Forgotten email password on a smartphone is a situation that every third Android user faces. According to statistics Google, 68% of requests to restore access to accounts come from mobile devices. The problem is aggravated by the fact that on Android, mailboxes are often tied to system services: without them, it is impossible to download applications from Google Play, synchronize contacts or use cloud services.

In this article we will examine 5 working methods returning access to mail - from official recovery methods to little-known tricks with Android settings. Important: If two-factor authentication is enabled on your device, some methods may not work without access to a backup phone or email. We will also tell you how to protect your account in the future to avoid repeated problems.

We warn you right away: the article does not contain instructions on how to hack other people's accounts. All methods are legal and are intended only to restore access to yours mailboxes on Gmail, Mail.ru, Yandex and other popular services.

📊 What email service do you use on Android?
Gmail
Mail.ru
Yandex
Outlook
Other

1. Standard password recovery via the web version of mail

The most obvious and secure way is to use the official recovery procedure on the mail service website. This method works in 90% of cases if you have access to a backup email or phone.

Instructions for Gmail (similar to other services):

  1. Open your browser on Android and go to accounts.google.com
  2. Enter your email and click "Forgot your password?»
  3. Select a confirmation method: SMS to the linked number or letter to a backup email
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new password

For Mail.ru and Yandex algorithm similar, but there are nuances:

  • 📌 Mail.ru may ask for an answer to a security question if you installed it
  • 🔑 Yandex sometimes requires you to enter the last remembered password (even if it is incorrect)
  • 📱 Both services allow you to restore access through an Android app, if it was installed earlier
💡

If you don’t remember your backup email, try entering old addresses that you used 5-10 years ago. Services often save them in the system.

⚠️ Attention: If you are trying to restore access to corporate mail (for example, on a company domain), standard methods may not work. In this case, contact the organization's IT department - administrators have special tools for resetting passwords.

2. Viewing saved passwords in Android settings

Android stores autofill data, including passwords for email accounts. If you have ever saved a password when logging into mail through a browser or application, you can retrieve it from the system settings.

How to find saved passwords:

  1. Open Settings → Google → Google account management
  2. Go to the section "Security»
  3. Select "Passwords" (may be called "Password Manager")
  4. Find your email account in the list and click on it
  5. To view your password, you will need to confirm your identity using PIN code or fingerprint

Alternative path for older versions of Android (Android 9 and below):

  • 🔧 Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Advanced → Autofill
  • 📝 Select “Autofill Service” (usually this Google)
  • 🔑 In the menu that opens, find the “Passwords” section
Android version Path to passwords Confirmation required?
Android 12+ Settings → Google → Account management → Security → Passwords Yes (PIN/biometrics)
Android 10-11 Settings → Google → Security → Manager passwords Yes
Android 9 Settings → System → Language and input → Autofill → Autofill service No
Android 8 and below No built-in password manager —
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or ColorOS from Oppo) the path to passwords may differ. If you do not find the section, use the search in the settings. at the request “passwords”.

Is Google Password Manager enabled in the autofill settings|

Try alternative paths for your version of Android|

Check for a password in the Chrome browser (Settings → Passwords)|

Use search by settings by keyword "password"-->

3. Retrieving the password through application files (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if you have root access on the device. It allows you to extract the password from the email client files, but requires technical skills.

Instructions for Gmail:

  1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer)
  2. Navigate to path /data/data/com.google.android.gm/shared_prefs/
  3. Find the file MailPref.xml and open it with a text editor
  4. Look for lines with password or authToken —the password can be encrypted in base64

For other email clients the paths will be different:

  • 📧 Mail.ru: /data/data/ru.mail.mailapp/shared_prefs/
  • 🔣 Yandex Mail: /data/data/ru.yandex.mail/shared_prefs/
  • 📩 Outlook: /data/data/com.microsoft.office.outlook/shared_prefs/

Important: passwords in these files are often encrypted. To decrypt, you may need to:

  • 🔐 Use online base64 decoders (for example, https://www.base64decode.org/)
  • 🔑 Use specialized utilities like SQLite Editor for working with databases data
  • 📱 On some firmware, passwords are stored in /data/system/accounts.db —it can be opened through DB Browser for SQLite
What to do if the file is encrypted?

If you find a file with a password, but it is encrypted, try the following steps:

1. Copy the file to your computer and open it through a HEX editor (for example, HxD).

2. Look for sequences of characters similar to email - there may be an encrypted password nearby.

3. For decryption, you can use the utility John the Ripper with the module. for Android passwords.

4. On forums like XDA Developers there are scripts for decrypting specific email clients.

⚠️ Attention: Working with root access may lead to data loss or disruption of the system. Before starting, make a backup copy via TWRP or another custom recovery. Also remember that some banking apps stop working on rooted devices.

4. Using backup codes and two-factor authentication

If two-factor authentication (2FA) was enabled on your account, backup codes may be required to restore access. places:

Where to look for backup codes:

  • 📄 In printed form - if you saved them when setting up 2FA
  • 📧 In a letter from the mail service with the subject “Backup codes” or “Backup codes”
  • 📱 In the password manager (if the codes were saved there automatically)
  • 🔐 In the account settings on another device where you are logged in

How to use a backup code for Gmail:

  1. On the account login screen, select “Other method”
  2. Click “Enter backup code”
  3. Enter one of the 8-digit codes (each code is one-time only)
  4. After logging in, generate new backup codes in the security settings

For Yandex and Mail.ru the process is similar, but there are nuances:

  • 🔄 Yandex allows you to use one backup code several times (before expiration)
  • 🔄 Mail.ru links backup codes to a specific device - a code from a phone may not work on a computer
  • 📱 Both services allow you to disable 2FA for 24 hours using a backup code if you have temporarily lost access to the main device
💡

Backup codes are your last chance to restore access if you have lost your phone with the associated number. Store them in a safe place (for example, in an encrypted file on a flash drive or in the manager’s safe. passwords).

