How do I recover a lost or forgotten AWS password?

Issue

I forgot the password I use to sign in to AWS. How do I recover or change my password?

Resolution

The steps to reset a password depend upon whether you sign in as a root user or an AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) user. Root users use an email address and password to sign in. IAM users usually use a user name and password to sign in.

To change your password, you need to know your root user password, your account number, or your IAM user name. If you're not sure which email address or account number is associated with your account, follow the troubleshooting steps at I've forgotten the sign-in credentials for an account—what do I do?

To reset a root account password

  1. Open aws.amazon.com, and then choose Sign In to the Console.
    Note: If you're using a new browser, the button will read Sign Up instead. Choose Sign Up and then choose Sign in to an existing AWS account.
  2. Type the root email address or account number associated with your account on the AWS account sign-in page.
  3. Choose Next.
  4. Choose Forgot your password? to request a password reset email. An email message with further instructions will be sent to the email address that is currently associated with the account.
    Note: The Forgot your password? link is not available on the mobile version of the AWS sign-in page. To reset your password, use the desktop version of the sign-in page instead.

If you no longer have access to that email address, you won't be able to receive a password reset email. However, if the email address is associated with an email domain that you or your organization owns, contact your email administrator, and ask for help gaining access to that email address.

Note: Changing the root credentials (including the password) for an AWS account might also change the credentials for any associated Amazon.com accounts.

To reset an IAM password

If you sign in to an account using IAM credentials, your account administrator manages your credentials. If you can't change your own IAM password, contact your account administrator.

For information about resetting an IAM user's credentials as an account administrator, see Managing Passwords for IAM Users.

Changing the AWS Account Root User Password

How IAM Users Change Their Own Password

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Published: 2016-02-12

Updated: 2018-03-22