Google rolls out selfie video recovery for accounts

Google has introduced a new biometric recovery option for personal accounts, allowing users to regain access by recording a short video of their face. The feature, called selfie video, began rolling out globally on July 23, 2026, as an additional method alongside existing options like recovery phone numbers, emails, passkeys, and recovery contacts.

The system is designed for scenarios where users lose access to their primary sign-in methods, such as after losing a device or forgetting a password. To set it up, users navigate to the security settings in their Google Account, where they are guided to record a video while performing simple head movements to capture multiple angles of their face. This reference video is encrypted and stored securely. If access is later lost, Google may prompt the user to record a fresh selfie video, which is then compared to the original to verify identity and restore account access.

Google emphasizes that the feature incorporates multiple security safeguards to prevent spoofing. The required head movements act as a liveness detection test to defend against the use of static photos or AI-generated deepfakes. The company also states it employs its...