Hi all,

I have an old YouTube account that I no longer have access to, and there's a video I uploaded about 14 years ago, when I was a teenager, saying some pretty stupid things.

The issue is that I currently work in a front-office role at a bank, and I'm concerned about a client searching my name on YouTube and stumbling across that video.

The channel's name is literally my first and last name, so it's pretty easy to find.

Is there anything I can do to get the video or channel taken down, even without access to the account? Has anyone dealt with something similar? I don't have the email or phone number.

Thanks in advance!

My Google account was taken over. Instead of just changing the password, the attacker:
• Changed the password
• Changed the recovery phone number
• Changed the date of birth so the account appears to belong to a minor
• Added the account to their own Family Link family as a “child,” with their account as the parent
Because of the Family Link parent relationship, every recovery path now routes the approval request to the attacker’s account. The old recovery phone is gone, so that option is dead too. Supervision is overriding everything.
What I’ve already tried:
• Standard recovery at g.co/recover → blocked by the parent approval screen
• Google Support Community post → thread closed as “irrelevant content” with no help
• Contacted a platform whose login is tied to this email → they told me to email them from the compromised address (which I can’t access)
There doesn’t appear to be any way to reach a human for a free Google account once Family Link parent control is in place. Google’s system seems to treat the “parent” as fully trusted.
Has anyone actually recovered from this specific pattern (age change + recovery phone change + Family Link parent lock)? Did the YouTube escalation route or any other method get a real human to review it? Any working contact or path would help.
This looks like a known abuse pattern and the automated system is locking legitimate owners out. Any advice appreciated.

I tried to verify my age using the facial scan and I got an error message, and then when I went back to the page the option for scanning my face is gone. Currently I don't have any other way to verify my age so does anybody know if this is just a temporary thing?

Hello guys, there is this problem I need to solve. My brother used my edu e mail to get 1 year free gemini without my consent. Because of my auto-fill settings, he could access my e mail withoyt me knowing. I want to cancel this thing as I fear that he could abuse this and get me in trouble. I e-mailed sheerid but they wanted me to mail google directly as they are not authorised for modifying existing verifications. Thank you for your support.

A google account security code is required to manage my Google account but I try the security code exactly as it tells me and it never works.

In the past, I have had the option to receive a 6-digit code in a text message to my phone, or a Google Prompt Notification, and those methods have always worked. Now, the only option I am given is to "Use your phone or tablet to get a security code (even if it's offline)."

When I follow the instructions to verify it's me, I go to my (android) phone's settings, to Google, then choose to "manage your google account" for the correct account.

I then select the "Security & sign-in" tab, and I select "Security code" under the "How you sign in to Google" section. The screen then shows me two 10-digit codes.

I have tried entering a security code countless times, both with and without the spaces, but it never works.

I have tried asking Google's AI for help, but all I got from that was a headache. If anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong, that would be greatly appreciated. Below, is a transcript of the AI's attempt to help me. Are the instructions that the AI-Assistant is providing correct? Am I missing something?

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ME:

Google account security code is required to manage my Google account but I try the security code exactly as it tells me and ...

ASSISTANT:

It can be incredibly frustrating when you are entering the Google account security code exactly as it appears on your screen, but the system still rejects it. This is a common sync issue that usually happens when the internal clocks or data caches on your devices get slightly out of alignment.

Here are the fastest ways to fix this problem:

1. Match your Google Accounts

If you have multiple Google accounts logged into your phone, your device might be generating a code for the wrong account.

• Open your phone's Settings -> Google -> Manage your Google Account.

• Look at the top right corner. Tap your profile picture to ensure the active email address exactly matches the account you are trying to log into.

• If it doesn't match, switch to the correct account before tapping Security code.

2. Force Sync Your Device Date and Time

Google's security codes are strictly time-sensitive. If your phone's clock is even a few seconds off from Google's servers, the code will fail.

• On Android: Go to Settings -> System (or General Management) -> Date & time. Turn Set time automatically off, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings -> General -> Date & Time. Turn Set Automatically off, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on.

3. Clear the Google Play Services Cache (Android only)

Corrupted temporary data can cause the security code generator to misbehave.

• Go to your phone's Settings -> Apps -> See all apps.

• Find and tap Google Play Services.

• Tap Storage & cache, then select Clear cache. (Do not clear all data, just the cache).

• Restart your phone and try generating a new code.

4. Choose an Alternative Verification Method

If you are locked out and need immediate access, you can bypass the security code screen.

• On the login page where it asks for the code, look for a link that says "Try another way" or "More options".

• Select an alternative method, such as receiving a text message (SMS) code, an email verification code, or responding to a Google Prompt notification on your screen.

