Email, Messaging, & Video Calls Email How to Set Up, Check, and Change a Secondary Gmail Address Protect yourself from account lock-outs by Heinz Tschabitscher Writer A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. our editorial process Heinz Tschabitscher Updated on January 31, 2020 Email Gmail Yahoo! Mail Tweet Share Email When you can't get into your Gmail account, Gmail needs to be able to reach you — and only you — and send a link you use to reset your password. To make sure you can always recover your Gmail account, create an alternate email address with a service such as Gmail or Outlook. Secondary Email Address for Password Recovery To add a secondary email address to your Gmail account for password recovery: Access the Sign-In & Security page for your Google Account, then select Security. In the Ways we can verify it's you section, select Recovery Email. As a precaution, Google will ask you to reauthenticate your account. Select Add Recovery Email. Enter your recovery email address, then select Done. The box will close, revealing the previous screen with your recovery email added. Gmail Account Security Although a recovery address is a step in the right direction, it's important that the recovery address is safe and accessible to you. Use a work address or a non-Google address (such as Outlook.com), so if your information is compromised, you're not left without recourse. In addition to establishing a recovery password, enable two-factor authentication on your account. If you have the choice, choose two-factor approaches that rely on either a hardware device like a USB security key or an authentication app on your smartphone. Avoid, if you can, two-factor solutions that rely on text messages.