Deepak Gupta

Can't sign in to your Google Account or Gmail

Use Google's account recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Use a device, browser, and place you usually sign in from, answer every question, and guess if you are not sure. Google says there's no limit to how many times you can try, and wrong guesses won't kick you out.

Do these 3 things now

1Open accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on a device you usually use for Google.Read to them:“Open accounts.google.com/signin/recovery on a device you usually use for Google.”
2Forgot which address you used? Go to accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery.Read to them:“Forgot which address you used? Go to accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery.”
3Don't pay or reply to anyone offering to recover your account. Google says you can't call Google for help to sign in.Read to them:“Don't pay or reply to anyone offering to recover your account. Google says you can't call Google for help to sign in.”

Start Google Account recovery

Official link: accounts.google.com

I am helping someone else

Helper mode: each step is written for you to read aloud. Let them tap and type on their own device; never ask them to send you a code. Send them this first.

01Is this you?

You forgot your Google password.
Codes go to an old phone number or email you can't reach.
You aren't sure which Gmail address the account uses.

Not quite? Someone changed my password · Google says my account is disabled · My phone number was taken over

02Official recovery path

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your Gmail address. If you don't know it, use accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery first.Read to them:“Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your Gmail address. If you don't know it, use accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery first.”source
Use a computer, phone, or tablet you often sign in with, in the browser you usually use, from a place you normally sign in, like home or work.Read to them:“Use a computer, phone, or tablet you often sign in with, in the browser you usually use, from a place you normally sign in, like home or work.”source
Answer every question and don't skip any. Take your best guess if you are not sure.Read to them:“Answer every question and don't skip any. Take your best guess if you are not sure.”source
If asked for your last password, enter the most recent one you remember. If you can't, an older one is next best.Read to them:“If asked for your last password, enter the most recent one you remember. If you can't, an older one is next best.”source
If asked for an email address, enter one you added to the account. If a code goes to an inbox you can't open, select Try another way.Read to them:“If asked for an email address, enter one you added to the account. If a code goes to an inbox you can't open, select Try another way.”source
Once you are back in, update your recovery phone and email so this is easier next time.Read to them:“Once you are back in, update your recovery phone and email so this is easier next time.”source

Did that get you back in?

Yes

Lock it down now. Change the password, turn on two-step, sign out other devices. It takes about 15 minutes.

No

A.If you see "Google couldn't verify this account belongs to you", try again. There's no limit on attempts.Read to them:“If you see "Google couldn't verify this account belongs to you", try again. There's no limit on attempts.”source
B.Check spam or junk for an email titled "Your Google support inquiry".Read to them:“Check spam or junk for an email titled "Your Google support inquiry".”source
C.If you just changed your recovery info, Google says it may take up to 7 days to take effect. Try again after a few days.Read to them:“If you just changed your recovery info, Google says it may take up to 7 days to take effect. Try again after a few days.”source
D.If you still can't get in, Google suggests creating a replacement Google Account.Read to them:“If you still can't get in, Google suggests creating a replacement Google Account.”source

Then: how long it takes

03How long it takes

Published by the platform

Google says recovery requests can be delayed for a few hours or a number of days, depending on risk factors. Changes to recovery info can take up to 7 days to take effect.

While you wait

Watch your recovery phone and email for notices from Google.
If you can sign in on a device you normally use, try the recovery steps again from it.
List the sites that use this Gmail address, so you can update them if you end up on a new account.

04Warn your contacts

Send this from another account or by text, so nobody falls for messages sent in your name.

I'm locked out of my Gmail [address] for now. If you get a message from it asking for money, a code, or to click a link, check with me another way first. You can reach me at [other contact].

More templates: email, followers, customers

05Watch out for recovery scams

People who just lost an account are the main target of fake helpers. Only Google Account and Gmail's own app or website can restore your account.

