How to Get Back Into Your Google Account If You Forgot Your Password

Forgetting your Google account password is one of the most stressful tech problems because your Google account often holds your Gmail, photos, contacts, and access to your Android phone's apps. The good news is that Google has a recovery process that can help you get back in — as long as you have access to the phone number or recovery email address you set up on the account.

Start at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on any web browser. Enter your Gmail address and click "Next." Click "Forgot password?" Google will offer you several ways to verify your identity: it may send a text message with a code to your phone number, send a link to a backup email address you set up previously, or ask you security questions. Choose whichever option you have access to. If you receive a code by text, enter it on the screen and you will be given the option to create a new password.

If none of those options work — for example, if you no longer have access to your old recovery phone number — Google may ask you questions to verify your identity, such as when you created the account or the last password you remember. Answer as accurately as you can. If you still cannot get in, the last resort is Google's account recovery form, which you can find by searching "Google account recovery form" — this is a manual review process that can take a few days. After you regain access, right away add a current phone number as a recovery option so this does not happen again.