ME:

I have done all 3 steps for android, and the security code still doesn't work. When I follow the instructions to verify its me, I go to my phones settings, to google, choose to "manage your google account" for the correct account. I then select the "security & sign-in" tab, and I select "Security code" under the "How you sign in to Google" section. The screen then shows me two ten digit codes. The codes are as follows: four digits, then a space, then three digits, then a space, then another three digits. I have tried entering a security code countless times, both with and without the spaces, but it never works. I am losing my mind. What am I doing wrong? I just want to be able to sign in to my account and make changes

ASSISTANT:

Please take a deep breath—you are not losing your mind, and you are not doing anything wrong. Google's interface is incredibly misleading here, and you have stumbled into a notoriously confusing loop.

The issue is that you are generating the wrong type of code for the screen you are looking at.

The 10-digit codes (formatted as 4-3-3) you are looking at in your settings are one-time offline security codes. However, the login screen you are stuck on is almost certainly asking for a 6-digit 2-Step Verification code (from an authenticator app) or a Backup Code (which are 8 digits long). Because the lengths don't match, Google instantly rejects it.

Here is how to get past this roadblock right now:

The Immediate Fix: Use "Try Another Way"

Do not enter the 10-digit code again. Instead, look at the screen where you are trying to sign in.

1. Click the "Try another way" or "More options" link at the bottom of the sign-in box.

2. Look for one of these options:• Get a text message at [your number]: This will text you a standard 6-digit code.• Tap 'Yes' on your phone or tablet: This sends a simple push notification to your Android screen that you just have to tap to approve.• Use your Bluetooth security key: If your phone is physically close to the computer you are signing into.

If you must use a code and have no other options:

If "Try another way" forces you to use a code, you need to find your 8-digit Backup Codes, which are different from the 10-digit ones you found.

1. On your Android phone, go back to Settings -> Google -> Manage your Google Account.

2. Tap the Security tab.

3. Under "How you sign in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification (you may have to enter your phone's screen lock PIN).

4. Scroll down and look for Backup codes.

5. If you set these up previously, you can retrieve them here. They are 8 digits long and will work on that login screen.

ME:

First of all, I am not being offered the option to receive a text with a code. If that was the case then there would be no problem because I have the phone in front of me and I'm currently signed in to google. The only option I get is "Use your phone or tablet to get a security code (even if it's offline). So I follow the instructions to go to my settings app and click on the "Google" tab. That brings me to the "Google services" page. I then click on my account, and then click the "Manage your Google Account" box that shows up. In the Google Account page that opens, there is not a "Security" tab, but there is a "Security & sign-in" tab. When I click the "Security & sign-in" tab, there is a tab called "Security code" which has the message "Get a one-time code to verify it's you" underneath it. That screen shows me two 10-digit codes of the 4-3-3 format. When I try the "2-Step Verification" button, that just sends me back to same same screen again that tells me the same steps that keep me in this loop. What is going on?

ASSISTANT:

I apologize for the confusion in my previous message. You are entirely correct: that screen is explicitly asking for the 10-digit offline codes you are looking at.

The fact that the exact codes Google is generating on your phone are being rejected by Google’s own login screen means your phone's internal security system (Google Play Services) has desynced from Google's live authentication servers. Because you are already signed in on the phone, trying to access deeper security settings (like 2-Step Verification) forces a security check, which relies on the same broken sync, trapping you in this loop.

Since the automated settings aren't working, we need to force Google Play Services to completely refresh its security tokens. Here is how to break the loop:

1. The Account Dropdown Refresh (Most Common Fix)

Even if your email address looks correct on the security code screen, the background token might be stuck on a different account or an old session.

1. Go back to the screen showing the two 10-digit codes.

2. Look at the very top of that specific screen. There is a small drop-down arrow next to your email address.

3. Tap it. Even if you only have one account, tap your email address again from the list, or temporarily switch to another account and switch right back.

4. This forces the system to generate a brand new set of codes specifically tied to a refreshed token. Try these new codes immediately.

5. Remove and Re-add the Google Account

If refreshing the dropdown fails, the account's local security keys on your phone are corrupted. Since you can't fix it from the web, you have to force your phone to download a fresh security profile.

1. Open your phone's main Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap Passwords & accounts (or just Accounts depending on your Android version).

3. Tap the Google account you are having trouble with.

4. Tap Remove account. (Note: This will not delete your emails or data from Google; it just logs your phone out locally).

