If you get locked out of your Google account, you must recover it as soon as possible. Thanks to single sign-on (SSO), getting locked out may mean you won’t be able to access a variety of digital services and tools. Still, it’s possible to recover your account, and we’re here to walk you through the entire process. Whether you use your Google account to exclusively check your email or sync your phone with your premium smartwatch, you can follow this guide.
You can create a new Google account as a last resort, but this should only be done after trying all the steps below.
How to recover a Google account with a lost email address
If you’ve forgotten the email you use to sign in to your Google account, you can recover it with your recovery details. However, if you’ve forgotten your password, skip to the next section.
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- Go to Google’s account recovery page.
- Click the Forgot email option.
- Enter the recovery email or phone number you added to the account.
- Click Next.
- Enter your first and last names or the names used to register the account.
- Click Next.
- Click Send on the Get a verification code dialog box.
- Check your email or text inbox for the verification code.
- Enter the code and click Next. You’re shown a list of accounts associated with the recovery phone number or email.
- Select the appropriate account.
- Enter the password and click Next.
- Verify your login using two-step verification if you enabled it.
How to recover a Google account with a lost password
This is probably the most common issue, but it’s one of the easiest to solve. All you need is your recovery email or phone number.
- Go to Google’s account recovery page.
- Enter your email address.
- Click Next. You’re taken to the account recovery setup.
- Select a sign-in method from the options. You can choose between entering a password or a verification code sent to the email address.
- Select the Enter your password option. You’re prompted to enter the last password you remember using with the account; the newer, the better.
- Alternatively, choose Get a verification code at (your email). This option only works if you are logged in to the account on an accessible device and only forgot the password.
- Click Next and follow the prompts to the end.
- If none of these methods works for you, use the Try another way to sign in option. You’re given two new methods.
- Tap Yes on your phone or tablet to send a recovery prompt to your phone, allowing you to log in by choosing Yes, it’s me. But you need to be logged in on at least one device for this to work.
- In the Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes box, enter a previously-set recovery code.
- If none of those are helpful, choose the Try another way to sign in option. You have the option to recover the account with the linked phone number. For safety reasons, you only see the last two digits.
- Click Send. A verification code is sent to the number.
- Enter the code and click Next.
- If that option doesn’t work, use the Try another way to sign in option one more time. Google sends a reset link after 72 hours. But you’ll need access to the account’s emails on a logged-in device to see it.
- Click Verify to complete the setup after you find a successful recovery process. You’re prompted to enter a new password. Use a unique and strong password for the account, and store it safely.
How to recover a deleted Google Account
If you deleted your Google Account, you can attempt to get it back instead of creating a new one. To do this, go to Google’s account recovery page, enter your email address in the box, and click Next. Then, follow the prompts as highlighted in the section above.
Time is of the essence when recovering a deleted account because you may lose your saved data if you don’t act fast. If that’s the case, you should be able to sign in to Google services like Gmail and Google Play without a hassle.
Tips to increase your chances for a successful recovery
Recovering your account can be straightforward if you give Google reasons to believe you’re the rightful owner. You can do this in many ways. Here are some of them:
- Use a device you previously used to sign in to the account.
- Be in a familiar location, such as home or work, where you usually sign in to Google’s services.
- Use the browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) you typically use.
- Enter the most recent password you remember.
- Avoid typos when entering passwords.
Don’t let malicious actors manipulate your account
Everyone forgets their login details from time to time, but someone can access your account and change your password from the inside. While this is unlikely, the risk can be almost entirely negated by using a two-factor authentication service.
Setting up a two-factor authentication service on your Google account is quick and easy. If you get locked out after setting it up, you can rest easy knowing that there isn’t someone inside your account.
Protect your Google account
The most important thing to recover your Google account successfully is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Make sure you have your recovery email and phone number set up, and update these right away if you change your email or phone number.
Once you’ve recovered your account, take these extra steps to keep your account secure.
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