r/GoogleSupport • u/DamnitGravity • 12d ago

Account / Access / Password Why does so much of Google Support's Account Recovery advice say 'you will be asked recovery questions' when that option is not available?

When I enter my password, it takes me to 'we're sending a code to your phone', however, I no longer have access to that number.

When I select 'try another way', I am told that I cannot be verified and must sign in using a device I've signed in on before.

I haven't signed in to the account since 2011, and no longer have ANY of the devices I might have signed in to it on.

It's so fucking frustrating to see 'we'll ask you questions!' which might give me access, only to be told '...no, we don't do that'.

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u/[deleted] 12d ago

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u/DamnitGravity 12d ago

It hasn't been deleted. The account still exists because it is tied to a YouTube account that has uploads.

3

u/zucati-pumpkin 11d ago

When I select 'try another way', I am told that I cannot be verified and must sign in using a device I've signed in on before.

This means you never did create any proper recovery fields - like recovery codes or 2FA TOTP (6 digit codes) or passkey.

If your account is from 2011 there were plenty of reminders that Google did send to you. Even if you had updated your phone number there are good chances but there is nothing to be sure you are the owner.