Update Your PostgreSQL Password in Linux

PostgreSQL supports many client authentication methods, but in this case we’re only going to concern ourselves with two: password and md5.

Before Getting Started

• These instructions are intended specifically for changing a password in PostgreSQL.
• I’ll be working from a Liquid Web Core Managed CentOS 7 server, and I’ll be logged in as root.
• PostgreSQL is installed per our tutorial on: How to Install and Connect to PostgreSQL on CentOS 7.

Step #1: Switch to the PostgreSQL User: postgres

If you’re working from a default PostgreSQL installation, then PostgreSQL will be configured with the user postgres.

Since we’re logged in as root, and we’re assuming that root doesn’t have a user for PostgreSQL, switch to the default PostgreSQL user: postgres.

su - postgres

… then attempt a connection to PostgreSQL.

psql

… enter your password at the prompt.

Password:

… the correct, valid response will be similar to the following.

psql (9.3.9)
Type "help" for help.

postgres=#

Step #2: Add/Change the PostgreSQL Password for the User: postgres

Use the following command to change the PostgreSQL password for your current user, which is now postgres.

\password

Enter your new password, and then enter it again to confirm it.

Enter new password:
Enter it again:

Now quit the PostgreSQL interface.

\q

Bonus Information!

You can do all of step one in exactly one command.

su -c "psql" - postgres