How to Recover Your Google Account

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Recovering your Google account may seem daunting, but it's a straightforward process that you can complete with patience and the right information. This guide will walk you through the steps, tell (and show) you what to expect, and provide tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

Why you might need to recover your Google account

There are several reasons why you might need to recover your Google account:

• You have forgotten your password.
• You can't remember your email address.
• Your account has been hacked or compromised.
• Your account recovery options have changed.
• You are unable to sign in for another reason.

A step-by-step guide to recovering your Google account

Step 1: Go to the account recovery page

First, you need to go to the Google Account Recovery page. You can do this by going to accounts.google.com and selecting "Forgot email?" or "Forgot password?" depending on your problem.

Step 2: Identify your account

If you select "Forgot email?", you will be asked to enter a phone number or recovery email address. If you select "Forgot password?", you will need to enter your Google email.

For "Forgot email?", follow these steps:

• Enter your phone number or recovery email address.
• Click "Next".
• Enter your first and last name.
• Click "Next" again.
• Google will send a verification code to the phone number or recovery email you provided.

For "Forgot Password?", follow these steps:

• Enter your email address.
• Click "Next".
• Google will usually ask you to enter the last password you remember. If you don't remember any, click "Try another way."

Step 3: Verification process

Based on the information you provide, Google will attempt to verify your identity:

• Verification code: Google may send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter this code on the verification screen.
• Security questions: In some cases, Google will ask you to answer security questions. Answer the questions you set up when creating your account accurately.
• Old passwords: You may be asked to enter an old password. If you remember your old password, enter one of them.

Step 4: Create a new password

Once Google has verified your identity using one of the methods above, you'll be asked to create a new password. Follow these instructions:

• Make sure your new password is strong. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Don't use easily guessable passwords like "password123" or "qwerty".
• Keep your new password unique and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

Step 5: Updating recovery options

After you've successfully logged into your account, it's a good idea to update your account recovery options to make recovery easier in the future. Here's how:

• Go to "Security" on your Google Account page.
• Find the "How can we verify it's you" section.
• Add and verify your phone number and recovery email if you haven't done so yet.

Additional tips for recovery

If you're having trouble recovering your account, keep these tips in mind:

• Use a familiar device: Perform the recovery process on a device that you often use to access your Google account.
• Use a familiar location: Start the recovery process from a location where you usually use your Google account (e.g., home or work).
• Take your time: Read each recovery step carefully and enter all information correctly.

Example scenario

Let's look at an example scenario where someone has forgotten their password:

1. Annie goes to the Google Account Recovery page.
2. She selects the "Forgot Password?" option.
3. She enters her email address and clicks "Next".
4. Google prompts her to enter the last password she remembers. She tries a few different passwords but none work, so she clicks "Try another way".
5. Google sends a verification code to Annie's phone. She enters the code and clicks "Next".
6. Google asks Annie to create a new password. She creates a strong password for herself.
7. Annie successfully regains access to her account and immediately updates her recovery options in the "Security" section of her Google Account page.

Special cases

Account got hacked

If you suspect that your account has been hacked, take the following steps immediately:

1. Follow the recovery steps outlined above to regain access to your account.
2. Once you regain access, secure your account as follows:
• Change your password.
• Recovery options are being updated.
• Reviewing recent account activity for suspicious logins or changes.

No access to recovery information

• If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, use the "Try another way" option during the recovery process.
• Google may ask additional questions about your account activity that only you can answer.
• If all else fails, visit Google's Account Recovery troubleshooter for more help.

Preventative measures

To avoid needing to recover your Google account in the future, consider these preventive measures:

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Provides an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.
• Update passwords regularly: Change your password periodically and make sure it is strong and unique.
• Keep recovery options up to date: Update and verify your recovery email and phone number regularly.

Conclusion

Understanding the steps and providing accurate information is essential to recovering your Google account. By following this comprehensive guide and taking preventive measures, you can ensure a smooth recovery process and secure your account against future problems. If you encounter difficulties during recovery, seek help from Google's support resources.

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