kamal_helpdesk KA

Gmail recovery wants a device I've used before, mine is broken

Trying to get back into my Gmail. Google keeps saying to try from a device I've used before. That phone has a cracked, dead screen. Is there any other way to prove it's me?
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neha_helpdesk Oct 29, 2026
kamal_helpdesk
Did you ever print or save backup codes when you set up 2-Step Verification? They're the 8-digit ones. Dig through your downloads folder and any notes app, one of those gets you straight in without the phone.
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abhishek87 Oct 09, 2026
kamal_helpdesk
Keep pressing "Try another way". It's just the first option it offers, not the only one. It cycles through a code to the recovery phone or email, and questions. Also think about where else you're still signed in. An old tablet, a laptop with Gmail open in the browser, even the Gmail app on a family member's phone you used once. Any of those can approve it. If the phone's broken but the SIM is fine, put the SIM in any other phone and the text code will come through.
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