Google’s new selfie video feature gives users another recovery option

Getting locked out of a Google Account can mean losing access to years of emails, photos, documents, passwords, and other personal data. To reduce that risk, Google has introduced Selfie Video, a new account recovery option that lets users verify their identity with a short video if they can no longer access their usual sign-in methods.

Setting up Selfie Video requires users to record a short clip using their device’s camera while following a series of guided head movements. Google captures multiple angles of the user’s face and securely stores the video in their account with the user’s consent.

If the account owner is locked out in the future, they can record another selfie video during the recovery process. Google compares the new recording with the one saved during setup to verify the user’s identity before restoring access to the account.

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Google said the verification process is designed to defend against impersonation attempts, including fake photos, deep fakes, and AI-generated videos. Users are asked to perform simple movements during recording to confirm they are present in front of the camera, while Google’s existing security systems continue to monitor for suspicious sign-in activity.

The company also said selfie videos are encrypted while stored and are used only to help users sign in unless they choose to share them for other purposes. Users can remove their saved selfie video at any time through their Google Account settings.

The company recommends enabling more than one sign-in or recovery method instead of relying on a single device. Having multiple recovery options can make it easier to regain access if a phone is lost, a computer is replaced, or another primary sign-in method becomes unavailable.

Selfie Video is now available through Google’s account settings. Users who want to enable the feature can visit g.co/signin-selfie, while additional details are available on Google’s official security blog.