How to Recover Your YouTube Account? (2026)

Losing access to your YouTube account is more than an inconvenience. For creators, it means losing your subscriber base, your entire video library, your watch history, your revenue stream, and years of work. For businesses, it means losing a direct line to your audience. The good news: in most cases, you can get your account back.

The critical thing to understand before anything else is that your YouTube account is your Google account. You do not sign into YouTube directly. You sign into Google, and YouTube is a product attached to that Google account. This means recovering your YouTube channel always starts with recovering your Google account.

This guide covers every lockout scenario with exact steps, timelines, and what to do when the standard process fails. Whether you forgot your password, got hacked, or woke up to a termination notice, there is a path forward.

Quick Recovery: Which Scenario Are You In?

Before diving into detailed steps, identify your situation. Each scenario has a different recovery path, timeline, and success rate:

Scenario	Difficulty	Timeline	Success Rate	Jump To
Forgot your password	Easy	5-10 minutes	Very high	Password Recovery
Forgot your email/username	Easy-Medium	10-20 minutes	High	Email Recovery
Lost 2FA/phone access	Medium	3-7 business days	Medium-High	2FA Recovery
Account was hacked	Hard	1-7 days	Medium	Hacked Recovery
You deleted your account	Medium	Minutes to impossible	Time-dependent	Deleted Recovery
Channel was terminated	Hard	14-30 days	Low-Medium	Termination Appeal
Google account disabled	Very Hard	Weeks	Low	Disabled Recovery

Important: Do not panic. Google allows unlimited recovery attempts. Rushing leads to mistakes. Take your time, gather your information, and follow each step carefully.

Forgot Your Password? How to Reset It

This is the most common lockout scenario and the easiest to resolve. If you know which email address is linked to your YouTube account but cannot remember the password, recovery typically takes under 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Password Recovery

Step 1: Open your browser and go to Google's account recovery page.

Step 2: Enter the email address associated with your YouTube account and click Next.

Step 3: Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember. This does not have to be your current password — even an old one helps Google verify you are the account owner. If you cannot remember any password, click "Try another way."

Step 4: Google will attempt to verify your identity through one or more of these methods:

Verification Method	What You Need	How It Works
Recovery email	Access to your backup email address	Google sends a 6-digit code to your recovery email
Recovery phone	Access to the phone number on file	Google sends an SMS code or makes a verification call
Security question	Memory of your answer	You answer the question you set during account creation
Device verification	A phone/computer you previously signed in from	Google sends a push notification to that device

Step 5: Enter the verification code or confirm the prompt. You will be directed to create a new password.

Step 6: Create a strong new password (at least 12 characters, mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Do not reuse a password from another service.

Pro Tips for Successful Password Recovery

Tip	Why It Matters
Use a familiar device and browser	Google's system recognizes devices you have previously signed in from. Attempting recovery from your usual laptop or phone significantly increases your chances.
Try your most recent password first	Google prioritizes recent credential matches. Even a partial or slightly incorrect version of a recent password is more helpful than an old one.
Check all email folders	Verification codes can land in Spam, Promotions, or Social tabs. Check all folders and search for "Google" within 2 minutes of requesting the code.
Do not skip questions	If Google asks something you are not sure about, make your best guess. A wrong guess is better than clicking "Try another way," which may lead to a dead end.
Wait before retrying	If your first attempt fails, wait 24-48 hours before trying again. Google's system may flag rapid repeated attempts as suspicious.

Forgot Your Email or Username

If you cannot remember which email address is linked to your YouTube account, you need to find it before you can reset your password.

How to Find Your YouTube Account Email

Method 1 — Google's email lookup tool:

1. Go to Google's account recovery page
2. Click "Forgot email?"
3. Enter either the recovery phone number or recovery email address associated with the account
4. Enter your full name as it appears on the account
5. Google will send a verification code. Once confirmed, it will reveal the email address linked to your account.

