Gmail Doesn't Recognize This Device After 5 Years Of Logging In On This Device

I have a gmail account that I suddenly can't log into . The message it gives me says that it does not recognize the device. This is the only device I have ever used to log into this particular account and I always use the same browser, Firefox, when I do. I have always declined to give Google my phone number - is this a ploy by Google to get it from me? Also, if I were a hacker couldn't I just enter my own phone number and own this account? How is this secure?
Oh, and any chance I can get back in?
Thanks,
P'lite

 

This page describes Google's account recovery process. But if you have not provided either a recovery phone number or email address you may be stuffed.

 

This is a shot in the dark but, rather than using a browser, try setting up your account in an email client such as Thunderbird or Mailbird Lite. Let us know how you get on.

 

It's a PC. I have never accessed that gmail account from any other device.

 

I did not know you could set up a gmail account in a separate client. But I assume I would have to get back into this account to make it happen, right?

 

Oh, and no, it doesn't give any other info.

 

Nope, just install the client and complete its account setup requirements. Might succeed.

 

Does the account work on your phone?

 

I just tried to log into another gmail account that would have been the recovery account and now it's giving me the same message. Interesting.

 

Very unlikely since I've never used my phone for it before.

 

Here is how the message reads. It appears after I enter my password and hit return:
Verify it's you
This device isn't recognized. For your security, Google wants to make sure it's really you.

 

Malware?

 

Here's what happened. I installed Thunderbird and entered the email address & password. That gave me a new sign-in box that's a Google sign-in. Up top it says 'Sign in with Google', then Sign In to Continue to Mozilla Thunderbird Email. So that's not going to work I'm afraid.

 

You need to fully complete the account section, with the necessary server details. Sorry for the lack of detail - it's a year or three since I've had to do this but as I recollect TBird helps with server details. There shouldn't be any need for a Google login.

 

Maybe? One of the email addresses appears on Have I been Pwned but with no pastes. But I'm wondering if these two accounts, because they are kept separate from my main account and contain little u$eful data, are being targeted by google somehow? Like they really want to exactly know who owns them? I don't doubt they would do that, but is this happening to anyone else?

 

The server information is already there. Does it make any difference whether I checked Pop3 or Imap?

 

POP or IMAP is just your choice, doesn't affect anything else, but as two accounts are having the same problem it's unlikely a client will help get round it. No new suggestions atm.

 

Reading about similar problems I'm suspecting these two accounts have been the subject of some third party attempts to crack them.

 

,
Thanks

 

Bottom line is, you always need a "Plan B". And, C,D,E, and F 'n' G.

Using your phone as a lifeline for account access is not an issue with GMail. In fact, it's actually good policy. I've never seen any evidence of them not keeping my personal information private.

 

I got into the accounts using a phone#. There was no evidence of hacking, and when I checked the recognized devices in settings there was my familiar Windows PC (the one Google supposedly didn't recognize) and nothing else. Google just really wanted my phone number. Thanks for your replies.

 

You are right to be careful about your personal information but in this case your suspicions are misplaced. Have you any evidence at all of Google misusing recovery numbers or addresses?

 

Hello.
Sorry to hear of your problem but I might have an answer...
If you update your Google Chrome browser it should be back to normal.
Hope that helps.
s.

 

Maybe, I mean update Firefox.
Same thing happened on the laptop but it uses Chrome.
Good luck.
s.

 

This is in my saved mail folder from Aug 28 2010.
>>
The days of needing your computer to get to your inbox are long gone. You can now use Gmail on your mobile phone to access your email from anywhere.

Get Gmail for your phone »<<

I have never given them a phone number and use a nickname@@hotmail account for recovery. I do get verification checks often because of different machines, virtual machines and live os's.

Never had any trouble. The email showed up as pawned once because of an Adobee data breach. Changed password, never looked back.

 

I have had the same problem for two months. Can't get in via thunderbird, can't get in directly via gmail. I get the same error messages. If I only had a list of everybody who emails me using this address that I have had for years, I'd drop gmail like a hot rock, and tell them to use a new one. They are all in my address book, but of course I can't get in there. Google can jam it.

 

And you have tried to access your account on a phone or on a different computer? What possible motive could Google have for blocking your account?

 

um...............not that kind of jam it.....

 

I just tried something. I can get into my account on my phone. But not on ANY computer. With the phone I can receive and send messages. Can I do anything useful with this?

 

Can you access any other Google apps that require you to sign in, like Drive or Calendar?

 

I'm off to bed but you could contact Google customer Gmail support -

https://support.google.com/mail?ctx=gcp#topic=7065107

 

Fix Sync problem.
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/6383854?hl=en