News in Short
- Google has introduced Selfie Video as a new account recovery method.
- Users can record a short video to verify their identity.
- The feature is available under the Security and Sign-in section of Google Account settings.
- Google says the videos are encrypted and can be deleted anytime.
- Users may be asked to perform simple head movements during verification.
Getting locked out of your Google Account can be frustrating, especially if you no longer have access to your phone or recovery methods. To make account recovery easier, Google has introduced a new Selfie Video verification feature.
The new option allows users to record a short selfie video in advance, which Google can later use to verify their identity if they ever need to recover their account.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Google’s Selfie Video feature?
Selfie Video is a new account recovery tool that lets users verify their identity through a short video recording instead of relying solely on passwords, recovery codes or trusted devices.
According to Google, the feature is designed for situations where users are locked out of their accounts or cannot access their usual phone or computer.
The company says the recorded video is encrypted, securely stored and used only to confirm the user’s identity during sign-in or account recovery.
How to set up Selfie Video for your Google Account
Setting up the feature takes only a few minutes.
- Open your Google Account.
- Go to Security.
- Select Sign-in.
- Tap Selfie Video.
- Allow camera access when prompted.
- Look directly at the camera.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and perform the requested head movements.
- Once the recording is complete, Google securely saves the encrypted video in your account’s Security Settings.
After setup, your selfie video becomes one of the available account recovery methods.
How to recover your Google Account using Selfie Video
If you’re locked out of your account in the future, here’s how the new feature works:
- Start the Google Account recovery process.
- Choose Selfie Video if the option is available.
- Record a new selfie video by following Google’s instructions.
- Perform the requested head movements to prove you’re physically present.
- Google compares the new recording with the selfie video you previously enrolled.
- If the verification matches, you’ll regain access to your Google Account.
The company says its AI model also checks whether the recording belongs to a real person and whether the user meets the age requirements for certain Google services.
Is your selfie video safe?
Google says users remain in full control of their data.
The company states that the selfie video is encrypted while stored and is only used for identity verification. It will not be used for other purposes without user consent.
Users can also delete the stored selfie video at any time by visiting their Google Account’s Security Settings.
Why this feature matters
Passwords can be forgotten, recovery phones can be lost and security keys may not always be available. Google’s new Selfie Video feature offers another layer of protection that could make recovering a locked account much easier.
While it won’t replace traditional security methods, it provides users with an additional backup option that could prove valuable when other recovery methods fail.
