I am not able to access one of my Google accounts.

mikeincousa · 05 Oct 2023

I have become very illiterate with computers these days.

The other day my machine crashed hard. A friend got it going for me today.

I thought all was in good order, until I tried to access one of my email accounts.

At that point Google demanded that I change one of my current passwords. The others seem okay.

I tried some of Googles directions, but I quickly became lost in the muck.

I have no clues as to what to or where to go.

This is especially vexing because it is my most frequently used email address.

Can someone help me get to those emails?

Tell me what to do?

Thanks for any thoughts.

spunk · 05 Oct 2023

If you try to login to your google account, and it won't accept your password, It will give you a link Forgot Password. It will ask your security questions. If you have this account on your smartphone, link a Google Android Phone, it will send you a code to your phone. You may have to reset your password. Be sure you sign out of all your devices on that account. Then sign in with the new Password.

idgat · 05 Oct 2023

mikeincousa said:

I tried some of Googles directions, but I quickly became lost in the muck.

Can someone help me get to those emails?

Tell me what to do?

Thanks for any thoughts.

You will have to try to understand what Google wants and follow their directions. Google have a propensity at locking users out of their accounts at a whim, on the flimsiest basis (a repaired crashed computer can be a classic example - Google may interpret this as an attempt to sign on with a new device (or a different internet account) and require further/new verification/authentication.

The only way out is to submit to their demands.

My rant : Google is a mickey mouse email service, albeit convenient and comparatively reliable. Anyone with any emails that require any level of confidentiality or security wouod be a fool unto themselves to use such a "public" web-based service as Google. Problem is, Google lives in the realms of its own fantasy believing that their service requires the level(s) of security it imposes on users. Having said that, and knowing Google's absurd security requirements, I still have several Gmail accounts. However, I am slowly moving over to outlook.com, as much as I loathe Microsoft .... devil and deep blue, rock and hard place, etc etc.</RANT OFF>

What did the "friend" do to restore your computer?

What is Google actually asking you to do?

mikeincousa · 06 Oct 2023

I somehow decided to follow this track. It appears to have worked, at least for now.
Having instructions and explanations like these for one swipe would have vastly helped me. That would have put everything much clearer

From
Verify it's you
my name… .gmail.com
To help keep your account secure, Google needs Google needs to verify it is you.
Please sign in and to continue to Gmail

Next
shows name and passwords

Next
We were able to verify it’s you because you’re signed into your recovery email account, mikeswords1@gmail.com.

You can update your password now if you forgot it.
Change Password to sign in
… security password

Create a strong password
Because you’re already signed in to your recovery email address, mikeswords1@gmail.com, on this device, Google has verified it’s you trying to sign in. Save this password so you can easily sign in again going forward.

You’ll stay signed in on these devices after changing your password:
The device you are on now
Motorola moto e6
You can sign out of any device that’s connected to your account by visiting g.co/mydevices

Any final thoughts?

Michael

dalchina · 06 Oct 2023

You mean like these - if you had used Google to search for (e.g.)
recover google account when locked out

Google Account: Locked Out of Your Google Account?
How to recover a Gmail password without a phone number and recovery email (2023)

Try this: (search)

recover google account when locked out - Google Search

If you do things like that, you might be able to help yourself get out of trouble.

idgat · 06 Oct 2023

@OP @mikeincousa URGENT

Change your post #4 above - REMOVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS