Google has introduced a new account recovery system called Recovery Contacts, building on its broader push toward enhanced authentication security and passwordless solutions. The system helps eligible personal Google Account holders regain access when standard recovery methods fail by allowing them to designate trusted friends or family members who can verify their identity if they get locked out due to forgotten passwords, lost passkey devices, or account compromises.
Users can add trusted contacts through g.co/recovery-contacts or via the Security section of their Google Account settings. When locked out, users can contact these designated individuals and share a verification code, which the contacts then confirm through email or notification to verify the user’s identity. Recovery contacts do not gain access to the user’s account or personal information.
The feature provides an additional recovery option when traditional methods like SMS codes or recovery emails are unavailable. The development comes as Google continues its significant push toward passkey adoption across its 2.5 billion Gmail users, making reliable account recovery mechanisms increasingly important.
Alongside Recovery Contacts, Google is introducing a “Sign in with Mobile Number” feature for Android users. The feature allows account recovery by verifying identity through the lock-screen passcode of a previous device linked to the phone number, without requiring a password. The system, which uses Google’s extensive Android authentication infrastructure, is being gradually rolled out worldwide to assist users when phones are lost, stolen, or broken.
Google emphasizes that recovery contacts serve solely to verify identity during recovery and cannot access the user’s account or personal data. The system is part of broader efforts to combat sophisticated scams and phishing attacks, including voice cloning and deepfakes, which have emerged as significant threats to traditional two-factor authentication systems.
“Recovery Contacts adds another trusted, secure option on top of our existing tools, helping you regain access when other methods aren’t available,” states Google’s official blog. “While you should choose someone you trust, rest assured that your recovery contact will not have access to your account or any of your personal information.”
Recovery Contacts is part of Google’s broader strategy to enhance scam awareness and education, which includes hosting workshops and providing resources to help users recognize and avoid scams. The initiative complements Google’s collaboration with other tech giants in the FIDO Alliance to establish more secure, standardized authentication methods across platforms.
Sources: Add trusted contacts for Google account recovery – The Keyword, Google Accounts now support setting up Recovery Contacts – 9to5Google, Recovering your Google account will become less of a headache – Android Authority, 6 new ways Google is protecting you from scams – Google Blog, Google’s new scam-fighting tools let trusted contacts help you recover your account – Android Central, Android devices just got new ways to keep online accounts safe – Android Police, Google steps up the fight against scams with new tools and more education – BetaNews
