Start with the email address or phone number you used to sign up
The fastest way to find your Google Account is to go to accounts.google.com and click "Sign in". On the sign-in page, enter any email address or phone number you think you used when you created the account. Google will tell you whether that address or number is connected to an account.
If you remember the email but not the password, click "Forgot password?" and Google will walk you through recovery. If you remember a phone number instead, enter it on the sign-in page and Google will show you the associated email address. Write down whatever Google shows you — that is your account identifier.
If nothing comes up when you search, the account may not exist, or you may have used a different email or phone number. Move to the next section.
Key Takeaways
- Go to accounts.google.com and enter any email address or phone number you think you used to create the account.
- If Google finds an account, it will show you the associated email address and let you reset your password.
- If you cannot remember any email or phone number, check old devices, email inboxes, or receipts for clues about what you signed up with.
- If you have access to a device where you were already signed in, you can find your account email in the Settings menu without needing a password.
- If you still cannot locate the account after checking these places, the account may not exist or may have been deleted.
Check devices where you were already signed in
If you own a phone, tablet, or computer where you were already logged into Google, you can find your account email without needing a password. On an Android phone, go to Settings > Accounts > Google and tap the account name — the full email address will appear at the top. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and look for the Apple ID, which may be the same email you use for Google.
On a Windows computer, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and look for the Microsoft account email. If you were signed into Chrome, click the profile icon in the top right corner of the browser — your Google email will be listed there. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update and look at the Apple ID shown, though this may not be your Google email.
Write down the email address you find. That is the account you need to recover.
Look through old emails and receipts for clues
Google sends a welcome email when you create an account, and it sends password-reset emails, security alerts, and purchase receipts to the address on file. Check the inbox of any email account you have access to — search for "Google" or "welcome" or look for emails from noreply@google.com or accounts-noreply@google.com.
If you have made any purchases through Google Play, YouTube Premium, or Google One, look for order confirmations. These emails will show the account email address at the top. You can also check your credit card or bank statements for charges from Google LLC or Google Play — the receipt may list the email address used.
If you signed up for Google services at work or school, ask your IT department or check your organization's email system for account setup emails.
Use Google's account recovery tool if you are locked out
If you found your account email but cannot sign in because you do not remember the password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Enter the email address and click "Forgot password?" Google will ask you to verify your identity by entering a recovery code sent to your phone or backup email, or by answering security questions you set up when you created the account.
If you do not have access to your recovery phone or backup email, Google may ask you other questions — like the date you created the account, the last password you remember, or devices you have used to sign in. Answer as accurately as you can. Google uses your answers to confirm you own the account.
Once you verify your identity, Google will let you create a new password and sign back in.
Check if the account was deleted or never existed
If you have searched every email address and phone number you can think of, and nothing appears when you enter them at accounts.google.com, the account either does not exist or was deleted. Google accounts are deleted 30 days after you request deletion, but they may also be deleted automatically if they have been inactive for more than two years and have no activity or recovery information on file.
If you believe the account existed but was deleted, you cannot recover it. If you think you may have signed up under a completely different email address — one you no longer use or one you forgot — try searching your phone's contacts, old email forwarding rules, or asking family members or colleagues whether they remember what email you used.
If you are certain the account never existed, you can create a new Google Account at accounts.google.com/signup.
Protect your account once you find it
Once you sign back in, add a recovery phone number and backup email address to your account so you do not lose access again. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" in the left menu, and scroll to "How we can reach you". Add a phone number Google can use to send you a code if you forget your password, and add a backup email address where Google can send recovery instructions.
Turn on two-step verification so that even if someone learns your password, they cannot sign in without a code from your phone. In the Security section, click "2-Step Verification" and follow the steps to set it up with your phone number.
Review your recent account activity by clicking "Your devices" in the Security section. If you see a sign-in from a place you do not recognize, click it and select "This wasn't me" to sign Google out of that device and change your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not remember any email address or phone number I used?
Check any device where you were already signed in — your phone, tablet, or computer will show your account email in the Settings menu. If you do not have access to any signed-in device, look through old emails, bank statements, or receipts for messages from Google. Ask family members or colleagues whether they remember what email you used to sign up.
Can Google tell me what email address I used if I only remember my name?
No. Google does not look up accounts by name alone. You need to provide an email address or phone number. If you remember anything else — the year you created the account, a device you used, or a recovery phone number — that information may help you narrow down which email you used.
How long does it take to recover a deleted account?
You cannot recover an account after it has been permanently deleted. Google keeps deleted accounts for 30 days in case you change your mind, but after that the account and all its data are gone. If your account was deleted more than 30 days ago, it cannot be restored.
What should I do if someone else is using my account?
Sign in at accounts.google.com, go to Security, and click "Your devices". Sign out of any device you do not recognize. Then change your password and turn on two-step verification so the other person cannot sign back in. If you believe your account was hacked, also review your recovery phone and backup email to make sure they are correct.