Method 2 — Search your email inboxes: Search all your email accounts for messages from "YouTube" or "Google" or "[email protected]." Look for:

• Account creation confirmation emails
• YouTube upload notifications
• Subscription or comment notifications
• Google security alerts

Any of these will reveal which email is linked to your YouTube channel.

Method 3 — Check your browser's saved passwords: Open your browser's password manager (Chrome: chrome://settings/passwords, Firefox: about:logins, Safari: Settings > Passwords). Search for "google.com" or "youtube.com." Your saved credentials will show the email address.

Method 4 — Ask a trusted collaborator: If you manage a YouTube Brand Account with multiple managers, another manager can see the linked email in YouTube Studio under Settings > Permissions.

Once you have identified the correct email, return to the password recovery steps above.

Lost Your Phone or 2FA Device

Two-Step Verification (2SV) adds a critical security layer to your account. But if you lose the phone or device that generates your verification codes, it can lock you out of your own account. This is recoverable, but it takes longer than a simple password reset.

Recovery Options (Try in This Order)

Option 1 — Use your backup codes

When you enabled 2-Step Verification, Google generated a set of 8-digit backup codes. Each code can be used once. If you saved or printed these codes, now is the time to use one:

1. Go to the Google sign-in page and enter your email and password
2. When prompted for your 2FA code, click "Try another way"
3. Select "Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes"
4. Enter any unused backup code
5. You are in. Immediately go to your Google Account security settings and update your 2FA to a new device.

Option 2 — Use a device that is already signed in

Check your other devices — laptops, tablets, old phones. If any device is still signed into your Google account, you can:

• Change your 2FA settings from that device without needing a new code
• Remove the old 2FA method and set up a new one
• Generate new backup codes

Option 3 — Use Google's identity verification process

If you have no backup codes and no signed-in devices:

1. Go to Google's account recovery page
2. Enter your email and password
3. When prompted for the 2FA code, click "Try another way" repeatedly until you reach the option to verify your identity
4. Google will ask detailed questions: when you created the account, recent emails you sent, contacts in your address book, and other information only the real owner would know
5. Submit your answers. Google will review and respond, typically within 3-5 business days.

Critical warning: Google does not offer phone or live chat support for account recovery. Anyone claiming to be "Google support" and asking for payment or your password is a scammer. Recovery only happens through the official process at accounts.google.com.

What to Expect During the Review Period

Timeframe	What Happens
Day 1	You submit the identity verification form. Google's automated systems begin reviewing your answers.
Days 2-3	Google cross-references your answers against account data. If you used a familiar device and answered most questions correctly, you may receive approval.
Days 3-5	More complex cases (old accounts, limited recovery info) take longer. Google may send follow-up questions to your recovery email.
Days 5-7	If approved, you receive an email with a password reset link. If denied, you can try again with different or more detailed answers.

Your YouTube Account Was Hacked

A hacked YouTube account is urgent. Every hour the hacker has access, they can delete videos, change your channel name, upload spam or harmful content, lock you out further, and potentially get your channel terminated. Act fast.

Phase 1: Attempt Immediate Recovery

Try the standard recovery process first. Many hackers change the password but forget (or cannot) change the recovery email or phone number.

1. Go to Google's account recovery page
2. Enter your email address
3. When asked for your password, enter the most recent password you set (not the hacker's password)
4. If Google recognizes your recovery info, you may be able to reset the password immediately

If the hacker has changed your recovery info too:

• Click "Try another way" and answer as many verification questions as possible
• Use a device and browser you previously signed in from — this increases Google's confidence that you are the real owner
• Include details like your approximate account creation date, names of contacts, and recent email subjects

Phase 2: Use YouTube's Hacked Account Resources

YouTube provides dedicated support for hacked accounts that goes beyond standard Google recovery:

YouTube's Hacked Account Troubleshooter: Visit YouTube's troubleshooter for hacked accounts. This tool walks you through targeted recovery steps specifically designed for YouTube channel owners.

YouTube's Hacked Account Assistant (launched 2024): An AI-powered chatbot available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese that guides you through the recovery process. Access it through YouTube Help.

