what it is and how to configure it

Let’s explain to you what it is and how to configure a recovery contact from your Google account. This is an alternative system with which you will have more versatility when recovering your account in case you have forgotten the password you have in it.

We are going to start by briefly explaining what exactly recovery contacts are and how they work. Then, we will tell you step by step how to configure it. We will do this on the web, but you will also be able to take the same steps in mobile applications.

What are recovery contacts

Horror. You have forgotten your Google account password, and now you can no longer access your photos, emails or YouTube videos. You can’t even use your account on an Android phone if you have it linked. Google is a gigantic ecosystem, so losing access to your account for whatever reason can be quite disruptive.

A classic solution to this problem has always been to set up a recovery email. In this way, you can request that a link to recover your account be sent to this email that you have previously verified as yours. Recovery Contacts They are an alternative solution to regain access without having to use a secondary email, or if you have had problems accessing the one you configured previously.

This system allows you designate trusted contacts to help you recover your account. You can add friends or family so that, if you cannot access your account, they can help you verify your identity and log back into it.

About this system you must be clear about two things. This contact will have a method to access your account using recovery, so it is vital that it is someone you trust completely. It’s like giving him the keys to your house. It can help you enter when you forget, but also at any other time.

Also, these are not reciprocal permissions, just because you designate a person as a recovery contact does not make you a recovery contact for them. You can revoke this permission at any time.in case something suspicious happens with this person.

How to set up your recovery contact

The first thing you have to do is enter a Google service, such as Gmail. In it, click on the icon with your profile image so that a menu of options appears, and within it click on Manage your Google accountan option that if you are doing it on your mobile could be called Google account.

This will take you to a settings page for your Google account. Inside, Click on the section Security to access the options related to this field. There, under the options for how you sign in, press the button Recovery Contacts that will appear below.

This will take you to a page where how this function works is explained. In it, press the button Add recovery contacts that will appear below.

Now you will go to a screen where you will have to write the contact email that you want to add to the recovery contact list. When you do it and click on Continue, This person will receive a confirmation email with a process that you will have to complete. Once the contact is confirmed, you will have the keys to your Google account.

You can add several recovery contacts, but I recommend keeping them as few as possible to maintain your privacy as much as possible. Remember that these contacts must have access to their Google accounts, and if they lost it they would have to tell you to delete them for your safety.

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