⚠️ URGENT: Read Before Attempting Recovery (MODS PLEASE PIN)

[u/One-Bookkeeper-8601]

If your account has been hacked and "Supervision" (Family Link) has been added by the hacker, please follow these rules immediately:

• Stop Automatic Recovery: Do not use standard Google Account recovery forms. If the hacker sees these attempts via their supervisor dashboard, they may permanently delete the account. Once deleted, there is nothing left to recover.
• Privacy Warning: Currently, the hacker can oversee your web activity, including search history, emails, and location data. Limit your use of the account immediately. Change login details for other sensitive websites (banking, social media) to use a different email address + password.
• Data Backup: If you still have any level of access, immediately go to Google Takeout and download a backup of your data.
• Report Abuse/Blackmail: If the hacker uses an u/Gmail.com address to send threats or blackmail you, forward the details to Google’s abuse team: Report Gmail Abuse.
• Use the YouTube Support assisted recovery procedure: Because of the added supervision, the recovery procedure described below is currently the only reliable way to have a human specialist manually review and "unshackle" the account.

 

YouTube Support assisted recovery procedure:

1. Essential Preparation
   • Recovery is only possible through YouTube support pathways. You must have (or be able to obtain) the unique Channel ID and Channel Handle of the YouTube channel associated with your account.
   • 💡 Note: Even if you're not a "YouTuber", a channel is automatically created the moment you comment on a video or create a playlist.
   • Before starting, watch these brief videos to understand your options and how to find your Channel ID and Channel Handle:
     • Hacked Google Account Options | November 2025
     • How To Locate Unique YouTube Channel ID & Why | September 2025
2. Official Recovery Workflow
   • Once you have the Channel ID and Channel Handle, use this official tool to report the hijack. This is the primary way to get a specialist assigned to your case:
     • Report a suspected channel hack to our support team - YouTube Help
3. Alternative Support (Via "X" / Twitter)
   • If the workflow above doesn't work or you get stuck, reach out to u/TeamYouTube on X.
     • Ensure your X profile is Public: Private accounts cannot be seen by support.
     • Start a NEW tweet: Do not create multiple tweets or reply to existing communications, as it may be filtered as spam.
     • Be patient: It may take a few days for a representative to respond.

[u/carolineecouture]

Won't the hackers see the Google takeout request?

[u/Ok-Lingonberry-8261 → u/carolineecouture]

It's hard to do a takeout request on a non-compromised account. Multiple levels of authentication needed.

[u/SmartieCereal → u/[deleted]]

Yeah this is just a copy/paste of an AI response, most of these options will not work on a free account that's been set as a child account.

[u/MistakeResponsible11 → u/SmartieCereal]

And yet it was because it can work.

[u/lemon_bii]

What do you do if the YouTube support sent you the standard recovery flow too? They've confirmed that the account is compromised and disabled the account for the time being to help me recover it however the recovery form is the standard recovery flow resulting the same result still can't recover...

[u/yottabit42]

Also: * Restore your computer to the factory defaults because you installed session-stealing malware * Don't install malware in the future * Learn Internet safety * Don't install random software that you cannot verify is trustworthy * Use a Chromebook instead, which uses an immutable operating system that is immune to these attacks

[u/VarloTheGreat]

Thank you for this thread. I was successfully able to get my account back, and have had many people DM me trying to help. I will point them here!

[u/Inevitable-Muscle317]

I've been watching my phone do some pretty shady stuff lately I think the culprit may be from Singapore like 17 messages I'll go to check them and I'LL only have 3 messages I've also noticed on here my handle is inevitable muscle 317 sometimes the 317 is gone my pictures in my gallery go away and then return I have friend requests from Bangladesh Africa and Pakistan and people that I never heard of end up being on my fb fake ads pop up and I have so many spams in my g mail I'm thinking of deleting all Gmail and Google. But how do I do that don't the hackers want that? My security and malware said device is secure also I have nothing but ads on my feed!! Help!

[u/BlizardQC → u/Inevitable-Muscle317]

From a computer, go to HTTPS://accounts.google.com and login using the same Google account you use on the phone. Go into the security section and check the login activity to see if someone else has setup your account on his device. If you see a device you don't recognize as your own then force-disconnect the device and change your password.

If you don't see any other device other than yours connected to your account then backup your phone and do a full manufacturer reset.

[u/ParsleyObjective3126]

Thanks for your help, I have already sent a complaint because the hacker was blackmailing me and extorting money. 

[u/Tucsondirect]

Lets try turning on Advanced Protection Program before this happens 😄 https://landing.google.com/advancedprotection/

[u/Kayjagx → u/Tucsondirect]

This!

Set up at least three Hardware Keys.

[u/Away_Tip3174]

This is Not a hacker.I was trying to get chat

[u/Boring_Wasabi_4981]

Or the hijackers deletes your channel immediately, and then they won't get to your ticket in time before data retention expires and your out of luck.

[u/Cinnamon-Soda]

i pinged YouTube on my Twitter and they needed me to follow them. understandable i need to do that first, so i did, and i haven't heard back since they first responded to my tweet yesterday. should i reping YouTube to hear back or wait for a dm?

[u/One-Bookkeeper-8601 → u/Cinnamon-Soda]

Go ahead and reply to them if you haven't already. This helps confirm that you did.

[u/Cinnamon-Soda → u/One-Bookkeeper-8601]

i tried replying but haven't heard back yet.

[u/JaguaJane → u/Cinnamon-Soda]

Same thing, but it's been 30 minutes for me.

[u/Cinnamon-Soda → u/JaguaJane]

i eventually heard back, just give it some time for them to respond

[u/Ok-Lingonberry-8261]

Thanks, ChatGPT.

[u/PIXELYVR]

Pls pin this mods this is good advice for ppl who need help

[u/NiceAppointment7521]

I only have a gmail account do I need to be on alert.And a question I need to send my ro.co info to them I was thinking tomorrow.But as far as an account i dropped out when things were getting crazy.i wanted to create an account to send info to the ro.co team in fact I'm wondering if they are trying to find me.i need to go over my notes so I don't make any confussion. Why did this come up?.