Locked out of your email, photos and accounts: how to get back in
Start with your email, because it unlocks everything else. Go to the company’s official recovery page by typing the address yourself, and use your recovery phone or email from a familiar device. Ignore “support” numbers in ads and paid recovery services. Once back in, change the password, turn on two-step login, remove recovery info or forwarding rules you don’t recognize, and change passwords on linked accounts.
Your checklist
- Use the official recovery page
- Ignore “support” numbers in ads
- Change your password and turn on two-step login
- Remove the hacker’s recovery info and forwarding
- Secure linked accounts
- Save backup codes
Rather read it? Here’s the whole thing.
Start with email
Your email resets every other account, so recover it first.
Use only official recovery
Type the company’s web address yourself and use its account recovery page. Try from a device and location you’ve used before, and use your recovery phone or email.
Avoid fake help
Big email and photo services rarely offer phone support. “Support” numbers in ads and paid “recovery services” are often scams. Never share login codes or pay with gift cards or crypto.
Once you’re back in
- Change the password and turn on two-step login. An authenticator app or passkey is safer than text codes.
- Sign out of all other devices.
- Check recovery phone and email, forwarding rules, connected apps and recent activity. Remove anything you don’t recognize.
Protect everything else
Change passwords on accounts that use that email, starting with banks and money apps. Warn contacts not to click messages sent from your account. If money or identity is involved, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.
Prevent it
Save backup codes, keep your recovery phone current, and use a password manager.
Official sources, and where to look
- FTC consumer advice: hacked email or social mediaconsumer.ftc.gov
- CISA: Secure Our Worldcisa.gov
- IdentityTheft.govidentitytheft.gov
[email provider] official account recoveryFTC hacked email what to do
Common questions
What if I can’t recover my account at all?
Keep trying the official recovery steps from a familiar device. Some services let you appeal or verify with ID. Meanwhile, secure your other accounts and tell contacts. More ›
How did they get my password?
Often from a data breach where the same password was reused, a fake login page, or malware. Use a different password for every account. More ›
How do I recover a hacked email account?
Use the provider’s official account recovery page, from a device and location you’ve used before, with your recovery phone or email. Type the address yourself. More ›
Is there a phone number to call for email account recovery?
Most big email providers don’t offer phone recovery. Numbers in ads claiming to be support are often scams. More ›
What are email forwarding rules and why check them?
Settings that automatically send copies of your mail elsewhere. Hackers set them up to keep reading your mail, so delete any you didn’t create. More ›
What is two-step login?
A second check after your password, like a code or a prompt on your phone. It stops most account takeovers, even if your password leaks. More ›
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Not yet reviewed by an expert. Last checked 2026-10-29. This is general help, not legal, medical or professional advice. Rules are different in every state.