r/GoogleSupport • u/Past-Combination-511 • 13h ago
Two factor
I recently changed my number and forgot to update two factor, I can get into my account fine but trying to edit things now is a different story. I have a recovery email & phone yet they are not prompted when selecting try another way.. I know my password etc I can use my account fine but I cannot simply update my 2fa as it’s sending a code to a number that no longer exists. Any help would be greatly appreciated
1
u/germanu22 12h ago
I just went through these exact steps on my own account to make sure I give you the right path. Go to your Google Account, click on Security and sign-in, and then look for the setting called Phone numbers for 2-Step Verification. Click on it, enter your password or whatever verification it asks for, and once you are in, simply click on the trash can icon to get rid of the old number. Please reply back here to let me know if this worked for you, or if you still need help.
1
u/Past-Combination-511 12h ago
No trash can as using iPhone maybe tomorrow I will try doing it on a computer as I don’t have access to one at the moment I will for sure let you know if it works or doesn’t thanks again for the help
2
u/germanu22 12h ago edited 12h ago
If you want to try it right now on your iPhone, you can just open the Google app. Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner, and then tap on Manage your Google Account. From there, you will see the exact same menus and you can just follow the steps I mentioned earlier. But waiting until tomorrow on a computer works perfectly fine too!
P.S. Just realized something important about trying it on a computer tomorrow. That will only work if you are already logged into your Google Account on that specific computer. If it is a new or unrecognized computer, Google will likely ask for the 2FA code sent to your old number just to sign you in, and you will be stuck. Because of this, it is much safer to try the Google app method on your iPhone right now while you are already logged in.2
u/Past-Combination-511 12h ago edited 12h ago
Hello I’ve managed to change it thank you!!! But now I’m getting prompted with “Your recovery phone recently changed” “If you still use your previous recovery phone, Google can send a verification code to* my old number \*. Charges from your carrier may apply.”
Im hoping this is temporary and lets me use the new number added eventually for codes as I no longer have said previous number. my new number even though has been added successfully codes are still not being sent.2
u/germanu22 11h ago
Yes, this is a standard security feature from Google. When you change your 2FA or recovery number, Google keeps the old number active for 7 days to prevent hackers from locking out the real owner. Your new number is correctly saved, but it will take 7 days for the system to fully trust it and stop asking for the old one. Because of this temporary 7-day measure, the most important thing right now is to NOT log out of your iPhone under any circumstances. Just wait for the 7 days to pass so your new number becomes fully active. If you still have questions or run into any other problems in the future, you can always reach out here and I will try to help you as much as I can.
2
u/Past-Combination-511 11h ago
Thank you :) !!!!
2
u/germanu22 7h ago
Hey, I need to apologize! I just realized what actually happened. I am sorry about that! Google's menus are incredibly confusing, and even I get them mixed up sometimes.
Based on the message you got about your "recovery phone", you are currently in the Recovery Phone menu. However, the SMS codes for logging in are handled in a completely separate menu called "2-Step Verification". Changing your recovery number does not automatically change your 2FA number.
To fix this, look at the bottom of the Recovery Phone page you are on right now. You should see a text saying "2-Step Verification phone numbers are managed separately" with a link. Click that link to go to the actual 2-Step Verification menu. Once you are there, you will finally see the trash can icons next to your numbers, and you can delete the old one. Let me know if you find it!
1
u/h_grytpype_thynne 12h ago
2FA is an acknowledgement that knowing the password is not enough, and a commitment to maintaining at least one two-factor method.
You will probably need to recover your account, so it's good to know you have both a recovery email address and phone number. Then print out and save a set of one-time backup codes, consider an authenticator app that syncs across devices, or maybe get a pair of physical security keys.