Recovery
Recover YouTube channel without backup codes
No backup codes left does not mean no way back into your account.
Is this your situation?
You lost your phone or your backup codes and you cannot complete the second sign-in step for your Google Account. You still need to get back into the YouTube channel tied to that account.
Do this first
Do not create a new account yet. Go to the account recovery page and answer the questions to try to regain access. Without access to your phone, tap Try another way on the sign-in screen to choose an alternate sign-in option.
Which situation is yours?
- Lost phone, no backup codes: use Try another way to find an alternate option.
- Can sign in but no second step works: use the account recovery page.
- Lost or stolen phone: tap 'I don't have my phone' during sign-in.
- No recovery options available: try signing in on a computer you use often.
- Recovery fails repeatedly: there is no limit to attempts to recover your Google Account.
- Recovery never succeeds: consider a replacement Google Account.
How YouTube handles this
- Wrong guesses during account recovery will not remove you from the recovery process, no matter how many times you try.
- There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt to recover your Google Account.
- If you lose your phone, you can use a backup code for the second step.
- If no recovery options are available after losing a phone, try signing in on a computer you use often.
- If recovery still fails after changing recovery info, you can try to recover the account again in a few days.
Which recovery path is yours?
- Have you lost your phone? If you lose your phone, you can use a backup code for the second step.
- No phone and no backup codes, no recovery options available? Try signing in on a computer you use often.
- Already tried the account recovery page and failed? Wrong guesses will not kick you out of the account recovery process.
- Recovery info was changed recently? Changes to recovery info may take up to 7 days to take effect before retrying recovery.
- Recovery still does not work after repeated tries? If you still cannot recover the account, you can create a new Google Account as a last resort.
What not to do
- Giving up after one wrong answer You stop the recovery process after one incorrect guess.Why it happens: A wrong guess will not kick the user out of the recovery process.
- Creating a new account too soon You consider starting over before trying recovery again.Why it happens: There is no limit to the number of times a person can attempt recovery.
- Trying from an unfamiliar device You attempt recovery from a device or place you do not normally use.Why it happens: Something different about how you sign in can remove the option to change recovery info.Already happened: Try again from a device and location you normally use.
- Expecting instant retries after changing recovery info You retry recovery right after changing your recovery info.Why it happens: Changes to recovery info may take up to 7 days to take effect.
What to have ready
- Phone availability Check if you still have the phone used for codes. Confirm if a backup code still works.
- Trusted device access Check for a device you sign in on often. Sign in from that device.
- Lost or stolen phone Check whether your phone was lost or stolen. Tap 'I don't have my phone' during sign-in.
- Recent info changes Check if recovery info changed recently. Wait for the change to take effect.
- Account recovery page Check you are on the account recovery page. You will be asked questions to confirm it's your account.
- Recovery attempts Check how many times you have tried recovery. No limit exists on recovery attempts.
Stop this happening again
You want access restored before you lose it again, not after. A recovery plan reduces how much depends on one phone or one set of backup codes.
Quick reference
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| No phone, no backup codes | Use Try another way on the sign-in screen to choose an alternate option. |
| Wrong answer given during recovery | Wrong guesses will not remove you from the recovery process. |
| Multiple failed attempts | There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt recovery. |
| Lost phone, have a backup code | Use the backup code for the second step to sign in. |
| No recovery options available | Try signing in on a computer you use often. |
| Recovery info changed recently | Changes may take up to 7 days to take effect. |
| All recovery attempts failed | Consider creating a new Google Account. |
| Still cannot recover after retrying | Try to recover the account again in a few days. |
Keeping track of who has access
Situations like this are preventable when access is not resting on a single phone or a single person. Delvia gives you a record of who holds access to a channel, separate from any one device. That record is what makes a recovery plan possible before the next lockout happens.
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