How to Recover a Google Account When You Forget Backup Codes

Not being able to sign in to your Google account is stressful, and it adds to the stress when you have forgotten your backup codes as well. It could happen due to any reason; whether you didn’t have any when creating your account, forgot them, or just didn’t think you would need them in case. However, let’s not panic or stress out in such a situation. Learn how you can recover your Google account when you have forgotten your backup codes. 

ATTENTION! Not everyone remembers the backup codes from the time they created their Google accounts. Some even create or update them later on and still forget about their existence. If you can’t deal with your passwords securely, let the right tool do the job for you. FastestPass brings you a dedicated password manager for all your passwords, and you just have to remember one master password for the app itself. 

Recovering a Google account without backup codes requires using Google’s official account recovery process, trusted devices, recovery emails or phones, and detailed identity verification when 2FA blocks access.​ Have a look at the necessary information!

What Are Google Backup Codes?

Google backup codes are 10 one‑time, 8‑digit codes provided when you enable 2‑Step Verification (2SV). They can be used if you are unable to proceed with 2SV, allowing you to sign in if you lose access to your phone or the authenticator app.​

When you have lost Google backup codes, you can’t use them for verification, so you must rely on other Google account recovery options, like recovery contacts or account history proof.​

Why Google Accounts Get Locked Without Backup Codes

If you have forgotten your backup codes or misplaced them, you are at risk of having your Google account locked. 

Enabling 2SV adds strong security but locks you out if you can’t access your primary verification method (SMS, app, or prompt) and have lost Google backup codes.​

Common scenarios include lost/stolen phones, number changes, authenticator app resets, or moving to a new device without a trusted status.​

Step 1: Try Signing In with Backup Codes First

Even if you think you’ve lost Google backup codes, double‑check saved locations before proceeding.

• During sign‑in at accounts.google.com, enter your password, then select Try another way when prompted for 2-Step Verification.​​
• Choose “Enter one of your 8‑digit backup codes” and test any codes you might have stored in notes, password managers, or downloaded files.​​
• If successful, immediately generate new backup codes via Google Account > Security > 2‑Step Verification > Show codes > Get new codes.​

Step 2: Use Trusted Devices or Recovery Options

Google prioritizes devices and contacts you’ve previously verified.

Sign In from a Trusted Device

• On a computer or phone where you previously signed in and selected Don’t ask again, Google skips 2SV automatically.​
• This provides a direct way to access Google without backup codes and manage 2SV settings from there.​

Recovery Phone or Email

• Select “Try another way” repeatedly until recovery options appear, then use a secondary phone number or email for a verification code.​​
• Verify the code to regain access and update your recovery info immediately.​

These steps often solve the Google account locked without backup codes solution without full recovery.​

Step 3: Start the Full Account Recovery Process

When simpler options fail, Google’s automated recovery form is your main path to recovering your Google account. Follow these steps: 

1. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery.​
2. Enter your email or phone and follow prompts to verify identity.​
3. Google will ask questions like:
   • Last remembered password
   • Account creation date
   • Frequent contacts or labels in Gmail
   • Devices you’ve used​

Answer as accurately as possible; wrong guesses don’t lock you out, but better answers improve success odds.​

Step 4: Provide Detailed Identity Proof

Since it’s Google, it may request more verification for high‑security accounts. Those could be any of the following: 

• Upload recent photos of yourself holding a code Google provides (taken within minutes).​
• Confirm recent account activity, such as sign‑in locations or Google Play purchases.​
• For work/school accounts, contact your admin instead of using personal recovery.​

The process can take 3‑5 business days as Google manually reviews submissions to ensure it’s you.​

Step 5: Regain Access and Secure Your Account

Once approved, reset your password and 2SV settings.

• Sign in, go to myaccount.google.com/security, remove old verification methods, and set up new ones.​
• Generate fresh Google backup codes, add multiple recovery phones/emails, and enable passkeys or hardware keys for redundancy.​
• Review recent activity and sign out suspicious devices.​

This completes the steps to regain Google account access without 2FA codes.​

FastestPass: How to secure your Backup Codes safely

To avoid future lockouts when you lose Google backup codes, we strongly recommend you use a dedicated password manager like FastestPass. It not only provides an additional layer of security to your Google account password, but it also keeps it protected in an encrypted vault-like mechanism that only you can access, with a master password, together with your backup codes. 

Moreover, this is what you should do and take care of: 

• Add 2+ recovery phones and emails during initial 2SV setup.​
• Enable passkeys (device biometrics) alongside traditional 2SV for flexible options.​
• Mark frequently used devices as trusted.​

To add a cherry at the top, regularly review and update security settings at myaccount.google.com/security.​

Conclusion

Recovering a Google account when you have lost Google backup codes is stressful, but it is not impossible. With the right Google account recovery options: trusted devices, recovery emails and phone numbers, and the official recovery form, you can follow clear steps to regain Google account access without 2FA codes while keeping your data secure.

To keep yourself safe from such hurdles in the future, use the services of a dedicated password manager like FastestPass for your Google account passwords and backup codes!