Google is rolling out a new way to recover access to your account, and all it takes is a quick selfie video.
The company has introduced a new “selfie video” sign-in method that acts as a backup when you can’t access your usual phone, passkeys or other trusted devices.
Rather than replacing existing security features, the new option is designed as an additional recovery method that gives users another way to verify their identity if they’re locked out of their Google Account.
Setting it up is relatively straightforward. During enrolment, you’ll be asked to look into your device’s camera and complete a series of guided head movements. This lets Google capture multiple angles of your face. The process works on both smartphones and desktop computers, though desktop users without a webcam can use their phone instead.
If you ever lose access to your usual authentication methods, you’ll simply record another selfie video. It will also ask you to perform a few simple movements to confirm it’s a live recording rather than a static image or replayed video, and will compare it with the encrypted version already stored on your account.
Unsurprisingly, security is central to the feature. Google says the system uses multiple layers of protection to defend against spoofing attempts. This includes fake photos, recorded videos and AI-generated deepfakes. It also continues to monitor for suspicious sign-in attempts in the background as part of its broader account security systems.
Privacy has also been taken into account. Google says the stored selfie video is encrypted at rest, meaning it’s protected while stored on its servers. Users can also delete their selfie video at any time, and by default it will only be used for account verification. There is also an optional setting that allows users to share the data to help improve Google’s verification technology, though this isn’t enabled automatically.
The new feature joins Google’s existing recovery options, including passkeys, recovery contacts and traditional recovery methods. The company recommends enabling multiple recovery options rather than relying on just one, making it easier to regain access if a device is lost or stolen.
Eligible users can check whether the feature is available on their account and enrol through Google’s dedicated selfie sign-in page.
It’s not the first company to explore biometric account recovery, but Google’s approach could prove particularly useful for anyone who finds themselves locked out of their account without access to their usual devices. As long as the security measures work as advertised, it offers another layer of protection without adding much friction to the recovery process.
