To recover your Gmail account without a phone number, go to Google’s Account Recovery page, enter your email address, and then click ‘Try another way’ to skip phone number verification. Then confirm the identity with your old password, trusted device, passkey, backup code, or recovery email. Make sure to use the same device and network you normally use. Remember that recovery is possible but not guaranteed. So try to provide as much evidence as you can to increase your odds.
It works since Google verified the ownership in different ways using many signals, not just by your phone number. Losing the number does not prevent you from recovering the email. Though the recovery depends on the setting and the evidence you have. Having no password, recovery email, or signed-in device can cause the recovery to fail, and Google does not have a live support option to override that. This guide will show you how to maximize the chances of recovering.
Which recovery path is fastest for you?
The fastest path to recover your email depends on the access you have to different recovery options, such as recovery emails, a signed-in device, and a password. If you are signed in on any device, simply reset the password and recover the email. But if you don’t have that but remember the password, start with that process. A backup code or passkey is the next route for the fastest recovery. Having a recovery email allows you to get the recovery code. If you don’t have any of those, the recovery form is the last option for you.
Let’s check these 5 methods in a comparison table.
| Recovery route | What you need | Speed | Success likelihood |
| Signed-in device | Existed login on any phone/computer | Fastest (minutes) | Extremely high |
| Old password | Any of the previous passwords. | Fast | High |
| Passkey | Passkey saved somewhere. | Fast | High |
| Backup codes | Codes saved during 2-step verification setup. | Fast | High |
| Recovery email | Access to the recovery email. | Moderate | High |
| Recovery form | Details account information. | Slow (several days) | Lower, varies |
What to do before you start recovery
Before starting the recovery process, make sure to have a device that Google already recognizes and a location you normally sign in from. These familiar signals will increase the chance of your success.
According to Google’s official recovery tips, use the phone, tablet, or computer where you often log in to your Gmail. Use the location, like your home or office, to show trust signals.
However, do not turn on the VPN since it will mask your location, and the recovery request will look fake. And using a new or unfamiliar device or network is a common failure point. Trying multiple times with such failed attempts will temporarily restrict the recovery process, so answer carefully and prepare before starting the process.
How to recover a Gmail account without a phone number: step by step
For screenshot- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll8PIOmKZW4
Follow all the steps below to get a detailed idea about the recovery.
Step 1: Go to Google’s official Account Recovery page
Use a familiar device, location, and network, and go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery in any web browser. You can also search on Google for this address for the recovery address. But make sure you visit this exact address and do not browse any other website.
If you are on the phone, you can simply try to log in to your Gmail and click the ‘Forgot password’ option, and it will lead to the same page.
Step 2: Enter your Gmail address
Once you are on the page, type your Gmail address that you are trying to recover. For example, type [email protected] (put your original address here) and click Next. Cross-check it since a single mistake in character can send the wrong flow and waste your attempts.
Step 3: Enter the last password you remember
Google will first ask for the most recent password you can remember. It will be best if you can enter the last password. If not, try any one that you can recall from a month or even a year ago. A previous password is strong proof that you once owned this email. However, don’t guess randomly since it will waste your attempts again. Focus on lowercase and uppercase while typing to ensure accuracy. If you cannot remember any of your previous passwords, click ‘Try another way’.
Step 4: Choose “Try another way to sign in”
Google will send a code to your phone, but since you don’t have the number, you will not receive the code. So click ‘Try another way to sign in ’ or ‘I don’t have my phone’ that you will find near the bottom. This is the most important part of this process because it tells Google to offer some alternative methods to recover your account. You will find more than one option for recovery.
Step 5: Approve the prompt
If you are logged in on your phone, tablet, or laptop, Google will send a ‘Yes, it’s me’ prompt for you to accept. Tap ‘Yes’ to confirm, and if you see a number on the recovery screen, choose the matching one on your device. It works most of the time when you are logged in on a trusted device. Make sure the device has notifications enabled, or the prompt will not be received.
Step 6: Use your recovery email
If you have a recovery email, Google can send the code there instead of to the devices. Choose the option on the recovery page and send the code to the email. Now open your email and check your inbox on another device or tab. Get the code and enter it into the recovery page. Google can also send the code to the email you are recovering when you have access to the inbox of the email through any third-party app or script.
Step 7: Answer Google’s identity questions
If you fail to use any of the methods mentioned above, Google may ask you some questions, such as the approximate year and month in which this account was created. You may also be asked about frequent contact or connected service. Try to answer all the questions accurately and do not skip a single question. You can check your friend’s or colleague’s email where you used to send your emails to get an estimation of the creation year and frequency of contact.
