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- You can recover a Google account if you’ve forgotten your email address, password, or even if you’ve been hacked.
- To recover your Google account, you’ll need to input some combination of a phone number, email address, or answers to security questions.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
There’s nothing quite so annoying as losing track of your email address or password and not being able to get into your Google account – especially if it houses most of your digital life.
Nothing, that is, except for having your account hacked by someone with nefarious purposes.
Regardless, there are ways to recover your Google account.
Here’s what you need to know.
Check out the product mentioned in this article:
Google Pixel 3 (From $439.99 at Best Buy)
How to recover a Google account if you forgot your email address
If you’re having trouble logging into your Google account because you can’t remember your email address, go to Google’s Find My Email page and follow the prompts.
You’ll need to be able to provide the full name associated with your account, as well as the phone number or the recovery email address associated with it.
Devon Delfino/Business Insider
How to recover a Google account if you forgot your password
If your password is the issue, use the Account Recovery page to reset your password. You’ll be asked to confirm your identity by answering a few security questions.
Devon Delfino/Business Insider
If possible, try to complete this process using a device (and browser) that you used to sign into the account previously and in a location where you’ve used the account.
If you aren’t able to verify your identity through the security questions, you’ll be able to try again. Google also offers helpful tips if you’re having trouble answering the security questions correctly.
After successfully confirming your identity, you will be able to reset your password.
If you use this option, however, be aware that you will have to provide the email address, so if you forgot both, start with the "forgot email address" instructions as listed above.
How to recover a Google account if your account was hacked
If you aren’t able to login to your Google account — for example, if you’re trying to login to your Google account on a Google Pixel or another device or computer, and you find that someone has changed your password or recovery phone number, or deleted your account (or in some cases, even if you deleted the account) — you will also use Google’s Account Recovery page.
Simply answer the questions as best you can and follow the prompts.
If all else fails, or you can’t sign in for another reason (like you’re having trouble with two-step verification or you can’t reset your password with a code by text), you can get help signing in and recover your account directly through Google.
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
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How to sign out of a Google account on your desktop or mobile device
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How to change your Google password, or recover it if you’ve forgotten it
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How to set up and customize Google Alerts to stay updated on the topics that matter most to you
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How to change your Google background for a more enjoyable user experience
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See Also:
- How to add your fingerprints to a Google Pixel phone for log-in security, and remove their data later if you need to
- How to delete photos from your iPhone without deleting them from iCloud
- How to see your Wi-Fi password using ‘Keychain Access’ on a Mac computer, so you can share it with others
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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Devon Delfino)