How to recover your Google account

Whether you forgot your password or email address, it shouldn’t take too long to recover your Google account

When you get a new Android phone or one of the best Chromebooks, you’ll need to set up your favorite apps and services, including Google’s. But what do you do if you forget your Google account password? Account recoveries can be tricky. You could create a new Google account in a few seconds, but you would risk losing your emails, contacts, calendar details, Drive files, and more. However, there are other ways to recover a lost Google account.

If you’re locked out of your Google account, whip out your PC and follow these steps to get started.

How to recover a Google account with a lost username

While it’s not as common as password loss, people forget their Google account addresses. If you fall into this category but remember your password, here’s how to recover it:

1. Go to Google’s account recovery page.
2. Click the Forgot email? option since you can’t remember the name. You’re asked to input your recovery contacts.

3. Enter the recovery email or phone number you added to the account.
4. Click Next.

5. Enter your first and last names or the names used to register the account if you used something different.

6. Click Next. A Get a verification code dialog box displays as a final confirmation step.
7. Click Send.

8. Check your email or text inbox for the verification code.
9. Enter the code and click Next. You’re shown a list of accounts associated with the recovery phone number or email.

10. Select the appropriate account.

11. Enter the password and click Next.
12. Verify your login using two-step verification if you have it enabled.

How to recover a Google account with a lost password

For most people, their email accounts are easier to remember than their passwords. If you fall into this category and lose your password, here’s how to recover the account:

1. Go to Google’s account recovery page.
2. Enter your email address.
3. Click Next. You’re taken to the account recovery setup.

4. Choose a sign-in method from the options.
5. You’re asked to choose between entering a password or a verification code sent to the email address.

6. Select the Enter your password option. You’re prompted to enter the last password you remember using with the account; the newer, the better.

7. Alternatively, choose Get a verification code at (your email). However, this option only works if you are logged in to the account on an accessible device but only forgot the password.

8. Click Next and follow the prompts to the end.
9. If neither of those works for you, use the Try another way to sign in option. You’re given two other methods.

10. 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.

11. In the Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes box, enter a previously-set recovery code.

12. 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.
13. Click Send. A verification code is sent to the number.
14. Enter the code and click Next.

15. 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 Gmail to see it.

16. Click Verify to complete the setup once 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 or someone else deleted your Google Account, 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.

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 of an account. You can do this in many ways. Here are some of them:

• Use a device you’ve previously signed in to the account with.
• Be in a familiar location, such as home or work, where you usually sign in to Google’s services.
• Use the same browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) you usually operate.
• Enter the most recent password you remember.
• Avoid typos when entering passwords.

Protect your Google account

Whether you forget your username or password or your account was stolen, recovering a Google account can be straightforward if you’ve done the necessary preparations beforehand. These essential setups include keeping a record of your password with a good password manager and setting up a recovery email account and phone number. These should serve as a failsafe against any possible issues that might arise later on.