How to Add Recovery Options to a Google Account
Adding recovery options to your Google Account is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your account from lockout and data loss. Recovery options such as a phone number, recovery email address, and security key provide alternative ways to verify your identity if you forget your password, lose access to your primary device, or if your account is compromised. Without recovery options, regaining access to a locked account can be extremely difficult or even impossible. (Google, n.d.)
Why Recovery Options Matter
Your Google Account stores emails, documents, photos, contacts, and access to many other services. Losing access to this account could mean losing access to years of important data. Recovery options provide a safety net that allows Google to verify your identity and help you regain access. Google recommends adding at least two recovery options to ensure you have a backup method available. For example, if your recovery phone is lost or stolen, your recovery email can still be used to verify your identity.
How to Add a Recovery Phone Number
Follow these steps to add or update your recovery phone number:
Step 1: Sign in to your Google Account and go to the Security section.
Step 2: Under the “How you sign in to Google” section, click .
Step 3: Enter your phone number and click . Google will send a verification code via SMS to confirm the number.
Step 4: Enter the verification code and click . Your recovery phone number is now active.
The recovery phone number can be used to receive verification codes via SMS or voice call. Make sure to keep this number up to date if you change your mobile number.
How to Add a Recovery Email Address
Follow these steps to add or update your recovery email address:
Step 1: Sign in to your Google Account and go to the Security section.
Step 2: Under the “How you sign in to Google” section, click .
Step 3: Enter the email address you want to use for recovery and click . Google will send a verification code to that email address.
Step 4: Enter the verification code and click . Your recovery email address is now active.
The recovery email address should be an email account that you can access even if you cannot access your Google Account. It could be an email address from another provider such as Outlook, Yahoo, or any other service. Do not use the same email address that is already associated with Google services as the primary email.
How to Set Up a Security Key
A security key provides an additional layer of protection for your Google Account. It is a physical device or a built-in authenticator on your phone that you use to verify your identity when signing in. Follow these steps to register a security key:
Step 1: Sign in to your Google Account and go to the Security section.
Step 2: Under the “How you sign in to Google” section, click and turn it on if it is not already enabled.
Step 3: Scroll down to “Security keys” and click .
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to register your security key. You may be prompted to insert a physical key or use your device’s built-in authenticator.
Once registered, your security key can be used to sign in to your Google Account without needing to enter a password on supported devices. This provides strong protection against phishing and account takeover attempts.
Managing Your Recovery Options
You can review and update your recovery options at any time by visiting the Security section of your Google Account. It is good practice to periodically check that your recovery phone number and recovery email address are still current. If you change your phone number or email address, update your recovery options immediately to avoid being locked out of your account.
Google also provides a Google Takeout service to back up your data, which we cover in our guide on how to backup a Google Account with Google Takeout.
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References
Google. (n.d.). Add a recovery phone number or email address. In Google Account Help. https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/183723
For more information, please visit the official Google Account Security website and the archives at Google Support; or run a search via Bing, DuckDuckGo or Google for “google account recovery options”.
📅 June 11, 2026
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