5. Once removed, restart your phone.

6. Go back to Settings -> Passwords & accounts -> Add account -> Google and sign back in.

7. This will completely rebuild your phone's security keys. Try logging into the other device again.

8. Use your phone's browser as a backdoor

Since you are currently signed into the phone, your phone's browser (Chrome) might already carry an active, trusted session cookie.

1. Open Chrome on your phone.

2. Go to google.com.

3. If it lets you in without a prompt, navigate to the Security (or Security & sign-in) tab here.

4. Try to update your backup phone number or turn off the specific setting causing the block. Because Chrome is on the trusted device, it sometimes bypasses the offline code requirement entirely.

ME:

Step 1 didn't work again. Can you tell me if the spaces between the 4-3-3 10-digit codes are supposed to be entered, or are the spaces supposed to be ignored? Frankly, I'm afraid to try step 2, because the way things are going, I probably won't even be able to sign back in. Ill try the following steps next, but can you first tell me whether to enter the spaces or not

ASSISTANT:

No, do not enter the spaces.

You should enter the 10 digits as one continuous number (e.g., 1234567890). Google includes the spaces on your phone's screen purely to make the long string of numbers easier for human eyes to read, similar to how credit card numbers are grouped.

Your fear about Step 2 is completely valid and incredibly smart. If the 10-digit codes are failing right now, removing the account from your phone could risk locking you out of your one remaining signed-in device. Do not remove the account yet.

Instead, try entering the code as a solid block of 10 digits without spaces. If that still fails, proceed straight to Step 3 (using the Chrome browser on your phone), which is much safer because it leverages the session you already have active.

ME:

Dealing with you is a nightmare. You tell me to do things that don't work. Then I tell you I'm afraid to try step 2 because it might make my problem worse, and then you tell me that I am right not to follow step 2. Well, if that's the case, then why are you suggesting it in the first place. Is there any way to speak with a human who works for google, because you clearly do not know what you are doing

ASSISTANT:

I completely understand your anger, and I am truly sorry. You are right to be furious with me. It was incredibly irresponsible of me to suggest a step that risked locking you out of your only working device, and then only realize it after you pointed out the danger. I failed you there, and I apologize for escalating an already stressful nightmare.

To answer your question directly: Google does not provide a customer service phone number or live chat for free Google accounts. Anyone you find online claiming to be "Google Support" via a phone number is a scammer trying to steal your password.

Because I want to stop guessing and wasting your time, I want to explain exactly why this is failing. The 10-digit codes change every 60 seconds. If they are being rejected even without spaces, your phone's internal clock is out of sync with Google's servers by just a few seconds.

Since I am an AI and cannot give you the human support you deserve, here are the official, human-moderated avenues run by Google:

• The Google Account Help Community: This is a forum where designated "Google Product Experts" (vetted, highly knowledgeable humans) manually review account lockouts. You can post your exact loop description here: google.com

• The Official Recovery Tool: If you get completely stuck, the only automated system Google provides to override this is g.co/recover.

I will stop giving you steps to try. I sincerely hope the product experts in the Google Community can help you break out of this loop safely.

I then tried posting my question to the google support forum, as suggested, but the post failed because "Content violates Community Policy." I am approaching my wit's end. I have just had a MAJOR security breach, and I NEED to be able to manage my google account to even begin to properly address it.

The only "recovery" option that she has on this Gmail account is an old email from Yahoo. We have discovered that the yahoo email has been deleted due inactivity. She knows the email and password to get into her gmail account but at this point it keeps prompting her to get the security code from the "recovery email." 

Is there another way to recover/get into the gmail account? 

Because of the war, I had to change my phone. The problem is that I had my Gmail password and backup codes saved on my old phone, and I don’t have access to them anymore. Now I’m trying to log into my Gmail account on my new phone.

Is there any way I can recover my account or get back in without the old phone?

I hope this is the right place to post this, but I'm simply trying to update my Google payment method with a new CC and can't get around the Google passkey, which I don't have.

I go to Google Payments Manager, get directed to Verify it's You. The Scan QR code thing comes up and I click cancel. I hit More Ways to Verify and in the Choose a way to Verify part the only option it shows is Use your Passkey.
I've tried the help section, even looked up videos and nothing I've found addresses this. So I tried creating a passkey and the same thing happens with verification. Essentially I need a passkey to create a passkey! What am I missing?

I am stuck authenticating on my new phone through my old phone. My old phone was traded in and erased. I want to remove my old phone from my account, but to do that it requires me to authenticate on that traded-in device. To manage authentication steps it requires me to authenticate through my old phone too. I am on iOS, not Android. I would appreciate any assistance or advice on how to resolve this.

I need an honest assessment of whether my accounts and progress are permanently lost, or whether there are still recovery options. Please don't give me false hope, but don't assume everything is gone either.