Fake "Google support" phone numbers in search results and ads. Google says you can't call Google for help to sign in to your account. How it works
Paid recovery services and "hackers" who offer to get your account back. Google says it doesn't work with any service that offers account or password support. How it works
Calls from "Google Account Security". Google says it never calls you about your account security, and never asks for codes or device approvals by phone. How it works

All recovery scams and how to spot them

06Once you're back in: lock it down

0 of 9 doneAbout 32 minutes total

Run Security Checkup5 minOpen myaccount.google.com/security-checkup and work through each item it flags.source
Change your password, and every reused one5 minChange your Google password. Then change it on any site that used the same password, or that lets you sign in with your Gmail. Check your passwords shows saved passwords that need fixing.source
Sign out devices you don't know3 minIn your Google Account, open Security & sign-in. In Your devices, select Manage all devices. Sign out of any device you don't recognize.source
Check Recent security activity2 minOpen myaccount.google.com/notifications and look for sign-ins or security changes you did not make.source
Fix your recovery phone and email3 minMake sure the recovery phone number and recovery email are yours and still work. Remove any you don't recognize.source
Create a passkey3 minGo to myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/passkeys and tap Create a passkey. Only do this on a device you own.source
Turn on 2-Step Verification5 minIn your Google Account, open Security & sign-in. Under How you sign in to Google, turn on 2-Step Verification and follow the steps.source
Print backup codes3 minUnder How you sign in to Google, select 2-Step Verification. Under Backup codes, use Get backup codes, then print or download them. Each code works once.source
Remove apps with access3 minOpen myaccount.google.com/linkedapps and remove access for any app you don't use or don't recognize.source

Then do the 24-hour cleanup.

Free toolExposure CheckSee what of yours is already public.Free toolPassword Breach CheckCheck if a password shows up in known leaks.ReadHow do I know if my email was leaked?

07How it probably happened

Most likely
A forgotten password and an out-of-date recovery phone or email
Also common
A changed phone number, or a SIM swap, so codes no longer reach you
How this scam works
Less common
Someone else changed your details after a phishing email
How this scam works

Account taken, recovery details swapped

08Report it

Avoid and report phishing emails (Gmail Help)

Lost money, being blackmailed, or someone is using your account to scam others? Report it to your country's cybercrime service too. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.

United States

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report online crime, including account takeovers that led to money loss or extortion. The IC3 never contacts you first and never asks for money.
FTC ReportFraudReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.govUse it if someone used your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name. You get a recovery plan.

United Kingdom

Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)Run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Forward scam texts to 7726Free on most UK networks. Your provider can look into the sender and block it.
Report a scam email to the NCSCForward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk before you delete it.
Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalRun by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Reports go to state and UT police.
Chakshu on Sanchar SaathiReport suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages to the Department of Telecommunications. It is not for money already lost: call 1930 for that.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930Toll free, 24 hours. Call fast if money left your account: it can help freeze the transfer.

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report onlineVictims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online. Also contact your local police as soon as you can.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501Toll free. The CAFC does not contact people to ask for money.

Australia

ReportCyberReport cybercrime to police. Your report may go to your state or territory police or the AFP.
ScamwatchReport a scam, even if you lost no money. The AFP also points people worried about identity theft to IDCARE, a free support service.
ReportCyber phone line: 1300 292 371Report concerns about cybercrime or cyber security incidents. If life is at risk, call 000.

09Questions people ask

Can I call Google to recover my account?

No. Google says that for your security, you can't call Google for help to sign in to your account. The account recovery page is the way in.

How many times can I try?

Google says there's no limit to the number of times you can attempt to recover your account.

I don't have my old phone number. Can I still recover?

Maybe. Answer the other questions, use a device and place you normally sign in from, and select Try another way when a challenge can't reach you.

How long does recovery take?

Google says requests can be held for a few hours or a number of days, depending on risk. Recovery info changes can take up to 7 days to take effect.

I forgot my Gmail address. What do I do?

Use Google's username recovery page at accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery to find it, then start account recovery.

Sources and last check

Last verified: October 16, 2026. Steps checked against the platform's own help pages listed below. Device testing is ongoing; steps marked unconfirmed are still waiting for it.

How to recover your Google Account or Gmail (read 2026-10-16)
Tips to complete account recovery steps (read 2026-10-16)
Why your account recovery request is delayed (read 2026-10-16)

Wrong step or changed screen? Report it. Never include passwords or codes.