It happens to the best of us. You sit down to check your AOL Mail, and your mind goes blank when you get to the login page. Was your screen name your nickname or your full email address? And that password—the one you created last year—is just out of reach. You’re not alone in this; managing login details can be a common hurdle.
Let’s walk through the simple steps to get you back into your AOL Mail account. We’ll cover what your login information actually is and what to do if you can’t remember it, making your next login a smooth and easy process.
What is My AOL Screen Name?
This is where many people get tripped up. Your AOL screen name is simply your full AOL email address. For example, if your email is yourname@aol.com, that entire address is what you’ll type into the “Username or email” field on the login page. It’s not an old nickname or a separate handle; it’s the complete email address you give to people.
Finding or Resetting Your AOL Password
If you can’t remember your password, don’t worry. Right on the AOL Mail login page, you’ll see a link that says “Forgot password?”. Click on that, and you’ll be guided through a few simple steps to reset it. You’ll need to enter your screen name (your email address), and AOL will send a verification code to your recovery email or mobile phone. Once you receive the code and enter it, you can create a new, strong password.
Creating a Strong and Memorable Password
When you reset your password, it’s a good chance to make a better one. A strong password mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easy-to-guess information like your birthday or a pet’s name. Think of a phrase that means something to you, and use the first letter of each word, mixing in numbers and symbols. For example, “I love to walk my dog in the park at 7!” could become Il2wmD!tpa7.
Keeping Your Login Information Secure
Once you’re back in your account, take a moment to ensure your information is safe. Make sure your recovery options, like your alternate email and phone number, are up to date in your account settings. This makes it much easier to regain access if you ever get locked out again. It’s also a good practice not to use the same password for AOL that you use for other important sites.
With your screen name and a new, secure password, you should have no trouble accessing your AOL Mail. Keeping your recovery information current is the best way to ensure you can always get back to your inbox, no matter what.