compromised, resetting the password is essential to regain control. GitHub provides a straightforward password reset flow accessible from the login page.

1. Navigate to the **GitHub login page** and click the *Forgot password?* link located below the password field. This leads to the password reset request form.
2. Enter the registered email address associated with the GitHub account and submit the form. A confirmation message will indicate an email has been sent if the address is valid.
3. Open the received email and click the provided password reset link. This directs to a secure GitHub page to set a new password.
4. If the account has two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled via SMS, a verification code will be sent to the registered phone number. Enter this code to proceed. For authenticator apps or hardware keys, GitHub’s interface will prompt for the appropriate verification.
5. Create a new password that meets GitHub’s security requirements: at least 15 characters or at least 8 characters including a number and a lowercase letter. Confirm the new password and submit.
6. After resetting, sign in with the new password immediately. Update any stored credentials in development tools, credential managers, or browsers to avoid authentication errors.

**Common issues:** Reset links expire after a short period, so acting promptly is necessary. Failure to receive the reset email often results from spam filtering or using an incorrect email address.

**References:** GitHub’s official password reset instructions are available at [GitHub Docs](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/resetting-your-password?ref=macfixly.com).

## How to change GitHub password on the web interface

1. Open any web browser and sign in to GitHub with the current username and password. Successful login redirects to the GitHub dashboard.
2. Click the profile icon in the upper-right corner, then select **Settings** from the dropdown menu. The settings page should load with a sidebar showing various account options.
3. In the sidebar, click **Password and authentication**. This section contains options related to password and authentication methods.
4. Locate the **Change password** area. Enter the current password in the first field to verify identity.
5. Enter the new password in the next field and re-enter it in the confirmation field. The passwords must match and meet GitHub’s complexity requirements, typically including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
6. Click the **Update password** button. Upon success, a confirmation message appears stating "Your password has been updated successfully."
7. Note that after the update, active sessions on other devices remain logged in unless manually signed out, so review sessions under *Security log* if extra security is needed.

**Tip:** Changing the password in the web interface does not automatically update stored credentials in Git clients or IDEs, which need to be updated separately to avoid authentication errors.

![How to change GitHub password on the web interface – how to change GitHub password](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/change-github-password-devices-2.webp)

## How to change GitHub password on Windows using command line tools

On Windows, GitHub credentials are often managed by Git Credential Manager (GCM) or Git Credential Manager Core (GCM Core). To update a saved password, the stored credentials must be erased or updated so Git prompts for the new password on the next operation.

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
2. Run `git credential-manager erase` or `git credential-manager-core erase` depending on the installed version.
3. When prompted, enter the GitHub URL (e.g., *https://github.com*) and leave the username empty to remove stored credentials.
4. Perform any Git command that requires authentication, such as `git fetch` or `git push`. Git will prompt for a username and password; enter the updated credentials.

**Tip:** If the credential manager commands are unavailable, manually clear credentials by opening Windows Credential Manager (Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager), navigating to 'Windows Credentials,' and removing any entries related to GitHub.

After clearing, a Git command like `git fetch` should prompt for new credentials. Successful authentication will proceed without errors, while errors like "authentication failed" indicate the credentials are still incorrect or cached elsewhere.

Example terminal output after credential update:

| Command   | Output                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| git fetch | Username for 'https://github.com': user123Password for 'https://user123@github.com':remote: Enumerating objects: 5, done.remote: Counting objects: 100% (5/5), done.From https://github.com/user/repo abcdef1..1234567 main -> origin/main |

Common error when credentials are out of sync:

> remote: Invalid username or password.  
> fatal: Authentication failed for 'https://github.com/user/repo/'

## How to change GitHub password in IntelliJ and similar IDEs

IntelliJ IDEA and similar integrated development environments manage GitHub credentials to enable seamless version control operations. When a GitHub password or personal access token changes, updating these credentials inside the IDE is essential to maintain uninterrupted repository access.

1. Open IntelliJ and go to **File > Settings** (or **IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences** on macOS). Locate **Version Control > GitHub** under the settings menu.
2. In the GitHub section, view the list of accounts connected. Select the existing account linked to GitHub and click **Remove** to delete old stored credentials.
3. Click **+** to add a new account. Choose authentication via *Token* or *Login and Password*. Enter the new personal access token generated from the GitHub website or the updated password if token-based authentication is not used.
4. Save the updated credentials. IntelliJ will validate the connection. A successful authentication is indicated by the account appearing without error messages.
5. Test the updated credentials by performing a Git operation such as **Pull** or **Push** from the **Git** menu or the Version Control tool window. The operation should complete without prompting for credentials.

**Tip:** Using personal access tokens is recommended over passwords due to GitHub's token-based authentication requirements and improved security.

When token-based authentication is in place, IntelliJ may prompt for token input instead of a password during Git operations. Ensure the token has appropriate scopes to allow repository access.

## How to change GitHub password on mobile devices

Changing a GitHub password on mobile involves using either a mobile browser or the official GitHub app on iOS or Android. Both methods differ from desktop navigation but ultimately sync password changes across all devices and third-party clients.

