To make sure you can get back into your Google Account if you ever can’t sign in, add recovery information.
How recovery info helps you
A recovery phone number or email address helps you reset your password if:
- You forget your password
- Someone else is using your account
- You’re locked out of your account for another reason
Tip: If you change your recovery phone or email, Google may still offer to send verification codes to your previous recovery phone number or email address for 7 days. If someone starts to use your account without your permission, this allows you to quickly secure your settings.
Add or change a recovery phone number
-
Open your device's Settings app and tapGoogle
Manage your Google Account. -
At the top, tap Security.
-
Under "Ways we can verify it's you," tap Recovery phone. You might need to sign in.
- From here, you can:
- Add a recovery phone.
- Change your recovery phone: Next to your number, tapEdit .
- Delete your recovery phone: Next to your number, tapDelete .
-
Follow the steps on the screen.
Manage your Google Account.
.
.Tip:Ifyou delete your recovery phone number, it maystill be used for other Google services. To manage your phone numbers,go to your account.
Which number to use
Use a mobile phone that:
- Gets text messages
- Belongs only to you
- You use regularly and keep with you
Add or change a recovery email address
-
Open your device's Settings app and tapGoogle
Manage your Google Account. -
At the top, tap Security.
-
Under "Ways we can verify it's you," tap Recovery email. You might need to sign in.
- From here, you can:
- Add a recovery email.
- Change or delete your recovery email.
-
Follow the steps on the screen.
Which email to use
Choose an email address that:
- You use regularly
- Is different from the one you use to sign in to your Google Account
How recovery info is used
Recovery info helps you get back into your account and helps keep your account secure.
Here are some ways your recovery phone number can be used:
- To send you a code to get into your account if you’re ever locked out
- To block someone from using your account without your permission
- To make it easier for you to prove that an account is yours
- To tell you if there’s suspicious activity on your account
If your recovery phone number is the same as another phone number you’ve added to your account, it might be used for other purposes. Learn more about how phone numbers are used.
Here are some ways your recovery email address can be used:
- To confirm your username after you create an email address
- To help you get into your account if you forget your password or can't sign in for another reason
- To let you know if you're about to run out of storage space
- To tell you if there’s suspicious activity on your account
Fix problems
Can't sign in
Go to the account recovery page, and answer the questions as best you can. These tips can help.
Use the account recovery page if:
- You forgot your password.
- Someone changed your password.
- Someone deleted your account.
- You can’t sign in for another reason.
Tip: To make sure you’re trying to sign in to the right account, try recovering your username.
Can't change recovery info
If there’s something different about how you’re signing in, you might not have the option to change your recovery info. You can try again:
- From a device you normally use to sign in.
- From a location where you normally sign in.
- The following week from the device that you’re currently using.
Need more help?
Try these next steps:
Get step-by-step visual guides on the tools and practices that will help you protect your personal information with Google's Online Security Guidebook.
As an expert in online security and account management, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of securing your Google Account, and one of the key practices involves adding recovery information. This not only ensures that you can regain access to your account if you forget your password but also acts as a safeguard against unauthorized access. Let me break down the concepts mentioned in the provided article and provide additional insights:
-
Recovery Information:
-
Importance: Recovery information, such as a phone number or email address, is vital for account security. It aids in password resets and helps in situations where unauthorized access is suspected.
-
Recovery Phone Number:
-
Adding or Changing:
-
Open the Settings app on your device and access "Manage your Google Account."
-
Tap on "Security" and then "Ways we can verify it's you."
-
Select "Recovery phone" to add, change, or delete a recovery phone number.
-
Usage:
-
Used to send verification codes for password resets.
-
Can be employed to block unauthorized access to your account.
-
Helps in proving ownership of the account.
-
Notifies you of suspicious activity.
-
-
Recovery Email Address:
-
Adding or Changing:
-
Open the Settings app on your device and access "Manage your Google Account."
-
Tap on "Security" and then "Ways we can verify it's you."
-
Select "Recovery email" to add, change, or delete a recovery email address.
-
Usage:
-
Confirms your username after creating an email address.
-
Assists in accessing your account if you forget your password.
-
Notifies you about low storage space.
-
Alerts you to suspicious activity.
-
-
Choosing the Right Information:
- For the recovery phone number, use a mobile phone that receives text messages, belongs only to you, and is regularly used and kept with you.
- For the recovery email address, choose an email that you use regularly and is different from the one used to sign in.
-
-
Fixing Problems:
-
Can't Sign In:
- Visit the account recovery page and answer questions to regain access.
- Useful if you forgot your password, someone changed it, or you can't sign in for another reason.
-
Can't Change Recovery Info:
- Options might be limited if there's a difference in how you're signing in.
- Retry from a familiar device or location or wait a week and try again.
-
-
Additional Resources:
- The article provides a series of steps and tips, including recovering your username and seeking community help.
- It also offers a range of guides for creating a Google Account, enhancing account security, managing location history, and recovering your Google Account or Gmail.
In conclusion, by following the outlined steps and best practices, users can significantly enhance the security of their Google Accounts and ensure a smooth recovery process in case of any issues.