Phase 3: Secure Your Account After Recovery

Once you regain access, lock down your account immediately. Do not skip any of these steps — hackers often leave backdoors:

Security Action	What to Do	Priority
Change your password	Set a completely new password (12+ characters). Do not reuse any previous password.	Immediate
Update recovery email	Verify your recovery email is yours and has not been changed to the hacker's address.	Immediate
Update recovery phone	Confirm your phone number is correct. Remove any unfamiliar numbers.	Immediate
Enable 2-Step Verification	Set up 2FA with an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) rather than SMS when possible.	Immediate
Generate new backup codes	Old backup codes may be compromised. Generate and securely store a fresh set.	High
Review recent account activity	Go to myaccount.google.com/security > "Your devices" and "Recent security events." Look for unrecognized locations or devices.	High
Sign out all other sessions	In your Google Account security settings, click "Sign out of all other sessions" to terminate any active hacker sessions.	High
Check YouTube Studio changes	Review your channel name, description, profile picture, uploaded videos, and playlists. Revert anything the hacker changed.	High
Check connected apps	Go to myaccount.google.com/permissions. Revoke access for any apps you do not recognize.	Medium
Scan your devices for malware	Run a full antivirus scan on any device you use to access your account. The hacker may have used phishing malware to get your credentials originally.	Medium

Phase 4: Escalate to YouTube Support

If the standard recovery process fails, you have additional options depending on your account type:

Account Type	Support Channel	How to Access
YouTube Partner Program members	YouTube Creator Support (direct)	Through YouTube Studio > Help > "Get Creator Support"
Verified channels or channels with 10K+ subscribers	Priority support queue	Through YouTube Studio or via YouTube Help Community
Smaller channels / non-partners	@TeamYouTube on X (Twitter)	Send a public tweet or DM describing your situation. Include your channel URL.
All accounts	YouTube Help Community Forum	Post in the YouTube Help Community. Google Product Experts (volunteers) and occasionally Google staff respond.

Scam warning: Google explicitly states they do not work with any third-party service for account recovery. If someone contacts you (or you find a service online) claiming they can recover your account for a fee, it is a scam. The only legitimate recovery path is through Google's official tools.

You Deleted Your Account

If you recently deleted your Google account (which also deletes your YouTube channel), you may be able to restore it — but timing is everything.

Can You Recover a Deleted YouTube Account?

Situation	Can You Recover?	What to Do
Deleted within the last few days	Very likely	Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the prompts. Google may restore the account immediately.
Deleted within the last few weeks	Possible	Same recovery page. Google may still have the account data but success is not guaranteed.
Deleted months ago	Unlikely	Attempt recovery anyway, but Google permanently deletes account data after an unspecified period.
Deleted over a year ago	Almost impossible	Data is almost certainly permanently gone. You would need to create a new account and channel.

Recovery Steps for Deleted Accounts

1. Go to Google's account recovery page
2. Enter the email of the deleted account
3. Follow the verification steps (same process as password recovery)
4. If Google still has the account data, you will be prompted to reactivate the account
5. Set a new password
6. Check that your YouTube channel, videos, subscribers, and playlists are intact

Important timeline note: Google also has a 2-year inactivity policy. If your Google account has been inactive for 2 years (no sign-ins, no activity across any Google service), Google may permanently delete it. If you have YouTube channels you want to preserve but do not actively use, sign in at least once per year.

What You Cannot Recover

Even after a successful account restoration, some data may be permanently lost:

• Comments you made on other people's videos
• Community posts that were removed during the deletion window
• Some YouTube Analytics data
• Third-party app permissions (you will need to re-authorize apps)

Your Channel Was Terminated or Suspended

Channel terminations and suspensions are the most stressful lockout scenario because they are imposed by YouTube for policy violations. Recovery is not automatic — it requires a formal appeal process.

