Summary
If you forget the password to your account, you can usually use the Forgot Password process to regain access to it. However, sometimes that process just won’t work. Here’s how you can regain access to your account when the forgot password option is no longer an option.
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Transcript
It can be frustrating when you can’t remember the password for one of your accounts. While the forgot password process usually gets you back in, sometimes there are complications with that process. Fortunately, many big tech companies have alternative methods to recover your account if you’ve set them up in advance.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
On your Apple account, you can specify trusted friends or family that can help you restore your account access. Go to Settings, Password & Security, Account Recovery to add recovery contacts. If you can’t access your Apple ID, your friend can visit this page to get a code to help you recover your account.
Google lets you set an alternate email address to receive account recovery codes. You can also use any device where you’re signed into Google to approve a password reset.
Amazon doesn’t currently have a system for account recovery. However, if you cannot access your account using your traditional login, you can upload a copy of your government-issued ID. Once this is verified, you’ll receive an email with instructions to access your account.
Like Apple, Facebook also lets you set trusted contacts in your account settings. When you need to recover your account, you’ll have to enter an alternate email and the names of your trusted contacts. Those contacts will receive codes that you’ll need to enter in order to log in.
Most other online accounts will have a similar process for account recovery. If you’ve lost access to an account, you can usually find out what options are available by searching for something like “Recover Netflix Account.”