How do I change or recover the phone number on a family member’s Google Account?
Answer
Only the account owner should change recovery phone numbers. If your brother can still sign in, he should open Google Account > Security > Phone or recovery phone and update it himself. If sign-in fails with Couldn’t find your Google Account, confirm the exact email address first, then use Google’s official account recovery. You generally cannot pull another adult’s phone number from Google without their access.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Stop if a site or popup asks you to pay to unlock a Google Account or install unknown remote-access software.
- Changing another adult’s Google Account without permission can violate Google’s terms and local law.
Follow these steps
Confirm the exact Google email
Ask your brother for the full Gmail or Google email address, including spelling and any numbers. Retry sign-in at accounts.google.com. If Google still says Couldn’t find your Google Account, the address is wrong or the account no longer exists under that spelling.
You should see: Either the account is found, or you know the email string itself is the problem.
Update the phone number while signed in
If he can sign in, go to Google Account > Security, then open Phone or recovery phone / recovery information. Add or replace the phone number and complete Google’s verification. Also review 2-Step Verification phone numbers if that feature is on.
You should see: The new phone number is saved as a recovery or 2-Step Verification number on the account.
Use official recovery if he is locked out
From the Google sign-in screen, choose Forgot email or Forgot password as needed and follow Google Account Recovery. Answer with details only he would know. Have him complete recovery himself when possible so codes go to devices he still controls.
You should see: Google either restores access or explains what verification is still required.
Check a trusted device before changing numbers
Look for a phone or computer that is already signed into his Google Account (Gmail app, Chrome profile, or Android owner account). From that session, open account security settings and update the recovery phone without going through a cold recovery flow.
You should see: A trusted signed-in session lets him change recovery info more easily than a locked-out browser.
Stop if you cannot verify ownership
If Google will not accept recovery answers and no trusted device remains, only your brother can keep trying official recovery with better details. Do not buy unlock tools or give account codes to strangers who offer to “get the number.”
You should see: You avoid unsafe third-party unlock paths and stay on Google’s official process.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Couldn’t find your Google Account, recovery phone prompts, 2-Step Verification phone numbers, and whether your brother can still open Gmail or another Google sign-in on a trusted device.
Before you change anything: Get your brother’s permission before handling his account. Use only accounts.google.com or the official Google Account app. Do not use “account unlock” services that ask for payment or remote access. Never share passwords or SMS codes with unexpected callers.