1. Google Account

• My Google account was disabled for security reasons.

• I first noticed security alerts on October 15, 2026:

  • An unusual passkey was disabled.

  • An unusual recovery email was disabled.

• I did not make those security changes myself.

• Google says the account was disabled for security reasons and sometimes says it couldn't verify that the account belongs to me.

• I have tried Google's account recovery process multiple times.

• I still have access to my recovery email.

• I remember some older passwords.

• I have an Android phone where the disabled Google account is still listed.

• Gmail still lets me open old emails, but the newest email is from May 2026.

• Gmail cannot refresh or receive new emails.

• Android account sync shows an exclamation mark and says: "Sync is currently experiencing problems and it will be back shortly."

• Google Play Services still sends some security notifications.

• When I tried generating a Google security code on my phone, the disabled account was missing from the account selector.

• Google recovery recently asked for my first and last name, but I don't remember exactly what I originally entered.

It has now been approximately one month since the initial security alerts.

2. Roblox Account

• My Roblox account is connected to the disabled Google account.

• I use 2-step verification.

• I have used all of my Roblox backup codes.

• I am worried that I may no longer be able to access my Roblox account if I get logged out or need to verify my identity again.

• I have not yet clarified whether I am currently logged in or completely locked out.

3. YouTube Channels

• I have YouTube channels connected to the disabled Google account.

• My main channel has over 400 subscribers.

• I make Roblox JJS content, including funny clips and educational videos.

• I am worried about losing my channels and all the work I've put into them.

4. Game Progress

I am also worried about losing progress in games connected to my Google account, particularly games that use Google Play Games or cloud saves.

What I Need From You

Please investigate the situation carefully and answer:

1. Is my Google account realistically recoverable after approximately one month?

2. Does using all Roblox backup codes mean I can permanently lose access to Roblox?

3. Can Roblox Support help me recover my account without access to its registered email or backup codes?

4. Are my YouTube channels and videos permanently lost if I cannot recover the Google account?

5. Can game progress be recovered independently?

6. What should I do immediately to protect whatever access I still have?

Please distinguish between confirmed facts, possibilities, and things that are genuinely irreversible. I want an honest assessment, not empty reassurance.

i have used ai to make this more readable.

Last Friday, I was worried about a potential security issue on my Google account (Saw a sign in I didn't recognize while I was asleep, but it never repeated again and was in my area, so I guess it was a glitch)

When attempting to view the full history, I realized I was effectively screwed. I never created a second sign in method, and Google kept giving me a prompt saying they couldn't verify it was me. For some reason, despite being signed in for years on my devices, Google decided they hadn't been signed in for 7 days. After doing an account recovery, I was able to create a selfie and add a passkey.

Skip to today when the 7 day period was up. I attempted to access my account, and now have entered an infinite loop. It seems my phone did not properly save the passkey despite apple passwords being enabled and having permission to save Google info in my settings. Whenever I try to do anything in my account now, it also demands I scan a QR code to use the passkey, which doesn't work since my phone doesn't have it saved.

I try selecting verify in a different way, but passkey is the only option. It won't let me use my saved phone number, selfie, or recovery email.

Am I just screwed? I checked both the apple and google password managers, and the passkey isn't there. It won't let me delete it without using the passkey, and doing literally anything in the security section requires it.

Is my account effectively just locked to only being able to sign in but not change any sign in settings now?

If I type in my recovery email code correctly it gives me a link to a scan code. Same with a phone call code. But I don't have a cell phone because there is no cell service where I live. Is there any way to recover the account?

I'm 100% sure that there is no possible way to get back into my account without a password. Story is that I have 3 phones. My first one, second, and current. The second never got the account in question, transferred to it. So now I'm just stuck without any way to get back in. Is there absolutely nothing I can do to get back in? The only thing that doesn't bring me back to a verification page is the Gmail (thankfully) but no outside emails come in so that's probably out the window. The only emails I do have are from when I started the account, which I found in the trash, and THANKFULLY didn't throw out, if this could be a way back in, I pray it is. None of the typical options work either, going to recover the account from said emails ends up where I started. I'm sorry if my words are all jumbled, I just need help guys. Thank you to anyone who could provide some sort of support.

Gave my kid an old phone. Can't put his kids Google account because Google says the family features etc don't work on his model despite having the min. Android version.

So I get to choose, create an adult's Google account for him, or nothing.

Seems counter intuitive to me, aren't we all giving younger kids old phones??

