Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 6
    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    3 min read 6 stepsJuly 8, 2026Verified July 2026

    How to Set Up Trusted Contacts for Account Recovery

    Add a family member as a trusted contact so you never get permanently locked out of your Apple or Google account if you forget your password.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    account recovery
    apple id
    google account
    security
    family

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Apple: open Account Recovery settings
    2. 2.Apple: the recovery contact confirms
    3. 3.Google: add a recovery phone and email
    4. 4.Google: consider Inactive Account Manager
    5. 5.Write down and store recovery information safely
    6. 6.Test that it works
    1

    Apple: open Account Recovery settings

    ~15s
    On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then "Sign-In & Security," then "Account Recovery." Tap "Add Recovery Contact" and follow the prompts to choose someone from your Contacts who also has an iPhone or iPad.
    2

    Apple: the recovery contact confirms

    ~27s
    The person you choose gets a notification asking them to accept. Once accepted, if you're ever locked out of your Apple ID, you can call them. And they can generate a special recovery code from their own device to help you back in. They never see your password.

    Quick Tip

    You can also set up a Legacy Contact at the same screen, which is different. It lets a trusted person access your account's data after you pass away, rather than helping with a forgotten password.

    3

    Google: add a recovery phone and email

    ~15s
    On a computer, go to myaccount.google.com/security and look for "Recovery phone" and "Recovery email." Add a phone number and a second email address (not your main Gmail) that you can access if you're ever locked out of this account.
    4

    Google: consider Inactive Account Manager

    ~18s
    Further down the Google security page is "Inactive Account Manager," where you can name someone to be notified and given access to specific parts of your account (like Photos) if you don't log in for a set period of time, such as 12 months — useful for making sure family photos aren't lost.
    5

    Write down and store recovery information safely

    ~19s
    Keep a written note in a safe place (not saved as a photo on your phone) listing which family member is your Apple recovery contact and which phone/email you used for Google recovery. If your memory of passwords is ever a concern, a trusted family member having this information ready saves hours of frustration.
    6

    Test that it works

    ~15s
    Ask your recovery contact to confirm they received and accepted the invitation. You don't need to actually lock yourself out to test it — just confirming the invite was accepted is enough to know the safety net is in place.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Set Up Trusted Contacts for Account Recovery

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    One of the most stressful tech problems is getting locked out of an Apple ID or Google account with no way back in. It can mean losing access to years of photos, emails, and contacts. Both Apple and Google offer a free feature that solves this ahead of time: a Recovery Contact (Apple) or a way to add a trusted phone/email (Google) that can help you get back in if you're ever locked out, without needing to remember complicated security questions from years ago.

    Setting this up before there's a problem takes about five minutes and is one of the single most useful things you can do to protect years of family photos and memories. It works especially well when an adult child or trusted family member is the recovery contact, since they can help walk you through the process if you ever do get locked out.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    account recovery
    apple id
    google account
    security
    family

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Recognize and Avoid Zelle Payment Scams

    Next →

    How to Turn On Hearing Protection Features on iPhone

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

    Simple steps to lock down your home router, keep strangers off your network, and protect every device in your house.

    3 min read

    Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Any Account

    Add a second layer of security to your most important accounts. This one change stops most account takeovers cold.

    3 min read

    Staying Safe on Social Media

    How to protect your privacy on Facebook and Instagram, spot fake accounts, and avoid the most common social media traps.

    3 min read