2 Simple Ways to Recover Your Gmail Password

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Learn what to do if you forgot your Gmail password

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 29, 2024 Fact Checked

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Have you forgotten your Gmail password? Fortunately, it's quick and easy to restore access to your account by resetting your password. This wikiHow article will show you how to recover a lost or forgotten Gmail password using Google Settings on your Android phone or tablet, or using a web browser on your iPhone, iPad, or computer.

Things You Should Know

On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security > Password > Forgot password, then choose a recovery method.
On an iPhone, iPad, or computer, go to https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery to recover your password.
Once you have access to your Gmail account, change the password to something you'll remember!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Android

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1
Open Settings. You'll find this gear icon in the Quick Menu if you swipe down from the top of your screen.
- This is the best way for Android users to recover their Gmail password as long as the account is associated with the phone. If your Gmail is not on your phone, use the method with a web browser.
It's next to an uppercase "G" on a blue background.

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You'll see this under your profile picture.
You may need to slide the menu left to find this option (the menu starts with the "Home" and "Personal info" tabs).
" To find this option, you might need to scroll down the menu.
It's in blue text below the field where you could enter your password if you know it.
7
Select a recovery method. There are numerous ways that you can get into your account:
- Confirm your screen lock. Since you're using an Android device that you've previously logged in with, you can use your phone's lock passcode, PIN, or pattern to continue.
- Enter your password. If you remember a previous password, use it to get access to your Gmail account.
  - This is the best method to use if you no longer have the device that you used to set up the account or if you no longer have the phone that was last associated with your Gmail.
- Get a verification code. If you have a recovery email account, a code will go to that email so you can use that to get into your Gmail account.
- Try another way to sign in. This works if you've previously had that Google or Gmail account on your phone and will automatically log you in or offer you more options for logging in, like emailing your email with a recovery code that you can access from another computer or smartphone.
- Once you get in to your account, you can change your password.^{[1]
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  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Web Browser

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Go to https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery in a web browser. If you're using an iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, or Chromebook, you can use Google's account recovery website to recover your Gmail password.
This will continue you through the process of recovering your password.
3
Select a recovery method or Try another way to sign in. There are numerous ways that you can get into your account:
- Enter your password. If you remember a previous password, use it to get access to your Gmail account.
  - This is the best method to use if you no longer have the device that you used to set up the account or if you no longer have the phone that was last associated with your Gmail.
- Get a verification code. If you have a recovery email account, a code will go to that email so you can use that to get into your Gmail account.
- Try another way to sign in. You might see more options, or you could get an alert on your phone that you're requesting access to the web browser. If there's a phone number connected to your account, you may be able to have the code emailed, called, or texted to you instead. The options you'll see depend on what information you've provided to Google.
- Once you get in to your account, you can change your password.^{[2]
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  Research source}

Community Q&A

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Question

Someone hacked my account. What should I do?

Community Answer

Do a "forgot password" and change your password immediately. This may reduce the chance of the person hacking again.

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Question

How do I reset my Gmail password if I haven't accessed my Gmail account in years?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

You can use a recovery email instead, or you can try to Contact Google to reset the password.

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Question

I have the phone that I used to create the account, and I want to reset my Gmail password. When I try, I don't get a text message, but I have to complete the recovery form and I don't know the start date. How do I get it to let me reset the password?

Community Answer

If you have forgotten your password and can no longer access your Gmail account, here are a few quick steps to recover your account. Google Account Recovery. Go to Google's Account Recovery page and select "I don't know my password". Then enter your Gmail email address and click on Continue: It will prompt you for the recovery.

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Tips

Keep yourself and your digital information secure by using 2-Step Verification for your Gmail account.

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If you use Google Chrome, you can check all your passwords in the web browser's settings, even the password you use for Gmail.

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If your Google account was disabled or deleted, you can recover it.

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