"The latest security feature for Gmail enables users to recover their accounts with a little help from their friends. Google is now allowing its customers to select trusted friends and family members, whose accounts can now be used to retrieve recovery codes in cases where other means aren't available. It comes as the tech giant continues to nudge its user base toward passkeys, which for some time now it has viewed as the future of account authentication."
"When they lose their smartphone, for example, they can't immediately access their other email accounts, or SMS messages for one-time passcodes, potentially leaving them without access to their email. Once a trusted recovery contact is set, users can select which one they would like to help them regain access to their account. The user will share a code with them. They will get a notification to help with the recovery, and verify the request was genuine using the code the user provided."
Gmail introduces a trusted contacts recovery feature allowing users to select friends or family to retrieve recovery codes when other recovery methods fail. The feature complements a broader push toward passkeys while addressing device loss scenarios that can block access to SMS codes and email. Users choose a trusted recovery contact and share a code; the contact receives a notification and confirms the request via number-matching among three codes. Recovery requests expire after 15 minutes, requiring a new code or a different contact. Google advises selecting responsive, security-aware contacts and warns of residual social-engineering risk if a contact is compromised.
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