Anyone ever lock yourself out of your Google account? (1 Viewer)

[SHH]

So my phone broke last night and I got my replacement this morning. I try logging into my Google Account and it asks to verify my identity via 2FA.

The problem is, my phone number on my 2FA is my Google Voice number which can only be accessed if you're logged into Google. Like locking your spare key in your house. Smart.


So I have a backup email I can use to recover the account, great. I try to log into that email and there's a 2FA on that account too. Guess what number is also associated with that account?


So I try calling AOL (America Online) but they keep telling me they can't verify my account there too and can't even get past the robot operator. So I get to the bottom of the barrel for login options and eventually I trigger the option where they will send a recovery link to a new email in 5 days. Why I need to wait 5 days before they'll let me in, I don't know, it's like they must have a prior IP history or else I don't get why they let me reset my Google at an alternative email. Seems like I could do this option on any random account to try and steal it. Maybe they'll see 5 days of no use and truly determine I'm truly locked out?


Anyway, for the next 5 days I have no access to my primary phone number or email address. I have missed texts, calls, emails, etc that are just stacking up. I'm also unable to login to my Facebook because it doesn't recognize my device? Oh and all my phone numbers are saved to my Google account besides my family of which I have memorized. So I can't communicate with anyone outside the immediate family.


Wouldn't be surprised if somebody doesn't end up doing a wellness check on me. Can't even get into my online banking or any website that requires 2FA via email or phone.


Feels like I'm stuck in the early 2000s. If I had something important going on like a job interview, something medical, or literally anything that requires access to your phone / email I'd really be screwed. Hopefully I don't get any important correspondence in the next 5 days.


Total ********!! I'd willingly let a hacker into all my accounts to avoid ever being locked out like this. You can't make my entire life dependant on a Google account and then pull the rug out from beneath my feet like this.


I have to call the 1-800 to check my bank balance over the phone like an animal!!

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Had to call a locksmith, and good luck getting one to come out on a Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Ron Swanson]

So my phone broke last night and I got my replacement this morning. I try logging into my Google Account and it asks to verify my identity via 2FA.

The problem is, my phone number on my 2FA is my Google Voice number which can only be accessed if you're logged into Google. Like locking your spare key in your house. Smart.


So I have a backup email I can use to recover the account, great. I try to log into that email and there's a 2FA on that account too. Guess what number is also associated with that account?


So I try calling AOL (America Online) but they keep telling me they can't verify my account there too and can't even get past the robot operator. So I get to the bottom of the barrel for login options and eventually I trigger the option where they will send a recovery link to a new email in 5 days. Why I need to wait 5 days before they'll let me in, I don't know, it's like they must have a prior IP history or else I don't get why they let me reset my Google at an alternative email. Seems like I could do this option on any random account to try and steal it. Maybe they'll see 5 days of no use and truly determine I'm truly locked out?


Anyway, for the next 5 days I have no access to my primary phone number or email address. I have missed texts, calls, emails, etc that are just stacking up. I'm also unable to login to my Facebook because it doesn't recognize my device? Oh and all my phone numbers are saved to my Google account besides my family of which I have memorized. So I can't communicate with anyone outside the immediate family.


Wouldn't be surprised if somebody doesn't end up doing a wellness check on me. Can't even get into my online banking or any website that requires 2FA via email or phone.


Feels like I'm stuck in the early 2000s. If I had something important going on like a job interview, something medical, or literally anything that requires access to your phone / email I'd really be screwed. Hopefully I don't get any important correspondence in the next 5 days.


Total ********!! I'd willingly let a hacker into all my accounts to avoid ever being locked out like this. You can't make my entire life dependant on a Google account and then pull the rug out from beneath my feet like this.


I have to call the 1-800 to check my bank balance over the phone like an animal!!

Not to make light of your situation, but 5 days with no phone or email sounds like pure bliss to me. Maybe lean into it and enjoy? The world won't burn (probably) in 5 days.

 

[Chemical X]

move your stuff over to compuserve.

 

[sports_fan]

I searched to see if there is an easy solution. There is not an easy solution. Good luck.

 

[SHH]

I searched to see if there is an easy solution. There is not an easy solution. Good luck.

Yes. I was relieved when they even gave the option to wait 5 days. It's one of those things where you can search it online and find no good solution.


My emergency solution in case this is all for nothing, is to port my phone number out of Google Voice and then get back into everything. Assuming there is issue with the porting process.

Facebook looks like it may be even more complicated than that, but that's the least of my issues at the moment.

 

[sports_fan]

I searched to see if there is an easy solution. There is not an easy solution. Good luck.

Yes. I was relieved when they even gave the option to wait 5 days. It's one of those things where you can search it online and find no good solution.


My emergency solution in cause this is all for nothing, is to port my phone number out of Google Voice and then get back into everything. Assuming there is issue with the porting process.

Facebook looks like it may be even more complicated than that, but that's the least of my issues at the moment.

The advice is pretty much just don't set it up that way, easy to say that after the fact though. It seems like most people find a way to get back in eventually, it's just a pain and takes a while.