A Detailed Guide to Help You Out with ‘Google Needs More Info to Verify it’s You’ Message

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1. To verify it’s you, you will need to have access to any of the recovery information added to your Google account.

2. Remembering any of your old passwords is not going to help you recover your Gmail account.

“Unfortunately, Google couldn’t verify this account belongs to you” 

OR

Google needs more info to verify it’s you

Have you ever been welcomed by any of the above heart-wrenching messages by Google while trying to recover your account?

You must have, as nobody loves reading troubleshooting articles for no reason.

Fact- Out of over 1.8 billion active Gmail users, at least 68% have faced ‘Google needs more info to verify it’s you’ error once in their lifetime.

Here’s what the full error message reads: 

“Google needs more info to verify it’s you. To help keep your account secure, Google needs to confirm this account belongs to you.

To recover your account, try again to sign in:

• Answer as many questions as you can
• Use a device where you’ve signed in before
• Choose a familiar Wi-Fi network, such as at home or work”

And here’s what the dreadful error message looks like:

Even users at discussion forums like Reddit, Quora have not been able to figure out why Google is not able to verify their account even when they are entering the correct recovery information.

To fix this, Google gives a few options; so let’s move on to see if that can actually help in fixing ‘Google needs more info to verify it’s you’ error and what all you can do.

Why Google Needs More Info to Verify It’s You?

Possible Scenario- You no longer remember the correct password of your Gmail account, or someone else has changed it for you. Now you are trying to get back to your account. For recovery, you will need to have access to one or two of the following- 

• Recovery phone number
• Recovery Email Address
• Security Question (Recover Gmail with no phone or email)
• Recognized Device
• Familiar Wi-Fi Network

Failing to do so, you will see the error message on the screen.

Google in order to let you recover your Gmail account will require you to enter any of the recovery information that you have entered while creating your account. Normally, it asks you to enter the verification code sent to you on your recovery email address/phone number or answer the security question (if applicable).

If, for any reason, you are not able to enter the verification code, do not remember the correct answer to your security question or are not receiving Google verification codes, you will be presented with the message that Google needs more information to verify it is your account and only then it will let you change your Gmail password.

How to Get Away with ‘Google Needs More Info to Verify It’s You’ Error Message?

Now, you know the reasons why Google can’t verify your account, you must have got the idea how you can make it let you recover your forgotten Gmail password. If not, have a look at the given solutions to try when Google needs more information for account verification and is not letting you sign in to your Gmail.

Solution-1: To prove or verify that you are the real owner of the Gmail account, you need to enter the security key or the verification code using any of the following options:

1. You should have access to a mobile device that has the phone number linked to your Gmail account to receive the code.
2. If you have a device that is already signed in to your Google account, that can also be used to receive the security key and reset your password to regain the lost access.
3. In case you have two-step verification turned on for your Gmail account, you will get a security key to access your Google account whenever you lose access to it. So, if you have access to the security key, it will be very easy for you to get done with the account recovery.

Solution-2: To verify it is you, you can even use your phone in multiple ways, just make sure you have access to your device and it is connected to the internet, have a look at the available options. Every time you are asked to verify it’s you, you can get to see different options available to you by simply clicking on ‘Try another way’; have a look at the options:

1. If you have enabled two-step verification or account security key for your Gmail account, you will always get a prompt on the mobile device that you generally use to log in to your account or if you are already logged in on that device. 

This will happen whenever you will use an unrecognised device or un-familiar network to access your account. Moreover, this is also a way to keep your account secure from hackers as whenever you get the prompt, you have the option to choose ‘No, it’s not me’. The hacker will immediately lose access to your account.

2. If you are not logged in on your mobile device, you can even get a verification code by text or call, but for that, you will need to have access to your phone number. Just enter the verification code and you are good to go.

3. The other option you have is to use your recovery email address added to your Gmail account. If you have access to the email address, just click on ‘Send’ and you will receive a verification code on the email address, enter the same and change your password.

4. If you have added a security question to your Gmail account while creating it, you could prove lucky. In that case, you will not need to have access to your phone number or recovery email address, just answer the security question and you will be allowed to reset the password. 

Tips to Keep your Gmail Account Secure

If you do not want to get into the trouble of account verification or do not want to see more of ‘Google needs more info to verify it’s you’, you should be following some steps to keep your account secure and protect it from hackers and save yourself from losing any important information:

1. You should keep your Gmail account updated with the latest recovery information that includes your phone number and an alternate email address (can be more than 1). This will not only alert you if someone else is trying to access your account but you can easily block unwanted access to your account. This also makes the recovery process a matter of a few minutes, if, in case, you forget your password.
2. Passwords can be easily stolen, but what can add an extra layer of security is two-step verification. Turning on two-step verification for your Gmail account will not let the hackers access your account even if they have cracked the password. To further avoid phishing scams, you should consider using a stronger second verification step, like Security Keys or Google Prompts.
3. Always keep your device protected with a screen lock to avoid it getting used without your consent or in your absence.
4. Keep your browser, operating system, and apps updated on your device.
5. Always create a strong & unique password for your Gmail account, and avoid using the same password for all your accounts. To ensure that you didn’t enter your Google account password on a non-Google site, you can even turn on password alert for Chrome.
6. As you install more apps on your device, this can make it more vulnerable to hacking attempts. Hence, it is recommended to install only essential apps and browser extensions that have access to sensitive information. Moreover, never install unknown apps or apps from unknown sources to keep your personal information secure.
7. Never disclose your passwords to anyone. Always remember, Google will never ask for your password in an email, message, or phone call.
8. Never reply to any suspicious emails that you receive, or texts, instant messages, and phone calls that ask for your personal or financial info.
9. DO NOT click on links in emails, messages, or pop-ups on untrustworthy websites or from unknown senders.
10. It is important to keep a check on devices where you are currently logged in to your Gmail account so that you can immediately log out of any suspicious devices.

Watch this video to know How to Fix Unfortunately Google Couldn’t Verify This Account Belongs to You: