By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
USA, July 23, 2026 - Google has launched a new account recovery feature that will allow users to sign in using a selfie video, offering more and easier ways to regain access to their Google Accounts when they are locked out or unable to use their devices.
The new feature, Selfie Video, was released on Tuesday, and eligible users can check whether the feature is available for their Google Account and enroll at g.co/signin-selfie.
Google maintained that the new feature is secure and helps protect access to personal data stored in Google Accounts, including emails, documents, and photos, and that it builds on its ongoing efforts to provide secure and flexible sign-in options, such as passkeys and recovery contacts.
To set up the feature, an individual will be required to look into a device's camera and follow a series of short, guided head movements to capture multiple angles of the user's face.
Once successful and enrolled, users who are unable to access their accounts can record another selfie video during the recovery process, which will then be compared with the original to verify the user's identity before access is granted.
“Your Google Account holds a lot of valuable information, from cherished photos to important emails and documents. We always want to make sure that information is private, secure, and readily available to you, which is why we recommend setting up multiple sign-in methods,” the company stated.
“Today, we’re adding a new way to sign in: selfie video. Selfie video is a new way to get into your account, giving you more options if you’re ever locked out or don’t have access to your usual phone or computer,” it added.
To prevent suspicious activities and impersonation attempts using fake photos and videos, the company assured that it will still leverage its standard security practices to detect and help prevent unauthorised sign-in attempts.
Once a suspicious sign-in attempt has been detected, the company shall match the video against your saved selfie and require you to perform simple movements to prove it's a live video.
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