How To Recover Your Gmail Password Without A Phone Number Or Recovery Email

Losing access to your Gmail account can cause immediate stress. Whether you forgot your password or someone hacked into your account, it's still possible to recover your Gmail password, though the process can take time and isn't guaranteed. 

The process is much easier with a recovery email or phone number, but you may still be able to access your Google account without them. Keep reading to learn how to recover your Gmail password and the best password management tools to prevent security breaches.

How to recover your Gmail password without a recovery email or phone number

If you no longer have access to your recovery email or phone number, you can still recover your Gmail password. But you will need a familiar device you have used frequently to access your Gmail account.

Steps to recover your Gmail password without a recovery email or phone number

1. Go to the Google Account Recovery page.
   
2. Enter your Gmail username.
   
3. Select Try another way.
   
4. Google may automatically send a notification to a familiar device. It will tell you to check the device for the notification. Select Yes, it's me on the familiar device.
   
5. Check your original device for a code, then select the same code on the familiar device.
   

   

   
   

6. Alternatively, you can select Try another way to connect with a different device.
   

   

   
   

7. Once your account is recovered, you should update your password and add a recovery email and phone number.

How to set up a recovery email and phone number

While using familiar devices to recover a Gmail account is possible, it also helps to add a recovery email and phone number. This way, you have more options to recover your account if one method becomes unavailable.

Some other benefits include:

• Google can notify you of suspicious activity on your account.
• It’s easier to prove you are the owner of your account.
• You can block unauthorized users from accessing your account.

How to set up a recovery email on a computer

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. Choose Personal info from the left-hand menu.
3. Under Contact info, select Email.
4. Under Recovery email, click on Add recovery email.
5. You may be prompted to sign in again.
6. Follow the instructions to add a recovery email.
7. If you want to add more alternate emails, go back to Step 4. Under Alternate emails, select Add alternate email and follow the instructions.

How to set up a recovery phone number on a computer

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. Choose Personal info from the left-hand menu.
3. Under Contact info, select Phone.
4. Select Set Up.
5. Follow the prompts to add a recovery phone number.

How to recover your Google account

The password you use for your Google account is the same password you use to access Gmail, YouTube, and Google Play. Recovering a Google account follows the same steps you used to recover your Gmail account. However, it's a lot easier to do so if you’ve already added a recovery email or phone number.

Steps to recover a Google account

Here are some steps you can take to recover your Google account. Keep in mind that account recovery can vary in duration and outcome based on how much information Google can verify. Most verification attempts are actually denied if your info doesn't match, so you may need to try a couple of times. 

• Forgot your password: Enter your Google username on the Account Recovery page and then select Forgot password? Follow the prompts to confirm you own the account. You can reset the password when prompted.
• Forgot username: You can still recover your account even if you don't remember your email address. Go to the Username Recovery page and enter the recovery email or phone number linked to the Google account. Follow the instructions to confirm you own the account.
• Someone else has locked your account: If an unauthorized person has taken over your account, you still have options to recover it. Go to the Account Recovery page and follow the prompts to regain access.

Google has also rolled out new recovery and authentication tools that go beyond traditional password and recovery methods, such as email or phone verification. These include designating a trusted contact and setting up passkeys.

Once you have recovered your account, you should review account activity and devices. Removing unfamiliar devices and reporting suspicious activity is crucial to securing your account.

How to remove unauthorized individuals

• Go to your Google Account.
• Select Security on the left-hand menu.
• Under Recent security events, select Review security events. Report any activity that wasn't from you.
• Under Your devices, select Manage devices. Remove any devices that you don't recognize.

New Google account recovery methods

Google has introduced additional recovery options that allow you to designate a recovery contact or sign in with your mobile number.

1. Visit Google's Recovery Contacts page to complete the security prompts and designate a recovery contact. If you get locked out of your Google account, your trusted contact can receive a short verification code. The gist is that they'll send you a code to enter, which verifies your identity with Google. You should then be able to reset your password. 

Keep in mind that your recovery contact will need to have accepted the invite beforehand. 

2. You can verify your identity using the phone number linked to your Google account and a lock-screen passkey that's connected to your known device. This is one option for passwordless authentication: you'll use your device's passkey to verify your identity with Google.

However, this feature may not yet be available to all users. 

How to contact Google for help recovering your Gmail account

To contact Google for help, start by visiting the troubleshooting page. Select your problem and then follow the instructions to recover your Gmail account.

Unfortunately, the process is automated for free email accounts. You shouldn't expect to get ahold of a live agent for help. Google encourages stuck users to hit the forums for additional support, which is disappointing. You can connect with the Google Account Help Community for any questions.

The official help for password recovery is via the Account Recovery page. Live support is limited or unavailable for most users.

Store your Google passwords with a secure password manager

Using a secure password manager offers many benefits over Google's built-in password manager. You can use a password manager to create, store, and manage your passwords across multiple accounts and devices. Plus, many password managers offer advanced security features such as encryption, secure sharing, and detailed security reports. These tools make remembering your passwords easier and ensure that each one is unique.

Here are a few password managers that can protect your sensitive information. 

NordPass offers multiple security features, such as biometric authentication, secure password sharing, emergency access, and password vulnerability detection. 

Aura Password Manager automatically bundles real-time antivirus protection and a secure VPN with its base plan. You can upgrade to a full security suite that includes identity theft protection, ID theft insurance, and even credit monitoring. 

RoboForm is a budget-friendly password manager that's easy to set up and use. The core features, such as the password generator and autofill, worked flawlessly during testing. 

Keeper has all the features you expect in a password manager, including encryption and password generators. However, you can customize your plan with add-ons like secure file storage, data breach alerts, and priority support.

Bottom line

You can recover a Gmail account with a recovery email address, phone number, or familiar device. Google will send a verification code to one of these three options, which you can then use to recover your Google account. Once you're back in, you can add more alternate email and phone number options for easier recovery in the future.

If you frequently forget passwords, you might want to consider a password manager. It's more secure than using Google's built-in password manager, and many password managers even offer a Chrome extension for easier use.

The best password managers can safely store your passwords and help you create unique passwords for all your accounts. This can help keep your data secure.

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