Recover a YouTube Channel After Losing Google Account Access

Is this your situation?

Do this first

Which situation is yours?

• Forgot the password entirely
• Someone changed the password or recovery phone number on the account
• Someone deleted the account entirely
• Not sure which account the channel uses, so try recovering the username
• Recovery form rejected the answers given
• Need to confirm it is the right account before continuing
• Can't sign in to the Google Account at all

How YouTube handles this

• Use the account recovery page if someone changed your password or recovery phone number on your account.
• Use the account recovery page if someone deleted your account.
• You can try recovering your username to confirm you are attempting to sign in to the correct account.
• Wrong guesses during account recovery will not kick you out of the account recovery process.
• There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt to recover your Google Account.

Which recovery path is yours?

1. Did someone change your password or recovery phone number? The account recovery page should be used if someone changed the account's password or recovery phone number.
2. Was the account deleted? The account recovery page should be used if someone deleted the account.
3. Is this an account accessed through work, school, or another group? For accounts that don't work with the standard recovery steps, check with your administrator for help.
4. Are you a channel manager or owner recovering a shared account? Channel managers or owners should follow the same account recovery steps to secure their Google Account.
5. Did recovery fail after you changed your recovery info? If a user changes their account recovery info, it may take up to 7 days for those changes to take effect.

What not to do

• Giving up after one wrong guess Wrong guesses will not kick you out of the account recovery process.Why it happens: Users assume one incorrect answer ends the attempt.
• Sharing passwords or codes to speed things up Users should not give out passwords or verification codes to anyone.Why it happens: Someone offers help and asks for the code directly.
• Trying a work or school account the standard way For accounts accessed through a work, school, or other group, the standard recovery steps might not work.Why it happens: The account was set up through an organization, not personally.
• Calling a phone number for account help Google does not provide phone support for signing into an account.Why it happens: A search result or message appears to offer phone support.

What to have ready

• Phone number or recovery email on file Needed to find a forgotten username.
• Full name on the account Needed to find a forgotten username.
• Device you normally sign in on Check which device you usually use before starting.
• Last password you remember You will be asked questions to confirm it's your account.
• Whether the account is personal or Workspace Workspace accounts may need an administrator instead.
• Timing of any recovery info changes Changes can take up to 7 days to take effect.
• Readiness to reset your password Users must reset their password when prompted.
• A password you have not used before Choose a strong password not already used with the account.

Stop this happening again

Quick reference

Keeping track of who has access