Forgot Gmail password, scared of being locked out

March 28, 2024 8:54 AM

My very tech-unsavvy friend has forgotten her Gmail password - for over a year. She is still logged into Gmail and able to use it on her iPad and iPhone (both the Mail app and the Gmail app). But she doesn't know the password, has no backup authentication account or phone number registered with Gmail, and is terrified to try anything because if she gets locked out of Gmail she's screwed. How can she safely reset the password?

She is VERY tech un-savvy - and I can help her but I'm scared to mess it up for her - so clear, super simple, step-by-step advice is best.
Thank you!

posted by nouvelle-personne to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

Pretty sure this is easy because I forget mine all the time but I'm still logged in on my phone. I think when you go to "Forgotten your password?' it makes a pop up come up in the app on your phone. There's definitely a few hoops to jump through (Gmail how to) but if she's there with you with her iPhone it should be fine.
posted by atlantica at 9:02 AM on March 28

While logged into the Gmail app, you can try to change your password. To do this, go to the Gmail app settings, tap on your account, and select "Personal info". From there, you should be able to change your password. [1]
posted by ben30 at 9:40 AM on March 28 [1 favorite]

Have you helped your friend check to make sure she hasn't entered this somewhere in her phone? Somewhere in settings, where she can enter her itunes/Apple password to find it?
posted by bluedaisy at 10:04 AM on March 28 [2 favorites]

I agree with bluedaisy - do a deep dive into her keychain on the iPad and phone -- the password might be there already.
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:11 AM on March 28 [1 favorite]

Following up bluedaisy, I used to store passwords in my Contacts, e.g., the contact would be Google and in the Notes section I would put a disguised version of the password.
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:12 AM on March 28

On my iPad, I go to Settings, touch Passwords, bringing up a prompt to use fingerprint ID to view saved passwords, which when touched takes me to an alphabetized list of list of sites with saved passwords, then touch Google.com on that list, which then shows me the password with dots in place of the actual characters, then touch that row of dots and the actual password appears.
posted by jamjam at 10:13 AM on March 28 [4 favorites]

Here are step-by-step instructions with visuals for how to see saved passwords on your iPhone.
posted by LKWorking at 10:14 AM on March 28 [8 favorites]

However, I access Gmail through Safari rather than an app, so my solution may not work for her.
posted by jamjam at 10:30 AM on March 28