Troubleshooting

Beginner

5 min read 6 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

Locked Out of Your Google or Microsoft Account? Here Is How to Get Back In

A forgotten password or failed two-factor sign-in can lock you out of your email and apps.

At a Glance

Recover a Google (Gmail) account

~36s

On any device, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address you are trying to recover. Google will ask you to verify your identity using methods you set up when you created your account — a backup email address, a phone number that can receive a text message, or a phone that is already signed in to your Google account. Follow the prompts for whichever method is available.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: If none of the standard options work, Google offers an account recovery form at accounts.google.com/signin/v2/recoveryidentifier. You will be asked to confirm details about your account — the more accurately you can answer, the better your chances. Google's help page for account recovery is at support.google.com/accounts/answer/7682439.

Recover a Microsoft (Outlook, Hotmail, Live) account

~27s

Go to account.live.com/acsr — this is Microsoft's Account Recovery page. Enter your email address and the CAPTCHA, then click Next. Microsoft will offer options to verify your identity including a code sent to a backup email, a code sent to a phone number, or a trusted device that is already signed in. Complete whichever method is available.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Microsoft's recovery page is at support.microsoft.com/account-recovery. If automated options fail, look for "I don't have any of these" to start a manual review.

Recover an Apple ID account

~27s

Go to iforgot.apple.com. Enter your Apple ID (your email address) and click Continue. Apple will try to verify you using a trusted phone number or a trusted device that is already signed in to your Apple ID. If you have a trusted iPhone or iPad nearby, Apple can send a reset notification straight to that device. If you have none of these, Apple offers an account recovery process. It may take several days and will ask you to confirm personal information.

Use a trusted device you are already signed in to

~24s

This is often the fastest recovery method. If you have another phone, tablet, or computer where you are already signed into the account, use it to change your password from within the account settings. For Google: go to myaccount.google.com → SecurityPassword. For Microsoft: go to account.microsoft.com → SecurityChange password. For Apple: go to Settings → tap your name → Password & SecurityChange Password.

Contact support as a last resort

~30s

If automated recovery fails: Google support is at support.google.com/accounts/gethelp. Microsoft phone support is 1-800-642-7676 (Monday–Friday, 6 AM–10 PM Pacific). Apple phone support is 1-800-275-2273 (available 24 hours). Be prepared to verify your identity. They may ask for purchase history, account creation details, or other information tied to the account.

Warning

Only contact support through official phone numbers or websites you find yourself. Do not call any phone number given to you in an email, a pop-up, or a search ad — those are often scam numbers targeting people who are locked out of accounts.

Secure your account after getting back in

~32s

Once you have access again, take 10 minutes to add backup methods so recovery is faster next time. Add a backup email address, verify a phone number, and for Google and Apple, save a set of one-time recovery codes and store them somewhere safe. Turn on two-factor verification if it was not already on. Check "Recent activity" or "Security events" in your account settings to confirm no unauthorized sign-ins occurred while you were locked out.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Google's account security checkup is at myaccount.google.com/security-checkup. Microsoft's is at account.microsoft.com/security. Running these takes about 3 minutes and flags any issues.

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Getting locked out of an email account is one of the most common tech problems people face — especially after a phone upgrade or a forgotten password. It's frightening because so many other services depend on your email. Bank notifications, medical apps, shopping accounts, and social media all use your email address to prove it's really you.

The good news: Google, Microsoft, and Apple all have account recovery processes built for exactly this. They can get you back in even if you've forgotten your password and can't access the two-factor code they normally send.

The process works by verifying your identity through other means — a backup email address, a phone number, a trusted device, or security questions you set up when you first created the account. The more of these you have set up, the easier recovery will be.

If the standard recovery process doesn't work, all three companies offer a manual identity verification option, often called an account recovery form. A support team reviews your case and may restore access after verifying your identity another way. This can take a few days.

Once you're back in, the most important thing you can do is add backup recovery methods so this doesn't happen again: a backup email address, a verified phone number, and saved recovery codes.

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