How to Change or Remove the wp-admin Login URL in WordPress

How to Change or Remove the /wp-admin/ Login URL in WordPress

WordPress is a powerful content management system, but its default login URL (/wp-admin/) is well known, making it a target for brute-force attacks. Changing or hiding the login URL enhances security and can also add a layer of customization. In this blog post, we'll explore different ways to modify or remove /wp-admin/ from your login process.

Why Change the Default Login URL?

1. Enhanced Security – Prevent unauthorized access attempts.
2. Reduce Bot Attacks – Many bots target the default login page.
3. Customization – Use a branded or easy-to-remember login URL.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (Recommended)

One of the easiest and safest ways to change your WordPress login URL is by using a plugin.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install and activate the WPS Hide Login plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
2. Navigate to Settings -> WPS Hide Login in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Enter your desired login URL in the "Login URL" field (e.g., /custom-login).
4. Click Save Changes.

Now, instead of /wp-admin/, you can log in using /custom-login/.

Method 2: Manually Changing the Login URL

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, you can modify the login URL by adding a function to your theme’s functions.php file.

Add This Code to functions.php:

function custom_login_url() {
    return home_url( '/my-login' );
}
add_filter( 'login_url', 'custom_login_url', 10, 2 );

Replace '/my-login' with your preferred URL slug. However, this method only modifies the login link and does not completely block access to /wp-admin/.

    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^(.*)?wp-admin$ [NC]
    RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /404 [R=301,L]

This will redirect users trying to access /wp-admin/ to a 404 error page.

Conclusion

Changing or hiding the default /wp-admin/ login URL in WordPress enhances security and reduces attack risks. While plugins like WPS Hide Login offer a quick and easy solution, advanced users can opt for manual methods like modifying functions.php or .htaccess for added protection.

No matter which method you choose, always remember to keep your login credentials secure and use additional security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) and strong passwords.

Do you have any other security tips? Let us know in the comments below!

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