Google locked me out of my Gmail account and says I need to verify my identity but none of the options work. I don't have access to my old phone number.
This is one of the most frustrating tech issues because Google's automated recovery system is intentionally strict to prevent unauthorized access. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your email address. When it asks for verification and your old phone number is not available, click Try Another Way at the bottom of each screen until you have gone through all options. Google may ask you to enter a previous password you remember, answer a security question, or verify from a device you previously used with this account. The key tip that most people miss: perform the recovery from a device and browser you have previously used to sign into this account. Google tracks device history and is significantly more likely to let you recover if you are on a familiar device, IP address, and browser. If all automated options fail, you will reach a form asking for additional information. Fill it out as accurately as possible including the month and year you created the account, any Google products you use, and email addresses of contacts you frequently email. It can take 3 to 5 business days for Google to review. If the account is critical, consider visiting a Google Store in person with your government ID.
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