Recover a YouTube Channel Without 2FA Access

Is this your situation?

Do this first

Which situation is yours?

• Forgot password, no phone: use account recovery page to try to regain access.
• Have backup codes: use one to get into your account without your phone.
• Someone changed your password or recovery phone number: use the account recovery page.
• Someone deleted your account: use the account recovery page to try to regain access.
• Unsure which account: try recovering your username first to confirm the right account.

How YouTube handles this

• If you can't sign in, the account recovery page lets you answer questions to try to regain access.
• Backup codes, downloaded and printed, are a less secure type of verification code than other methods.
• Backup codes can help you get into your account if you can't use your phone.
• You can try recovering your username to confirm you're signing in to the right account.
• The account recovery page should also be used if someone deleted the account.

Which recovery path is yours?

1. Do you know your account's username? If unsure, try recovering your username to confirm you're signing in to the right account.
2. Do you still have backup codes? If yes, a backup code can help you get into your account if you can't use your phone.
3. No backup codes and no phone access? Go to the account recovery page and answer the questions to try to regain access.
4. Was the password or recovery phone number changed by someone else? Use the account recovery page, which should be used if someone changed the account's password or recovery phone number.
5. Did someone delete your account instead? The account recovery page should be used if someone deleted the account, so answer the questions there to try to regain access.

What not to do

• Skipping the account recovery page Trying to sign in directly instead of using account recovery.Why it happens: The sign-in page feels like the normal route.
• Assuming backup codes are gone forever Backup codes can still help you get into your account without your phone.Why it happens: The reader assumes phone access is the only path.
• Not confirming the right account first Attempting recovery on the wrong username instead of recovering the username first.Why it happens: Multiple Google Accounts exist for the reader.
• Ignoring who changed the password The account recovery page should be used if someone changed the account's password.Why it happens: The reader assumes only their own forgotten password qualifies.

What to have ready

• Backup codes Check if you saved any downloaded or printed codes. Look in your records for a backup codes list.
• Username certainty Confirm you are recovering the correct account. Try recovering your username to confirm the correct account.
• Recovery page access Have the account recovery page open and ready. Go to the account recovery page to try to regain access.
• Details of what changed Note if a password or phone number was changed by someone else. Recall any recent changed settings.
• Any deletion notice Check whether the account was deleted. Review any deletion-related email.
• Alternate contact email Have another email address available if asked. Check inbox for any related messages.

Stop this happening again

Quick reference

Keeping track of who has access