Google launches selfie‑video sign‑in for account recovery
Google has introduced an optional "selfie video" sign‑in method that lets users recover a locked Google Account by recording a short video of their face. Users set up the feature in the Security & Sign‑in section, following guided head‑movement prompts that capture multiple angles. The reference video is encrypted and stored in the cloud; if a user later cannot sign in with a password, phone or recovery contact, they can record a new video, which Google compares to the stored reference.
The feature is positioned alongside passwords, passkeys, recovery contacts and two‑factor authentication, not as a replacement. It is currently available to eligible personal accounts, but excluded are Google Workspace accounts, children’s accounts and accounts in the Advanced Protection Program. A QR‑code fallback allows setup on a secondary device when a computer lacks a webcam. Google says the system includes liveness detection and deep‑fake safeguards, and users can delete their video at any time.