Why can’t I access gmail on my phone anymore?
June 23, 2023 11:45 AM Subscribe
Recently, whenever I try to access gmail on my iPhone, I get a message saying they can’t verify that I am me. This happens with both my email accounts. When I log in on the Wi-Fi at work, it’s fine. I have the same problem when I use my phone as a hotspot and try to log in to gmail on my laptop. It’s not a new phone or number, and I haven’t changed providers or plans. What gives?
I only use gmail in a browser. Changing browsers doesn’t help. Restarting the phone doesn’t help. My usage patterns haven’t changed. Why might this be happening now? I did notice that the landing page with the huge “HAVE A BETTER EXPERIENCE IN THE APP” link changed in appearance lately. Are they just trying to force me to use the app? Once I access my accounts, I have messages with security warnings, but they don’t include a button for “This is normal. Please chill.” Any suggestions for getting this to stop?
I only use gmail in a browser. Changing browsers doesn’t help. Restarting the phone doesn’t help. My usage patterns haven’t changed. Why might this be happening now? I did notice that the landing page with the huge “HAVE A BETTER EXPERIENCE IN THE APP” link changed in appearance lately. Are they just trying to force me to use the app? Once I access my accounts, I have messages with security warnings, but they don’t include a button for “This is normal. Please chill.” Any suggestions for getting this to stop?
Have you run the iOS security update that Apple pushed-out this week? Among other things, it patches a webkit issue.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:02 PM on June 23, 2023
posted by Thorzdad at 12:02 PM on June 23, 2023
Best answer: You should probably go onto the work wifi, go into your Google accounts security, and closely scrutinize all the logins. Do you have two-factor (or two-step) authentication enabled?
I'm guessing that something on your phone/network has been flagged on Google's systems as a security risk, it's trying to perform additional verification, and it just... can't. Potentially because you haven't logged into Google with the app (any Google app including Youtube) and it can't guess what to do next. Web access instead of app means you give Google less information about yourself but it also means that Google doesn't have that information to verify who you are.
posted by meowzilla at 12:16 PM on June 23, 2023
I'm guessing that something on your phone/network has been flagged on Google's systems as a security risk, it's trying to perform additional verification, and it just... can't. Potentially because you haven't logged into Google with the app (any Google app including Youtube) and it can't guess what to do next. Web access instead of app means you give Google less information about yourself but it also means that Google doesn't have that information to verify who you are.
posted by meowzilla at 12:16 PM on June 23, 2023
Do you have an iPhone, and is iCloud Private Relay on? If so, you might try turning it off.
posted by hooray at 2:19 PM on June 23, 2023
posted by hooray at 2:19 PM on June 23, 2023
Response by poster: Ugh, fine. I set up two factor authentication, and I can get in now. Thanks, all.
posted by Comet Bug at 3:58 PM on June 23, 2023
posted by Comet Bug at 3:58 PM on June 23, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Alensin at 11:54 AM on June 23, 2023