Why YouTube Terminates Channels

YouTube may terminate your channel for:

• Repeated Community Guidelines violations (three strikes within 90 days)
• A single severe violation (hate speech, terrorism content, child safety, sexual content)
• Copyright strike accumulation (three copyright strikes)
• Spam and deceptive practices (fake engagement, misleading metadata)
• Terms of Service violations (operating under age 13, ban evasion)

The YouTube Channel Termination Appeal Process

Step 1: Check your email. YouTube sends a notification to your linked email explaining the reason for termination. This email contains important context for your appeal.

Step 2: Go to YouTube Studio. If your channel was terminated, you will see a notice with an option to submit an appeal.

Step 3: Write your appeal. This is your one opportunity, so make it count:

Appeal Element	What to Include	What to Avoid
Acknowledge the issue	Show you understand which specific content or behavior triggered the termination	Vague statements like "I don't know what I did wrong"
Provide context	Explain any legitimate reason for the content (fair use, educational purpose, satire, news reporting)	Making excuses or blaming others
Describe corrective action	Explain what you have done or will do to prevent future violations	Promising to "be better" without specifics
Be respectful and concise	Keep it professional, factual, and under 500 words	Emotional rants, threats, or demands

Step 4: Submit and wait. YouTube's team will review your appeal and respond via email, typically within 14 days but sometimes up to 30 days.

Appeal Timelines and Rules

Detail	What You Need to Know
Appeal window	You can appeal within 1 year of termination
Number of appeals	You get one appeal per termination — make it thorough
Response time	YouTube aims for 14 days but complex cases can take up to 30 days
If accepted	Your channel is restored with all content, subscribers, and data intact
If rejected	The termination stands. Do not create a new channel to evade the ban — YouTube will terminate that too and may ban you permanently

YouTube's Second Chances Pilot Program (2025)

In October 2025, YouTube launched a pilot program giving terminated creators a second chance. If your appeal was rejected, you may be eligible to apply for a new channel one year after your original termination. This is not a guaranteed reinstatement — YouTube reviews each application individually. But it is a meaningful new path for creators who were permanently banned.

Copyright Strike Terminations: A Special Case

If your channel was terminated due to three copyright strikes, the appeal process is different:

• You can file a counter-notification for each copyright claim if you believe the strikes were invalid (fair use, public domain, or you own the content)
• Counter-notifications are a legal process. The original claimant has 10 business days to file a court action. If they do not, YouTube must restore the content.
• Consider consulting an intellectual property attorney for complex copyright disputes

Your Google Account Was Disabled

A disabled Google account is different from a terminated YouTube channel. When Google disables your entire account (not just your YouTube channel), you lose access to Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube, and all other Google services simultaneously.

Why Google Disables Accounts

• Severe Terms of Service violations across any Google product
• Suspicious activity that appears automated or bot-like
• Age-related disables (account was created by someone under 13)
• Payment or billing fraud

How to Appeal a Disabled Google Account

1. Check the email address you have access to — Google often sends a notice explaining the disable
2. Look for a "Try to restore" link in the email, or visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery
3. Submit the appeal form with a detailed explanation of your account usage
4. Wait for Google's response — this can take several weeks for disabled accounts

Age-related disables: If your account was disabled because it was created when you were under 13, Google provides a specific verification path. You may need to provide a government-issued ID to prove you are now old enough, or have a parent or guardian verify your identity.

Reality check: Disabled Google account recovery has the lowest success rate of any scenario. Google is conservative with disabled accounts because they typically involve serious violations. Document everything, be honest in your appeal, and have realistic expectations.

How to Protect Your YouTube Account From Future Lockouts

Recovery is stressful. Prevention is far better. These steps take 15 minutes now and can save you weeks of recovery effort later.

