Quick answer
The fastest way to recover your Google account password is on the sign-in page: enter your email, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery via phone number, backup email, or passkey. If you have no recovery information, you are left with the account recovery form and waiting for a response from Google support.
How to recognize the problem
- Signing in to your Google account fails because the password is not accepted
- You do not remember the password, and the browser no longer saves it
- You are signed in on your phone but cannot sign in on your computer
- The SMS or email with the verification code does not arrive
- The account asks for identity verification that you cannot complete
Most common causes
The password is forgotten or incorrectly written down
The most common case: the password was changed months ago or an old version remained in your notes. Upper and lower case letters, as well as a keyboard in another language, often make the difference.
Recovery information is outdated
The phone number or backup email you once entered no longer exists or is not available. Google then cannot send a code to the place you expect.
The account is protected by two-factor authentication
If two-factor authentication is enabled, the password alone is not enough. You need a code from the app, a passkey, or confirmation on another device.
Sign-in from a new device or location
Google additionally verifies sign-ins from an unknown computer or network. This is not an error, but it slows down recovery and requires additional steps.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Open the sign-in page and start recovery
Go to
accounts.google.comand enter the account email or phone number in the email field, then continue. When the password field appears, select Forgot password? below it. If a list of accounts is displayed, choose the one you want to recover. - 2
Choose a way to verify your identity
Google offers what was previously linked to the account: a code sent to your phone number, a message to your backup email, a confirmation on the phone where you are already signed in, or a passkey. Choose the option you can actually use at that moment.
- 3
Enter the code and set a new password
The code arrives via SMS or email and is valid for a short time, so enter it immediately. Then type the new password twice. Use at least 12 characters, upper and lower case letters, numbers, and a symbol, and do not reuse a password from other sites.
- 4
If you are signed in on your phone, use that
On an Android phone or in the Gmail app, open the account settings and check if the sign-in is active. If it is, on the computer browser on the sign-in page select confirmation on the phone and approve it with a tap. This way you skip entering the password.
- 5
Check your passkey and backup codes
If you previously saved backup codes for two-factor authentication, look for them in a printed copy or in your password manager. A passkey is selected on the sign-in screen if it was previously set up on that device.
- 6
Fill out the account recovery form
When none of the recovery information works, at the end of the recovery screen select the option to try another way and fill out the form. Answer as accurately as possible: the date you opened the account, contact names, subjects of old emails, devices and networks you use. Google sends the response to the email you provide in the form.
- 7
Wait for a response and do not repeat attempts
The response usually arrives within a few days, and if it does not appear, check the spam folder as well. Do not start a new request every hour, as this only delays resolution. If the account is a business account, contact your company administrator.
When you cannot recover the account
If Google rejects the request, check whether an active session still exists on any device. On an Android phone, open Settings > Accounts and see if the account is there; if it is, immediately change the password from that device and add a new phone number and backup email. On the computer, check whether the sign-in remained in Chrome via the profile. When even that fails, the only thing left is a new request through the form with more detailed information. For business accounts in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the password is changed by the administrator, so do not waste time on personal recovery.
How to prevent it
- Always enter and verify a backup phone number and backup email in the account security settings
- Enable two-factor authentication and save backup codes in a safe place
- Use the browser's password manager or a dedicated app instead of notes
- Occasionally check whether the recovery information is still valid, especially after changing your number
When to call a professional
If the account is a business account, linked to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, or if there is a suspicion that the account has been taken over, it is better to contact IT support than to repeat recovery requests yourself.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Can I recover my Google account without a phone number?
You can if you have a backup email, a passkey, or confirmation on a device where you are already signed in. If you have none of that information, you are left with the account recovery form and a response from Google support.
How long does Google account recovery take?
When you receive a code, you set a new password in a few minutes. When the recovery form is filled out, the response usually arrives within a few days, and each new request can delay resolution.
Can the old password be restored?
No, passwords are not stored in readable form and cannot be viewed. A new password is set, and if someone else changed the account, immediately check active sessions and remove unknown devices.