How do I recover my Gmail account?

We can help you recover your Gmail account. No matter what the case, we can help you get your account back with these best in practice options.

Jul 15, 2019

If you have lost access to your Gmail account, follow these few steps to recover the account.

If you know your Gmail email address:

  1. Go to this website.

  2. Enter your Gmail email address.

  3. Select 'Next.'

  4. The next screen will ask you to give the last password you remember using with the Gmail account. If someone has hacked into your account and changed your password, this option will allow you to access your account by using the password you had set for the account.

  5. Select 'Next'.

  6. Using a Previous Password: If the password was correct, you will be successfully redirected to your account. At this point, you may want to reset your Gmail password. Select the 'Change password' under the 'Continue' button, and follow the instructions.

  7. If you can't remember any of the passwords you have used for the Gmail account, select 'Try another way' at the bottom of the screen from step four.

  8. Using a Secondary Email: If you have registered a secondary email for your Gmail account, the next screen will offer to send a verification code to that email. You can select 'Send' and then you will be prompted to enter the verification code you receive.

    1. Note: This option will not appear if you didn't register a secondary email for your Gmail account.

    2. If you don't know the answer you can select 'Try Another Way.'

  9. Using a Phone Number: If you don't like the above two options, you can select 'Try another way' at the bottom of the screen. You will be redirected to a screen asking you to enter the phone number that is associated with the Gmail account. This is to confirm that you are the owner of the Gmail account. Enter your phone number and select 'Next.' Standard text charges will apply.

    1. Note: This option will not appear if you didn't register a phone number for your Gmail account.

    2. If you don't know the answer you can select 'Try Another Way.'

  10. Security Question: You will then be prompted to answer a security question you have registered for the account. Write your answer and select 'Next.'

    1. If you don't know the answer you can select 'Try Another Way.'

  11. Account Details: Lastly, you will be asked to enter the month and year you created the Google account. Enter the information and select 'Next.' You will then have recovered your account.

  12. If you have tried all the options and could not give Google the answers they wanted, a screen will pop up saying they need time to manually review your request. You will be asked to provide a secondary email where Google can contact you with their response. Fill out your email.

After recovering your account, you may want to reset your password to something you are more likely to remember. As well, add a secondary email and a phone number to your Gmail account (if you have not already done so) to ensure account recovery will be easy in the future.

If you forgot your Gmail email address:

  1. Go to this website.

  2. Select 'Forgot email' in the bottom left corner.

  3. You will be asked to enter your phone number or recovery email.

  4. Select 'Next.'

  5. You will be asked to enter the first and last name on your Gmail account.

  6. Select 'Next.'

  7. Google will offer to send a verification code to your phone or your recovery email address. Select 'Send.'

  8. You will be asked to provide the information that was sent to you via text or email. Enter the code into the box, and select 'Next.'

  9. Your account will appear on the screen, select it.

  10. You will be asked to provide your password. Enter your password. If you don't know your password, follow the instructions above now that you know your email address.

  11. Select 'Next.'

  12. You are now logged into your account.

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Christian has been writing about long hold times and customer service call center experiences since 2010. He's been featured in Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal and the Boston Globe.
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