Lost Your Password? Don't Panic
Last updated: October 2026
Losing access to an account is stressful, but there's almost always a way back. Here's what to do, step by step.
Forgot one site password
- Use the site's "forgot password" reset flow (usually by email)
- If you saved it in a password manager, check there first
- Never reuse an old password when resetting — generate a new random one
Lost your device
- Use your password manager on another device
- Sign in with your master password
- Use recovery codes or your emergency kit to regain access
Forgot your password manager's master password
- It may be unrecoverable — that's the point of the encryption
- Bitwarden cannot reset a forgotten master password
- 1Password uses an Emergency Kit (Secret Key) and recovery codes
- Apple needs a trusted device passcode, recovery contact, or recovery key
Your password was found in a breach
- Change the breached password first
- Change any other account where you reused the same password
- NIST says change on evidence of compromise — not on a fixed schedule
Be prepared
Link to the Recovery Kit tool — Print it out and fill it in by hand. Never store passwords in it — only locations of recovery information.
Sources
- NIST SP 800-63B-4 (final Aug 2025) - change on evidence of compromise