Step 8: Reset your password and secure the account
Once you confirm your identity and ownership, you will be prompted to create a strong and new password. Create a password with capital and small letters, numbers, and symbols. Try not to use any password that you have used somewhere else. Save the password somewhere safe. Add a recovery email and phone number right after that, and if needed, add 2-step verification and passkey.
Recovering on your phone (Android or iPhone)
However, if you are on a phone where Gmail is partially signed in, you don’t need to go through this hassle. If you are running an Android phone, open Settings › Google › Manage your Google Account › Security, and then change the password directly from there. If you are using an iPhone, open the Gmail app, click the profile picture › Manage your Google Account › Security. You can reset the password using your device’s own screen lock.
How to recover a Gmail account with no phone number AND no recovery email
But what if you don’t have a phone number or a recovery email? You can still use some other methods such as backup codes, passkey, and recovery form.
Backup codes
During the 2-step verification setup, Google issues 10 single-use 8-digit backup codes to recover your account. You can use each 8-digit code once. Choose ‘try another way’, select the backup code option, and enter the unused code. It will work without even using the phone routes.
Passkeys
You can use passwordless sign-in with the PIN, face unlock, a physical security key, or your device’s fingerprint. Google has been offering passkeys as a default sign-in option since 2023. More than 400 million people are using passkeys, according to Google.
The account recovery form
This is the last stage of recovering, and chances are very low here. Google offers a manual recovery form where you will put as much identification information as you can. Google will review it within a few days, and you can check guidance on why recovery is delayed.
How to fix “Google couldn’t verify this account belongs to you”
Sometimes you will see “Google couldn’t verify this account belongs to you.” It means Google didn’t receive enough information to match the evidence. So do not worry and try again after a while. Google’s official tips for passing this hurdle are to answer as many questions as possible and not to skip any question, even if you are unsure. A common misconception people have is that you need to answer all the questions correctly. However, Google denies this. So be exact with the password for typos, case, and number, and be as accurate as possible for questions.
Gmail recovery scams you should avoid
99% of monitored organizations were targeted by account-takeover attempts in 2024. That means small to large organizations are getting attacked along with common people, making them a prime target for scams.
But remember that there is no Gmail recovery phone number, software, or third-party service that can unlock or recover your Google account if you cannot do it by following the methods mentioned above. All of the toll-free Gmail support lines, unlock software, and tools are fake and scams.
Google states that it will never ask for your verification codes or passwords over the phone, by email, or by text message. Besides, it will not contact you on its own initiative, no matter who you are. So be careful and always ignore such things.
What to do if you still can’t recover your Gmail account
If none of the methods work, the only solution you have is to create a replacement Google account and notify your contact about the matter. Google deliberately makes it harder for hackers to get your account, making it harder for the original owners to get back the accounts without solid proof.
But before giving up, check whether you have the password written somewhere or not. Check all the devices to see whether you are signed in anywhere or not. Check your old phones, computers, and tablets. You can also check the browser’s saved password manager for older passwords. If you keep it unused for so long, Google may make it impossible to recover.
If you need aged, verified, and bulk Gmail accounts, you can get those Gmail accounts from TheSmmExpert since they have been in the business for a long time with a strong customer base.
How to prevent future Gmail lockouts
To prevent future lockouts, add different recovery options now, and for that, follow the steps below.
- Add a recovery phone number, home address, and email in your security settings at myaccount.google.com.
- Set up a passkey to prevent phishing attacks and to make recovery easier.
- Enable 2-Step Verification and save that 10 single 8-digit coder somewhere secure and offline.
- Add a recovery contact for a trusted person to get your account back.
- Use a password manager so that you have the older passwords all the time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover my Gmail if I don’t have the phone number or the recovery email?
Yes. You can recover the account even if you don’t have the phone number or recovery email. Go to the recovery page, click ‘try another way’, use the old password, passkey, trusted device, form, or backup codes to get the account back.
Why does Google keep saying it can’t verify it’s me?
If you keep trying and the attempts are not providing enough evidence for verification, Google will keep saying that it cannot verify you. Retry after some time and make sure to turn off VPN, use your usual browser, device, and location, and answer all the questions properly.
Is there a Google phone number I can call to recover my account?
No. Google does not have a phone number that you can use to contact to recover your Gmail account. If someone says so, he or she is a scammer, and you must stay away from him or her.
How long does the account recovery form take?
Google claims that it takes 24-72 hours to review manually, but the actual time can go beyond that, ranging from several days to weeks.
What if I don’t remember when I created the account?
Try to best estimate the month and year and an approximate answer will help. You can check your friend’s email, to whom you often send emails, to check the first email. It will help you get the estimation.
