Locked out of main Gmail account

October 10, 2023 9:11 AM

I truly apologize if this is easily google-able (I did try but didn't really find an answer). Somehow, gmail thinks I changed my password, or maybe I did and then didn't update it on my computer. Anyhow, it's not accepting the last password I know I used.

I've tried to reset it using 2 factor authentification on my phone, and then having them send a link for resetting my password to my work email (also a gmail address, which I can get into). Therein lies the problem: this reset password email does not show up. I've checked spam and trash. Now what should I do? Thanks!

posted by bookworm4125 to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Are you signed into that google account on any of your devices?
posted by zippy at 9:49 AM on October 10, 2023

Can you check with your work IT admin folks whether the reset email is getting filtered by their security restrictions, and whether they can manually let it get through?
posted by MiraK at 9:52 AM on October 10, 2023

Response by poster: Yes, I am still signed in on my phone.
There shouldn't be security restrictions on my work email as far as I know.
posted by bookworm4125 at 10:13 AM on October 10, 2023

bookworm, what's the deal with being signed in on your phone - is it a situation where you're, like, afraid to refresh it in case you get logged out there as well? If not, then maybe you can add [e-mail] to your address book and then get the reset email sent to yourself in the same account to which you have forgotten the password?
posted by MiraK at 12:33 PM on October 10, 2023

I don't think Google would let you set your recovery account to the account you're trying to recover.

Check your memail.
posted by potrzebie at 12:37 PM on October 10, 2023

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! Since I was still signed in on my phone, I was able to get the recovery email sent to my main account and successfully updated my password.
posted by bookworm4125 at 8:27 AM on October 11, 2023 [1 favorite]