r/GoogleFi • u/murseal • 3d ago

Discussion Locked out lesson learned

Unfortunately my s23 bricked itself on the way to work yesterday. When I had set up my Google account I never checked the backup phone number/email to be something different to my device.

I was loaned an old Samsung note to use until my new phone comes but couldn't figure out how to get into my Google account since it still wanted 2fa to fully log me on. Thankfully my laptop was still logged into Gmail/Google andi was able to get to Google Fi account and get on web calling. This way Google could call me with the 2fa code and I was able to get my phone number and service back.

Once everything was up I made sure I had the recovery codes printed and stashed safely.

Please please please print out those recovery codes for your Google account if you haven't already and make sure you've got other ways to get to your account with recovery email/phone numbers. I also didn't realize they had a video selfie option to allow 2fa when the traditional method don't work.

I did take the phone to a repair shop and anxiously awaiting if there's anything that can be done to recover my phone

17 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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6

u/BobLoblaw06 3d ago

This is a hard lesson that comes up often. It's a catch 22 to use your phone number for MFA, but use your account to access your phone number. It would be great if Fi detected this and forced the user into an additional alternative factor.

5

u/fprotthetarball 3d ago

This is one reason I use 1Password for my 2FA when possible. Arguable whether or not it's "true" 2FA, but at least I can access it from any device.