Essential Security Checklist

Security Measure	How to Set It Up	Why It Matters
Enable 2-Step Verification	myaccount.google.com/security > 2-Step Verification > Get Started. Use an authenticator app (not just SMS).	The single most effective protection against hacking. Even if someone gets your password, they cannot access your account without the second factor.
Save your backup codes	After enabling 2SV, go to Backup Codes and generate a set. Print them or store them in a secure password manager.	If you lose your 2FA device, these codes are your lifeline. Without them, recovery takes 3-7 days instead of 30 seconds.
Set a recovery email	myaccount.google.com/security > Recovery email. Use a different email provider than your main account.	If your primary email is compromised, a recovery email on a different service (e.g., Outlook if your main is Gmail) provides an independent recovery path.
Set a recovery phone	Same security settings page > Recovery phone.	Provides SMS-based verification as a backup recovery method.
Use a unique, strong password	At least 12 characters. Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse across services. Use a password manager.	Most account hacks happen because people reuse passwords that were exposed in data breaches on other services.
Review connected third-party apps	myaccount.google.com/permissions. Revoke access for any app you no longer use or do not recognize.	Old third-party apps with access to your account are a potential attack vector. Only keep permissions for tools you actively use.
Back up your channel data regularly	Use Google Takeout to export your YouTube data (videos, playlists, subscriptions, comments).	If the worst happens and your account is unrecoverable, at least your video files are safe.

How to Recognize Phishing Attacks Targeting YouTube Creators

YouTube creators are high-value targets for phishing because hacked channels with large followings can be used for crypto scams, fake livestreams, and spam. Here is how to spot attacks:

Common phishing tactics targeting creators:

Phishing Method	What It Looks Like	How to Spot It
Fake sponsorship emails	"Brand deal" offering payment, with a link to a "brief" or "contract" that is actually malware	Check the sender's email domain carefully. Legitimate brands use official domains, not gmail.com or misspelled variations.
Fake copyright strike notices	Email claiming your video received a copyright claim, with a link to "appeal"	Real copyright notices appear in YouTube Studio, not just email. Never click links in emails — go directly to studio.youtube.com.
Fake Google security alerts	"Unusual sign-in detected" with a link to "verify" your account	Google security alerts are real, but always verify by going directly to myaccount.google.com/security rather than clicking email links.
Collaboration requests with malicious files	"Let's collab! Here's my media kit" with a .exe, .scr, or macro-enabled document attached	Legitimate creators share media kits as PDFs or links to their website, not executable files. Never download or run unexpected attachments.

Using OAuth-Based Tools for Account Safety

When connecting third-party tools to your YouTube account — like scheduling tools, analytics platforms, or thumbnail generators — always verify they use OAuth authentication. OAuth allows you to grant limited access to a service without ever sharing your actual password.

PostPlanify uses official OAuth to connect to your YouTube account, meaning your credentials are never exposed to us. You can review and revoke access at any time through your Google account permissions page. If you schedule YouTube Shorts as part of your content workflow, see our guide on how to schedule YouTube Shorts.

Recovery Is Not Working: What Else Can You Try?

If you have exhausted the standard recovery paths and are still locked out, here are additional options before giving up:

Alternative Recovery Strategies

1. Try a completely different device and network. Google's recovery system considers your device, browser, location, and IP address when evaluating whether you are the real account owner. If you have been attempting recovery from a device you never used with the account, try from the device you most frequently signed in from. If that device is unavailable, try from the same Wi-Fi network or physical location.

2. Wait and try again. Google's documentation recommends waiting 24-48 hours between recovery attempts. The system may temporarily limit your options if it detects too many attempts in a short period. A fresh attempt after waiting often presents different verification options.

3. Provide more account details. On subsequent attempts, Google may ask different questions. Be prepared with:

• The approximate month and year you created the account
• Names of frequent email contacts
• Names of any YouTube playlists you created
• Labels or folders you set up in Gmail
• Other Google products you used with the account (Drive, Calendar, Maps)

4. Contact YouTube on social media. @TeamYouTube on X (Twitter) responds to account recovery requests. Send a public tweet describing your situation (no sensitive info) and include your channel URL. They can sometimes escalate cases that are stuck in the automated system.

5. Post in the YouTube Help Community. The YouTube Help Community forum has Google Product Experts who can offer guidance and occasionally escalate issues. Include as much detail as possible (without sharing passwords or personal info).