5. Recovery via linked phone number

If a phone number is associated with your email account, you can use it to reset your password even without access to your backup email. This method works for most popular services.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. On the mail login page, select “Forgot your password?”
  2. Indicate that you do not have access to the backup email
  3. Select the recovery option via SMS
  4. Enter the code from the message to the linked number
  5. Create a new password and confirm it

Features for different services:

  • 📱 Gmail will send an SMS even if the number is linked to another Google account
  • 📞 Mail.ru requires that the number be confirmed in advance (you cannot link it during recovery)
  • 🔄 Yandex allows you to use a number linked to another Yandex account
  • 🌍 For international services (for example, Outlook) the number must be in the format +[country code]

If SMS is not comes:

  • 📵 Check whether the number is blocked by the operator for service messages
  • 🔄 Try requesting a call instead of an SMS (available in Gmail i Outlook)
  • 📶 Make sure your phone has a good network signal (switch to 4G if available)
  • 🕒 Wait 5-10 minutes - sometimes messages arrive with a delay
⚠️ Attention: If you use a virtual number (for example, from Telegram or Google Voice), recovery via SMS may not work Most. mail services block virtual numbers for security purposes.

6. Alternative methods: when nothing helps

If standard methods do not work, less obvious, but sometimes effective methods remain. They should be tried only as a last resort.

Methods for difficult cases:

  • 📧 Restoration through support: Write to the mail service support service from another email, attaching scans of documents (passport, driver's license). Gmail and Yandex sometimes they restore access based on such requests.
  • 🔄 Using an old device: If you have an old phone or tablet where you logged into your mail, try to retrieve the password through the synchronization settings.
  • 📱 Resetting the password through the app: Some email clients (for example, BlueMail or FairEmail) have their own recovery mechanisms.
  • 🔐 Hard reset: On some devices (for example, Samsung c Knox) you can reset your account password through recovery mode, but this will lead to data loss.

For Gmail there is a special account recovery form:

  1. Go to accounts.google.com/support
  2. Select “I can’t log into my account”
  3. Fill out the form with as much information as possible:
    • Last remembered password
    • Date of account creation
    • Frequently used devices
    • Last emails (subjects and recipients)
  • Attach a scan of your identity document
  • Wait for a response (may take from several hours to 5 business days)
    • What to do if your account is hacked?

    If you suspect that your account has been hacked (for example, you receive login emails from unknown devices), immediately follow these steps:

    1 Try to restore access. via https://accounts.google.com/UnlockCaptcha (for Gmail).

    2. If login is possible, immediately check the “Security” section for unknown devices and sessions.

    3. Remove all suspicious applications that have access to your account (Settings → Account → Applications with access).

    4. Enable two-factor authentication and generate new backup codes.

    5. Check your email forwarding settings - hackers often set up automatic forwarding to your email.

    How to protect your account in the future

    To avoid problems with access to mail, follow these recommendations:

    Basic security measures:

    • 🔐 Use password manager (for example, Bitwarden or 1Password) for generating and storing complex passwords
    • 📱 Enable two-factor authentication using authenticator applications (Google Authenticator, Authy)
    • 📧 Regularly update backup codes (once every 3-6 months)
    • 🔄 Check the list devices with access to your account (remove unknown ones)

    Additional tips for Android:

    • 📲 Save backup codes in an encrypted file on the device (for example, via Cryptomator)
    • 🔧 Use Secure Folder (on Samsung) or Private Space (on Xiaomi) to store critical data
    • 📡 Configure notifications about new logins in security account settings
    • 🔄 Regularly export contacts and letters to a backup copy (once a month)

    Example of a strong password for mail:

    k7#pL9!vN2$qR4@mX8

    Such a password contains:

    • 🔢 Numbers, symbols and letters in different cases
    • 🎲 No obvious connections with your personal data
    • 🔑 Length 16+ characters (protection from brute force attacks)
    💡

    Never use the same password for mail and other services. According to statistics, 80% of account hacks occur due to the reuse of passwords on different sites.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about recovering your mail password

    Can I find out my mail password? without resetting?

    Yes, if the password is saved in the Android password manager or in the email client files (root access is required). Without saved data or access to the backup email/phone, it is impossible to find out the current password - you can only reset it.

    What to do if the linked phone number no longer exists?

    In this case, try:

    1. Restore access via backup email
    2. Contact service support with documents confirming account ownership
    3. If the account is Gmail, try restoring it through the form accounts.google.com/support, indicating old passwords and payment information (if a card is linked)

    For Mail.ru and Yandex the chances are lower - these services strictly check the ownership of the number.

    Is it possible to recover a password from corporate email?

    No, if you are not a domain administrator. Corporate accounts (for example, name@company.ru) are managed through the administrator panel. Contact your organization's IT department with a request to reset your password.

    How to protect your account after recovery?

    After access is returned:

    1. Immediately change the password to a new one (use a password generator)
    2. Enable two-factor authentication
    3. Check your email forwarding settings and filters - burglars often leave “back doors”
    4. Remove unknown devices from the trusted list
    5. Update backup codes and save them in a safe place
    What to do if the mail is linked to a deleted Google account on your phone?

    If you reset your phone to factory settings, but did not unlink your account Google, use Google Find My Device:

    1. Go to google.com/android/find from another device
    2. Select your phone in the list
    3. Click "Lock device" and set a new PIN
    4. After unlocking the phone, log in to your account and unlink your old email

    If the device is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work - you will need to enter the last account details Google after reset.