Recover your Google Account or Gmail | 1-888-570-9791

If you forgot your password or username, or you can’t get verification codes, follow these steps to recover your Google Account. That way, you can use services like Gmail, Photos, and Google Play.

Note: If you use an account through your work, school, or other group, these steps might not work. Check with your administrator for help.

Forgot your password

1. Follow the steps to recover your account.
   • You'll be asked some questions to confirm it's your account. Answer as best you can.
   • If you're having trouble, try the tips to complete account recovery steps.
2. Reset your password when prompted. Choose a strong password that you haven't already used with this account. Learn how to create a strong password.

Forgot the email address you use to sign in

1. Follow the steps to find your username. You’ll need to know:
   • A phone number or the recovery email address for the account
   • The full name on your account
2. Follow the instructions to confirm it’s your account.
3. You’ll see a list of matching usernames.

Someone else is using your account

If you think someone is using your Google Account without your permission, follow the steps to recover a hacked or hijacked account.

Can’t sign in for another reason

If you’re having another problem, get help signing in.

Recover a deleted account

If you recently deleted your Google Account, you can follow the steps to recover your account.

Still can’t sign in

Create a new account

If you can’t sign in, we recommend that you try these tips for account recovery.

If you still can’t recover your account, you can create a new Google Account.

Avoid account & password recovery services

For your security, it’s not possible to call Google for help signing in to your account. We don’t work with any service that claims to provide account or password support. Never give out your passwords or verification codes.

Tips to complete account recovery steps

If you can't sign in, follow these steps to increase your chances of getting back into your Google Account:

1.  Go to the Account recovery page.
2. As you complete the steps, use as many of the tips below as you can. (You might not see all the questions described here.)

If you already tried to recover your account and got a "Google couldn't verify this account belongs to you" message, you can try again.

Answer as many questions as possible

Try not to skip questions. If you're unsure of an answer, take your best guess rather than moving on to another question. 

Use a familiar device & location

If possible:

• Use a computer, phone, or tablet where you frequently sign in
• Use the same browser (like Chrome or Safari) that you usually do
• Be in a location where you usually sign in, like at home or at work

Be exact with passwords & answers to security questions

Details matter, so avoid typos and pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.

Passwords

If you're asked for the last password you remember, enter the most recent one you recall.

• If don't remember your last password: Use a previous one that you do remember. The more recent it was, the better.
• If you can't confidently recall any previous passwords: Take your best guess.

Answers to security questions

If you're asked a security question and you:

• Don't remember the answer: Take your best guess.
• Know the answer but didn't recover your account on your first try: Consider a different variation of the answer. For example, try "NY" instead of "New York" or "Phil" instead of "Philip."

Find out when you created your account

If you don't remember the month and year you created your Google Account, here are some ways to find out.

• Look for a sign-up email. If you can get your email for the account, search for a welcome message from Google or Gmail. If you can't, check for a verification email on another account that you used then.
• Ask your contacts. If you use Gmail, ask friends and family when they first got an email from your account.
• Think about related events or purchases. Try to remember if you created your account when you:
  • Had an important life event, like graduating.
  • Bought a new device. Look for any receipts or contracts that could be helpful.

If you can't find out the date, take your best guess.

Enter an email connected to your account

If you're asked to enter an email address you can check now, enter one that you've added to your account. Here are some examples:

• A recovery email address helps you get back in and is where we send you security notifications.
• An alternate email address is one you can use to sign in.
• A contact email address is where you get information about most Google services you use.

Add helpful details

If you're asked why you can't access your account, include helpful details.

Some examples are:

• You're traveling.
• You get a specific error message.
• You think your account was compromised because of malware or another reason.
• You changed your password last week and can't remember it.

If your description matches the information we have, this similarity can help your case.

Still can't get in? Consider creating a replacement Google Account.

Set up a recovery phone number or email address

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

Add or change a recovery phone number

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app  Google  Google Account.

2. At the top, tap Security.
3. Under "Ways we can verify it's you," tap Recovery phone. You might need to sign in.
4. From here, you can:
   • Add a recovery phone.
   • Change your recovery phone: Next to your number, select Edit .
   • Delete your recovery phone: Next to your number, select Delete .
5. Follow the steps on the screen.

Note: Deleting your recovery phone number doesn’t delete it from being used for other Google services. Go to your account to manage your phone numbers.

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

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app  Google  Google Account.

2. At the top, tap Security.
3. Under "Ways we can verify it's you," tap Recovery email. You might need to sign in.
4. From here, you can:
   • Add a recovery email.
   • Change or delete your recovery email: Next to your email, select Edit .
5. 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.

Recovery phone number

Recovery email address

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.

Change or reset your password

You can change your password for security reasons or reset it if you forget it. Your Google Account password is used to access many Google products, like Gmail and YouTube.

Change your password

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app  Google  Google Account.

2. At the top, tap Security.
3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap Password. You might need to sign in.
4. Enter your new password, then tap Change Password.

Reset your password

1. Follow the steps to recover your account. You'll be asked some questions to confirm it's your account and an email will be sent to you.  If you don’t get an email:
   • Check your Spam or Bulk Mail folders
   • Add noreply@google.com to your address book.
   • To request another email, follow the steps to recover your account .
   • Check all email addresses you might've used to sign up or sign in to your account.

  2. Choose a password that you haven't already used with this account. Learn how to create a strong password.

Fix problems with your password

If you're having trouble resetting your password or can’t sign in to your account, get more help.