What Will NOT Help (And What to Avoid)

Approach	Why It Does Not Work
Paying a "recovery service"	These are scams. Google does not authorize any third-party to recover accounts. You will lose money and potentially give scammers even more of your information.
Creating a new YouTube account to evade a ban	YouTube detects ban evasion and will terminate the new account too, potentially resulting in a permanent device or IP ban.
Contacting Google's corporate office	Google does not have a phone line or walk-in office for individual account recovery. All recovery goes through the online process.
Filing a lawsuit	While technically possible, the legal costs vastly exceed the value for most individual creators. Only viable for large businesses with significant proven damages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does YouTube account recovery take?

It depends entirely on your scenario. A simple password reset takes 5-10 minutes. Recovery without 2FA access takes 3-7 business days. Hacked account recovery can take 1-7 days depending on the method. Channel termination appeals take 14-30 days. Disabled Google account appeals can take several weeks. The fastest path in every case is using the official Google account recovery page from a device and location you have previously signed in from.

Can I recover a YouTube account without the email or phone number?

It is difficult but possible. Use Google's "Forgot email?" tool to identify the linked email using your recovery phone or backup email. If you have no recovery information at all, try signing into Google from a device that was previously logged into the account — Google may bypass some verification steps when it recognizes a trusted device. As a last resort, the identity verification process lets you answer detailed questions about your account activity.

What happens to my subscribers if my YouTube channel is terminated?

Your subscribers remain on YouTube but they lose access to your channel and content. If your termination appeal is successful, everything is restored — subscribers, videos, playlists, watch time, and analytics data. If the appeal fails and the termination stands, those subscribers are effectively lost. They will not be automatically redirected to a new channel.

Can I recover a YouTube brand account if the owner's Google account is deleted?

Brand Accounts on YouTube can have multiple owners and managers. If the primary owner's Google account is deleted but other managers remain, those managers can continue operating the channel. If all owners and managers lose access, you will need to recover the primary owner's Google account first, then access the Brand Account through it. See YouTube's brand account documentation for details.

Is YouTube's "Second Chances" program available to everyone?

Not yet. The Second Chances pilot program launched in October 2025 and is currently available to a limited set of terminated creators. If eligible, you can apply for a new channel one year after your original termination. YouTube reviews each application individually and approval is not guaranteed. The program is expected to expand, but there is no confirmed timeline for broader availability.

How do I prevent my YouTube account from being hacked?

Enable 2-Step Verification immediately — this is the single most effective protection. Use a unique, strong password (12+ characters) that you do not reuse on any other service. Be extremely cautious with emails claiming to be from YouTube or Google, especially those with links or attachments. Never download files from unverified sponsorship or collaboration requests. Review your Google account security settings and connected third-party apps regularly.

Can I recover videos from a permanently deleted YouTube account?

If your Google account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored, your YouTube videos are gone from the platform. However, if you previously downloaded your videos through Google Takeout or have the original files on your device, you can re-upload them to a new channel. This is why regular backups through Google Takeout are essential for any creator with valuable content.

Does contacting Google support help with account recovery?

Google does not offer traditional customer support (phone or live chat) for individual account recovery. All recovery is handled through the automated online process at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For YouTube-specific issues, the best support channels are YouTube Creator Support (available to Partner Program members through YouTube Studio), @TeamYouTube on X (Twitter), and the YouTube Help Community forum.

Next Steps: Keep Your Channel Safe and Growing

Recovering your YouTube account is the urgent first step. Once you are back in, the priority shifts to making sure this never happens again: enable 2-Step Verification, save your backup codes, and set up recovery email and phone.

With your account secured, you can get back to what actually matters — creating content and growing your channel. If you are looking to build a consistent YouTube upload schedule without the stress of manual posting, PostPlanify lets you schedule YouTube Shorts and manage your content across all your social platforms from one dashboard.

For more YouTube growth strategies, check out these guides:

• How to Schedule YouTube Shorts
• Best Time to Upload YouTube Videos
• How Much Does YouTube Pay for 1,000 Views?
• How to Start a YouTube Channel for Kids