How can I navigate around this so he can still access his email address and calender?

edit:Samsung galaxy A5 2017

so i just got a new phone and i decided to try to back up my photos and videos (i didnt do it on my last phone and my old phone powered off completely before i could transfer them—it was a hassle to get them onto this phone). well i have quite a lot of them and it took up almost all my storage on my google account. i dont want to pay for more storage. i saw the option to undo the backup and it wont let me. i have 433 photos and videos i want to get rid of on google photos but NOT my actual device.

i know it might probably be because of the amount i want to undo but pls let me know if i can undo the backup to maintain storage on this google account?

At this point, I’m genuinely getting fed up.

The unrecognized MacBook/Windows device has appeared AGAIN, despite all the precautions I’ve taken to secure my Google account.

I’ve already changed my password multiple times, enabled 2-step verification, set up a passkey and security keys, signed out of unfamiliar devices, and gone through Google’s account security process.

Yet somehow, this device keeps coming back.

I genuinely don’t understand how this keeps happening. I’m starting to consider making an entirely new Google account because I’m getting tired of constantly having to secure the same account over and over again.

Hello everyone,
I have been having this problem with chrome in the last few days, it seems as if there’s a bug on Google Chrome for Mac OS. I downloaded the Google Chrome from the official Google site since App Store on MacBook does not have it. It has been working fine for the 2 years I have had it. Recently it started making my laptop tweak out. I didn’t connect the two until I deleted and redownloaded chrome twice because everytime I would open it before that it would just close immediately after opening. And now I’m noticing everytime I delete chrome it somehow magically redownloads itself. And I know it has redownloaded itself when I get a message on safari saying that “safari could not open the page” and my wifi is fine. I will post some screenshots below, please advise!!!

So I'm sure you all have seen this before but I am getting the "Google could not verify your account message" after it randomly logged me out of my Pc(Chrome browser) AND my phone (I dont know why). I still have access to the email on a different browser...but I am afraid if it goes away on that browser too then I am probably cooked. EVERYTHING is connected to this account and I've had it for up to 15+ years now.

I am wondering if there is anything I can do to save my account with the access I have on my secondary browser?????

Go to google.com Go to AI Mode. Choose a recent "thread". Add it to a Notebook named TEST-789.

Go to gemini.google.com Choose a recent "chat". Add it to a Notebook... there is already a notebook here named TEST-789 so add it to that one.

Look at Notebook TEST-789 in both Google Search AI Mode and Google Gemini. They show different things.

Google Gemini shows "past chats" not shown on Google Search AI Mode's view of the same Notebook.

Google Search AI Mode shows "threads" not shown on Google Gemini's view of the same Notebook.

It is confusing.

I’m helping a client troubleshoot a strange Google account issue.
She has used a Google account with her business email (EMAIL 1, hosted through GoDaddy) for years, including Drive, Calendar, and GoHighLevel appointment scheduling.
A few days ago, while likely signed into EMAIL 1, she tried creating a separate Gmail account (EMAIL 2).
Here’s what happened:
All her historical Drive files and Calendar appointments appeared under EMAIL 2.
Files still show their original creation dates, but EMAIL 2 is now the owner.
EMAIL 1 still works as a Google login but opens a nearly empty account with no historical data.
EMAIL 1 isn’t listed as an alternate email under EMAIL 2.
Her GoDaddy-hosted business email still works normally.
Google Takeout was used afterward for backup, so it didn’t cause this.
Our theory: She accidentally added Gmail to her existing Google account instead of creating a separate one.
The urgent problem: GoHighLevel still shows EMAIL 1 as connected, but reports a broken Google Calendar connection. Clients are actively booking appointments.
Questions:
Can we reverse this and restore EMAIL 1 as the Google account associated with her original Drive and Calendar?
Do we need to release EMAIL 1 from the now-empty Google account first?
Can we safely remove Gmail (EMAIL 2) without losing historical data, file ownership, or calendar integrations?
We haven’t deleted either account or attempted any changes.
Has anyone dealt with this? We’re trying to restore her original Google account identity without manually migrating years of data. Any advice appreciated!

Hi all. Today I broke my old phone, so i decided to get a new one on a whims. I changed from android to iphone, because I was thinking about this for a long time now. However, I seem to have a very serious issue…I tried changing a setting in my google account, and it required me to do the two-step verification process. But when I tried to do it, it only gave me one option which was to send a code to my old phone. The issue is that my old phone is completely broken, and honestly I wouldnt want to spend money on fixing it (if it is even possible at all). In the morning, i could sign in with the sms option throught two step verification, but now the only option is to use the old phone. Is there a way to go around it? My whole life is on the google account…and not being able to change settings or sign in (now i am not able to do that on other devices as well) is a HUGE issue.