1. Open the mobile browser (Safari, Chrome) and navigate to [github.com](https://github.com/?ref=macfixly.com). Log in if not already signed in. You should see your profile icon in the top-right corner.
2. Tap the profile icon and select *Settings* from the dropdown menu. The interface is condensed compared to desktop but includes the same account options.
3. Scroll to *Password and authentication* and tap it. Enter your current password when prompted.
4. Input your new password twice and confirm the change. A confirmation message appears indicating success.
5. Alternatively, open the official GitHub app. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap *Settings*.
6. Within app settings, select *Account* then *Password*. Enter current and new passwords as prompted.
7. After updating, the app syncs changes automatically with GitHub servers. Third-party clients using saved credentials may require re-authentication.
8. Verify the password change by logging out and back in on both the app and browser to ensure full synchronization.

| Feature           | Mobile Browser                                        | GitHub App                                     |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Navigation        | Profile icon > Settings > Password and authentication | Profile icon > Settings > Account > Password   |
| UI Layout         | Condensed desktop-like menu                           | App-optimized with simplified menus            |
| Password Sync     | Immediate on confirmation                             | Automatic background sync                      |
| Re-authentication | May be required in third-party apps                   | May prompt for credentials in external clients |

**Tip:** After changing the password on mobile, update saved credentials in Git clients or IDEs to avoid authentication errors.

## How to check, see, or find a GitHub password safely

GitHub does not provide any option to view the current password associated with an account for security reasons. According to GitHub's documentation, passwords are stored using strong hashing algorithms, making them unreadable even to GitHub administrators. This design prevents exposure of passwords in case of data breaches.

![How to check, see, or find a GitHub password safely – how to change GitHub password](https://macfixly.com/content/images/2026/10/change-github-password-devices-3.webp)

*Attempting to retrieve a GitHub password in plain text from browsers or local storage is both technically infeasible and a security risk.* Phishing and credential leaks remain common threats to GitHub users, emphasizing the importance of secure password handling.

Using a dedicated password manager is the recommended way to store and retrieve GitHub credentials safely. Password managers encrypt stored passwords and can autofill login forms, reducing the risk of password theft through keyloggers or phishing. Popular options include 1Password, LastPass, and Bitwarden.

For Git operations, personal access tokens (PATs) are preferred over passwords. Tokens can be generated with specific scopes and revoked independently, providing enhanced security and flexibility.

**Tip:** Regularly review and update saved credentials in password managers and revoke unused tokens to maintain security.

## Troubleshooting common issues with GitHub password changes

When encountering issues with GitHub password changes, several common problems arise, including password reset emails not arriving, two-factor authentication (2FA) complications, Git credential manager errors, and persistent login prompts.

### Password reset emails not received

If password reset emails do not arrive, first check the spam or junk folder. Ensure the registered email address on GitHub is current and active. Delays may occur due to email provider filters or server issues. If the email remains undelivered after 15 minutes, retry the reset process or use an alternative email if available.

### Two-factor authentication complications

Users with 2FA enabled may face issues if authentication apps or SMS codes are inaccessible during password changes. In such cases, GitHub’s recovery codes should be used to regain access. Without recovery codes, contacting GitHub Support with verification details is necessary. Attempting password changes without completing 2FA verification will fail.

### Fixing Git credential manager errors

After updating a password, Git Credential Manager (GCM) may still prompt for old credentials or show errors like “authentication failed.” To resolve this:

1. Open Windows Credential Manager or macOS Keychain Access.
2. Locate GitHub-related entries and remove them.
3. Perform a Git operation that requires authentication to prompt credential re-entry.
4. Enter the new password or personal access token.

Success is indicated when Git operations proceed without credential errors.

### Persistent GitHub credential prompts

If Git repeatedly requests credentials after a password change, cached credentials may conflict with updated ones. Clearing stored credentials as described above and ensuring all devices use updated tokens or passwords is essential. Additionally, verify that Git remote URLs use HTTPS rather than SSH to avoid mismatched authentication methods.

**Tip:** Using personal access tokens instead of passwords for Git operations reduces authentication issues and improves security.

## Frequently asked questions

### How to check github password?

GitHub passwords themselves are not directly viewable for security reasons. To check which credentials are stored for GitHub access, users can review saved passwords in their browser’s password manager or credential manager on their device. Alternatively, credential helper tools used in Git can show which authentication tokens or passwords are cached.

### How to see my github password?

GitHub does not provide a way to see the current password due to security protocols. If the password is forgotten, the recommended method is to reset it via the GitHub web interface using the 'Forgot password' option. Browsers or password managers may allow viewing saved passwords if previously stored.

### How to find github password?

Finding a GitHub password typically involves checking saved passwords in browser settings or operating system credential managers. For example, on Windows, the Credential Manager can store GitHub login details, and on macOS, the Keychain Access app may hold this information. If no saved password exists, resetting is necessary.

### How to change git password in intellij?

In IntelliJ IDEA, changing the Git password involves going to *File > Settings > Version Control > Git*, then clicking on the authentication settings. Users should update stored credentials or tokens here. Additionally, clearing cached passwords by using *File > Invalidate Caches / Restart* or removing saved credentials in the IDE’s password storage helps ensure the new password is applied.

### How to change git password in windows command line?

On Windows, Git credentials are often managed via the Git Credential Manager. To change the password, first update it on GitHub’s website, then clear stored credentials by running *git credential-manager uninstall* or deleting credentials via the Windows Credential Manager. The next Git command that requires authentication will prompt for the new password.

## Scope and limitations of this guide

This article does not cover advanced security setups such as SSH key authentication or Single Sign-On (SSO) configured for enterprise GitHub accounts. Users managing enterprise environments or requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA) integrations should consult GitHub’s official documentation or their organization’s IT support. Additionally, this guide focuses on password management and does not address token-based authentication methods or OAuth app credentials.

For developers seeking to maintain consistent access after changing passwords, the most practical next step is to update stored credentials in all connected tools and devices immediately. This includes Git credential managers, integrated development environments (IDEs) like IntelliJ, and mobile apps to prevent authentication failures and ensure uninterrupted workflows.