Dec 10, 2019

Cannot Change GMail Password From New Device

My condo complex has a gmail account for which I am now responsible.  While I can login to the gmail account, I cannot change the password because it wants to send a code to an already known device (and not to my pc that it considers is unknown/untrusted).  
I have put my personal email address and phone number in as recovery information sources but when trying to change the password it does not prompt me for either of these pieces of information as a verification of who I am.  It just wants to send a code to the previous person who managed the email address' tablet.
I do not want to do a reset because I am worried about losing access to the history emails.
Is there a way round this situation?
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No doubt you have seen this?  https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/41078?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en   Two ways of changing passwords there; we don't know why Google have forced you to use the second method;  they will not reveal this.  And I am not sure why they say "change", and in the next grouping they say "reset".
 
Maybe Google would have been sending that message to the last known user,'s device, as a security precaution;  if they do that you can't stop it.
 
And Yes, no more security questions; Google found too easy to hack. 
 
You can of course keep the same password, but major security issues here for the condo group;  maybe a disgruntled ex user decides to have fun with the account, etc.  And on the other hand, if a user retires and refuses to hand over the password, then account recovery would need doing again, as well.
Original Poster GAlanB 4680 marked this as an answer
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GAlanB 4680
 
From what you have posted, you will need to attempt Account Recovery {"AR"), which is the only way to recover a Google account.  Select your issue on that page. If you have already done AR, we need you to try again, ONE time only.  Read  https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/7299973?hl=en and  http://gmailaccountrecovery.blogspot.com/  before attempting.
 
Use both a device and location that worked previously, if possible.  Don't try when using a VPN.  Google will not return the account if you can't provide enough information to convince them that you are the rightful account holder.
 
What feedback did Google give you AFTER you submitted the Account Recovery?  What was their response?  (Redact anything personal).  We need to know this, in order to provide further assistance, if possible.
 
Dec 10, 2019
Thank JP88 for your quick response.  Just to clarify, I have not lost access to the account: as I said, I can login in and perform all uses of the gmail account.
What I want to be able to do is to change the account password without having to go to the last operator of the account, and similarly, to not have the next operator coming to me to change the password when he/she takes over going forward.
Is there a way to change the password without having to go to the last operator's personal device, by using my computer or the recovery email or recovery phone number.  (I see there are no secret questions anymore on Gmail).
Thanks.
Recommended Answer
Dec 10, 2019
No doubt you have seen this?  https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/41078?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en   Two ways of changing passwords there; we don't know why Google have forced you to use the second method;  they will not reveal this.  And I am not sure why they say "change", and in the next grouping they say "reset".
 
Maybe Google would have been sending that message to the last known user,'s device, as a security precaution;  if they do that you can't stop it.
 
And Yes, no more security questions; Google found too easy to hack. 
 
You can of course keep the same password, but major security issues here for the condo group;  maybe a disgruntled ex user decides to have fun with the account, etc.  And on the other hand, if a user retires and refuses to hand over the password, then account recovery would need doing again, as well.
Original Poster GAlanB 4680 marked this as an answer
Dec 10, 2019
Hi JP88,
Yes, I had already looked at that link, thanks.
And yes, they had been sending the message to the last known device.
You have answered my question.  I can see it's going to be a problem for us going forward. I wish Google would use the recovery address or phone number to verify a new device, and not effectively just dead-end a new device accessing the change password facility.
So, once more, I thank you for your speedy response, and especially for your technical expertise and volunteering so much of your time to help others!  You are a great person for us all to share.
No worries, take care now!
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