Locked out of my Google account for months and need my Drive files

While you're working on recovery, think about whether any of those Drive files were shared with someone. If they were, that person can still open them and make you a copy, which might get you the important ones back quicker than the recovery form. Also dig out any old devices. An old Android phone, a tablet or a Chromebook that was signed in can still have access, and some of them let you get into account settings from there. Don't sit on it too long either. Google deletes personal accounts that haven't been used in two years.

Do you still have the recovery phone or recovery email on that account? If either one works, recovery is usually quick. If not, the account recovery form is the only route. Google doesn't have a phone line you can call for free personal accounts. A few things that make a difference: - do it on a phone or laptop you used to sign in to that account before, ideally on your home wifi - when it asks for a password, give the most recent one you remember, even if you know it's wrong - if it fails, wait a day or two before trying again rather than hammering it And ignore anyone online offering to get your account back for a fee. That's a scam every time.