Google Introduces ‘Recovery Contacts’ for Easier Account Access
21 October 2025Getting locked out of a Google Account is no one’s idea of a good time. Recognising this, Google has rolled out a new feature called Recovery Contacts, allowing users to enlist help from people they trust to get back into their accounts when traditional recovery methods aren’t available.
What’s the New Feature All About?
Recovery Contacts gives users the option to nominate close friends or family members who can verify their identity if access is ever lost. Instead of relying solely on passwords, SMS, or a backup device, this feature introduces a more personal, and often more accessible, backup method.
How It Works
Through the Google Account’s security settings, users can add up to ten trusted contacts. If locked out, the user can ask one of these contacts to confirm their identity by selecting the correct code from a set of options sent by Google. This code is only valid for 15 minutes, helping to maintain security while facilitating quick action.
It’s worth noting that your chosen contacts won’t have any access to your account or see your data — their role is simply to help verify that you’re really you.
Designed with Safety in Mind
Google has implemented multiple safeguards: nominated contacts must accept your request and won’t be active for seven days after confirming. If someone declines, there’s a short wait before you can invite someone else. These buffers are designed to reduce the risk of misuse or rushed decisions.
Who Can Use It?
Recovery Contacts are currently available for personal Google Accounts, though not everyone will see it right away. It’s not supported for Google Workspace, Advanced Protection, or child accounts, although users from these types of accounts can still act as a contact for someone else.
Why Now?
With users moving toward passwordless sign-ins and passkey-based access, traditional recovery methods are sometimes falling short, especially if a phone is lost or a number changes. Google says this new option is part of a broader push to make account recovery less stressful and more secure.
What This Means for Users
For most people, this feature offers a simple but powerful fallback. Whether you’re storing important emails, documents, or family photos, knowing that someone close to you can help recover your account adds peace of mind.
Business Implications
Small business owners using personal accounts stand to benefit too. Getting locked out of a key account can be disruptive, if not outright damaging. Having a recovery contact ready to go could mean avoiding unnecessary downtime or delays.
For those using Google Workspace, however, things remain unchanged. Recovery remains under the management of IT administrators with enterprise-level tools and controls — though this move from Google may signal a shift toward more human-first verification options in the future.
Putting People Back in the Process
What sets Recovery Contacts apart is its reliance on trust. Rather than just “something you know” or “something you have,” Google is embracing the idea of “someone you trust.” It’s a step toward humanising the digital recovery experience, acknowledging that sometimes, a real person is the best backup plan.
Security and Social Engineering
Experts warn that bringing humans into the loop can introduce new risks, particularly from social engineering scams. But Google has addressed this by requiring contacts to choose from multiple code options, and by limiting code validity to a brief window. They’ve also built in alerts and delays to catch suspicious behaviour.
Final Thoughts
Recovery Contacts is more than just a new feature — it’s a new way of thinking about access and trust in the digital world. While it won’t replace traditional security measures, it offers a smart safety net for when things go wrong.
If you use a personal Google Account, it’s worth visiting g.co/recovery-contacts to see if you’re eligible and set it up. Choosing a couple of reliable people today could save a lot of frustration down the line.
