Locked out of your Google account? Here’s how to get back in
If you find yourself locked out of your Facebook account, don’t panic. Take solace in the fact that your strong password will also make it difficult for cybercriminals to get access. You shouldn’t trust a stranger who promises to help you get back into your accounts. Tap or click here to see why.
Google offers various methods to get back into a locked-out account. Whether you forgot your password, lost your phone (which is commonly used to get verification codes) or got hacked, you should be able to regain access to your Google account. If your account was hijacked, try to recover it as soon as possible.
Forgot your password
Again, a strong password is worth the chance that you may forget it. There is always an easy fix for forgotten passwords, from a verification code sent to your phone or an email containing a link to reset your password.
Google gives you a few options:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address or phone number.
- Click Next and choose how you want to sign in.
- Answer the questions to confirm it’s your account. Use these tips if you need help.
- Reset your password, choosing a strong one you haven’t used before. A password manager can help with this.
Forgot your username
It happens. You have multiple accounts and forgot one of your usernames. You can get this information easily for your Google account:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signin/usernamercovery and enter your email address or phone number.
- Click Next and enter the full name on your account.
- Follow the instructions to confirm it’s your account.
- Choose your username from the list.
Your account was hijacked
You may have been hacked if you notice strange activity on your account, such as finding emails you didn’t send, changed passwords, log-in credentials or notification from Google about some activity you don’t recognize.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of a cyberattack and can still sign in, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Google account, then select Security from the left panel.
- Select Review security activity under Recent security events.
- If you see unfamiliar activity, select No, secure account.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to secure your account.
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If you think you’ve been hacked and are unable to log in, follow these steps to recover your account:
- Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address or phone number.
- Click Next and choose how you want to sign in.
- Answer the questions to confirm it’s your account. Use these tips if you need help.
- Reset your password, choosing a strong one you haven’t used before. A password manager can help with this.
Avoid getting locked out in the first place
Recovery information helps you get back into your account if you’re locked out for any reason. Make sure that the data is correct and current.
Let’s start with the recovery phone number:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/rescuephone and log in, then click Next.
- From here, you can edit or delete your recovery phone number.
- Follow the onscreen instructions. Use the number to a phone you usually have on you that no one else has access to.
Now check up on your recovery email address:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/recovery/email and log in, then click Next.
- From here, you can edit or delete your recovery email
- Follow the onscreen instructions. Use an email address you use regularly that only you can access. It should be different from the address you use to sign into Google.
You may also like: Want to know if your router has been hacked? Tap or click here to learn how to spot the clues.
Tags: accounts, cyberattacks, cybercriminals, Facebook, Google, hackers, locked out, passwords, recovery, router, security, systems, Ukraine, username