More and more each of us has an account on the internet, whether it’s a social media account, email account, online shopping account, or banking account, making it more difficult for us to manage everything.
So sometimes we do not pay attention to the security of these accounts. This is what hackers take advantage of.
Ok. Anyone reading this article must be confused and worried because their Gmail email account was hijacked? Don’t worry, here’s How To Recover a Hacked Google Account.
Google actually has provided a way to overcome this, below I will explain everything.
Table of Contents
How to recover your Google Account or Gmail
Alright, before starting your Gmail account recovery. There are 2 assumptions of account hijacking:
- Only the password is changed.
- Passwords, mobile numbers, and recovery emails were also changed.
Of the two assumptions, for the first, if only your password is changed but the cellphone number and recovery email are not. You can restore your account easily, by resetting the account password.
Then from the second assumption, all security data has been changed by hijackers, so the only way is to help from google/Gmail by filling out and providing data recovery forms. Ok, let’s try the first method.
A. Reset Password
- When you want to recover your Gmail account, use an internet connection, device (cell phone or computer), and a location or place where you often access the internet, why is that, because it is automatically read by the Gmail system, and to make it easier for you to restore your Gmail account.
- Answer all the questions listed correctly, please remember that if you are not sure about your answer, you can guess it.
- Perform account recovery by not filling out the recovery form many times, waiting for the stage to end, to make the recovery process easier.
This method is more or less the same as resetting the Gmail email password in the case of forgetting the password. Here only your Gmail email password is changed, your mobile number is still active/recovery email you can still access.
Also Read: How to Change or Reset Your Gmail Password
Ok, just like this way:
- Go to the account recovery page.
- Then type in your email address or cell phone. Then tap next. Here is an example of entering an email address.
- Then you are asked to remember and fill in your password the last time you used it. You typed the password correctly then next.
- You are taken to get a verification code, for this step Gmail sometimes shows your recovery email (missing words), or your mobile number (missing digits). Try to see if that’s really your recovery phone number/email? if yes then just tap send.
- Check the inbox that goes to the recovery phone number/email. Then copy the number, the letter G does not follow, only the numbers.
- Then paste/type the code in the enter code field, then next.
- If you are asked to enter a new password, please use a strong password with a combination of numbers, upper or lower case letters, and symbols. Then tap next.
This method is complete, you have successfully restored your Gmail account with a new password.
When finished, don’t forget to check your recovery options settings, and check if there is a phone number or email address that is registered but not yours. Make sure to delete and delete all recovery options that are not yours.
B. Account recovery by answering google questions
Only use this method if your account data has been changed, including your cellphone number and recovery email. Here you will try to get to the point where the Google team will contact you.
For steps, 1-4 is the same as described above. We will continue from the steps below:
- Next, if the question appears to get a verification code to the recovery email but it is no longer your data, which means it has been changed by the hijacker, then you tap try another method.
- After that, the phone number confirmation page appears in the security settings, if the missing digits are not your cell phone number (has been changed) then just tap try another method.
- The next question when did you create this Google account? please fill it correctly, select the month then type the year. Then tap next.
- You will then be directed to a page that Google will need time to review your request. Enter your new email address so that Google can contact you.
- After that, you are asked to enter a verification code into the new email. So open and check the new email inbox, and look for the verification code from google.
- then enter the code. Tap next.
At this stage, if you are lucky, the next page’s response is to change the new password.
- Ok, we enter the last stage, where you are asked to wait for an answer from google for 3-5 working days. You can add more info. Then tap done.
Also Read: How to Create a New Gmail Account on a mobile phone or PC
My advice is you can try adding your personal data such as your full name, account recovery mobile number, account recovery email, the location where you live, devices you often use to access your Gmail account. Or there are other additions, which can convince Google that you are the original owner of the Gmail account.
If later asked to attach your identity card, please attach it. Then tap done.
Possible failure
According to my experiment, if you don’t answer all the questions above, only answer 1 of these questions.
For example, only answer enter an email that can be contacted, or only answer when the Gmail account was created.
Then the last possible answer is that Google can’t verify that you are the rightful owner of the account. Examples such as captured below:
However, if you can provide proof/fill in the recovery from and questions correctly, the more complete the data you provide, the greater the chance to get your Gmail account back.
Please be patient to wait 3-5 working days. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are not included in working days.
Ok, after the process make sure you have entered the recovery email address correctly, always monitor your recovery email address, both in your inbox and in spam.
In addition, it is hoped that in the future you will be more concerned with your account so that it is safer and does not happen again. Don’t forget to:
- Always log out of your account if you log in on a public computer.
- Add your security, such as mobile number/recovery email, and enable 2-step verification.
- Add the account recovery phone number and email. You can not only use your personal recovery mobile number/email, but it can also belong to your spouse, sibling, parent, or friend. Provided you trust and with their approval.
- Keep your Gmail password secret and by creating a strong but easy-to-remember password, with several combinations.
- Change passwords periodically. Don’t use weak and easy-to-guess passwords, such as your name or date of birth, use other combinations such as letters and numbers.
- Check recent activity, if there is a suspicious login activity, immediately change your password.
Also Read: How to Delete Gmail Account Permanently on Mobile Phone
Until here is the tutorial that I can share with you, please fill in your true identity, so that you can easily get your account. Good luck, good luck.