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Google Account / Chrome Guide for Survivors

Staying Safe Online

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Table of Contents

  1. Intro
  2. If You Suspect There is Unauthorized Access to Your Account
  3. How to Secure Your Account from Your Former/Current Partner
  4. How to Protect And Manage Your Account History and Activity

This document is a guide of in-app safety strategies to keep your Google account safe and to protect sensitive information about yourself such as your browsing history, saved websites, saved addresses or passwords. The Google Chrome Help and Google Account Help websites were referenced to ensure this content is up-to-date, though this resource is not endorsed nor sponsored by Google. This guide will also help you to secure your account if it has been accessed by a former or current partner.

However, also keep in mind that making changes to your account could increase risks to your safety if your current/former partner already has access and is notified of these changes. If you are concerned, consider consulting with a support worker at an anti-violence organization beforehand.

If something in this guide is no longer up to date and/or difficult to understand, please reach out to techsafe@bcsth.ca with your concerns. If you are having trouble with any of these safety steps, go to Chrome’s Safety Website.

Symbols and What They Mean in This Guide:


Course of action may be visible to your former or current partner. You may want to consult with a staff of an anti-violence program in your community before removing your former or current partner’s access.


Evidence documentation checkpoint. Take screenshots, pictures with a different device, or screen recordings of your former or current partner’s unauthorized access.

 

If You Suspect There is Unauthorized Access to Your Account

 

Changing Passwords

If your former/current partner is logged into your Google account, changing your password can log them out of the account on their device. However, it will not log them out if your former/current partner’s device is saved as a “Google prompt” device. Refer to Checking for Google Prompt Devices for more information about it.

Safety Tip: If your former/current partner has access to the email that is connected to your Google account and connect recovery email, an email will be sent to the connected email account(s) stating that your Google account has changed password. You may want to consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase your risk to violence. To make a secure password, refer to How to Create and Maintain Strong Passwords.

 

To change your password

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Scroll down and tap Password.
  6. Follow the prompts and change to a secure password.

Sources: Google Account Help Google Prompts & Password

 

Account Recovery

Account recovery helps you get back into your Google account if you are locked out. Google does this by sending security messages or login codes to a recovery email or phone number linked to your account.

A recovery email or phone number can be used to:

  • Send alerts about suspicious activity.
  • Help you sign in if you forget your password.
  • Confirm changes to your account.

You can use the steps below to check whether a current or former partner has added their email or phone number to your Google account.

If you are confident that no one else can access your email or phone, adding a recovery email or phone number can help protect your account.


Safety Tip: Account recovery can increase risk if a current or former partner still has access to your email account and your phone or text messages.

When you try to recover your account:

  • Google sends a verification code to the recovery email or phone number.
  • The person with access may see the code or receive an alert.
    • This can let them know you are trying to access or change your account.

Changing your Google password can also send alerts to the connected email address. If someone else can access that email, they may know you are making changes.

When to use account recovery

Use account recovery if:

  • You are locked out of your account AND
  • The recovery email and phone number are only accessible by you.
  • You feel safe receiving alerts or codes to those accounts

When NOT to use account recovery

Do not use account recovery if:

  • A current or former partner can access your email or phone.
  • You are unsure which email or phone number is safe.
  • You are worried about alerting someone that you are securing your account.

In these situations, it may be safer to create a new Google account using:

  • A new email address.
  • A new phone number (if possible).
  • Devices and accounts your partner have never accessed.

If you are already logged in and want to secure your account, see Changing Passwords.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings and documentation of the unauthorized access. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.


Safety Tip: When you select the alternative methods to sign in, codes and notifications will be sent to the email/phone number/recovery email that is connected to your Google account. If your former/current partner has access to those contact methods, they could be notified that you are requesting to change your Google password. Once you change your password, it will also send an email to the connected contact methods stating this change.

To add a recovery phone number and/or email

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Under the heading ‘How you sign into Google,’ tap Recovery phone or Recovery email.
  6. Follow the prompts.

Source: Google Account Help

For additional support: Google Account Help Recover your Google Account or Gmail

 

Checking Device Logins

If you suspect someone has logged in to your account without your consent, review your login history.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings of the unauthorized log-ins. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To check device logins

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Scroll down to find the ‘Your devices’ subheading and tap Manage all devices.

Source: Google Account Help

 

Checking for Connected Third-Party Apps and Services

This function allows you to check if there are problematic third-party apps or services that have access to your Google account. This can be problematic as the connected apps and services may be able to view your name, contacts, google drive, calendar, and photos, depending on the type of service.

Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings of the unauthorized connections. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To manage your Third-party Connections

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Third-party connections.

For support: Google Account Help Manage Third-Party Connections

 

Checking for Installed Chrome Extensions

When you are on a computer or laptop, you have the ability to download browser extensions to your Google account. This allows for third-party apps and services to view your activity such as browsing history, bookmarks, tabs, physical location, and data you copy and paste. You can check for unauthorized access with the following instructions.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings of the unauthorized connections. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To manage your Chrome extensions

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. On the top right, click the More icon (three vertical dots).
  3. Click Extensions.
  4. Click Manage extensions.
  5. Read through each extension and change to your preference.

Source: Chrome Web Store Help

 

Checking for Google Prompt Devices

Google prompt devices are devices that have been trusted by your Google account. This device is usually notified to approve new logins and is notified when new logins are made. You can use the following instructions to check for devices that have been approved for Google prompt or to check for devices that may have been approved for it.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings and documentation of the unauthorized log-ins. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To check for Google Prompt Devices

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Tap Google Prompt.

For support: Google Account Help Google Prompts

 

Checking for Passkeys on Devices

Passkeys are ways to sign into your Google account using either your fingerprint, face, screen lock, or a security key. The passkeys are specifically saved for each device that you are logged into Google account on.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings and documentation of the unauthorized access. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To check if there is any unauthorized access to your account

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Tap Passkeys and security keys.

For additional support: Google Account Help Passkey & Google Chrome Help Manage Passkeys

 

Checking If You Are Sharing Your Live Location with Other Google Accounts

On Google Maps, or on your Google Account, there is an option to share your real-time location with other Google users.


Safety Tip: Be sure to take screenshots/recordings and documentation of the unauthorized access. Before removing unauthorized access, consult with a support worker as it could notify your former/current partner and potentially increase risk to violence.

To see whether or not you are sharing your location with anyone else

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Scroll down and tap People & sharing.
  5. Tap Location sharing.

For additional support: Google Account Help Manage Location Sharing

 

 

How to Secure Your Account from Your Former/Current Partner

If you currently have shared an account with your former or current partner, you can delete the account and/or create a new separate account. This would also include removing identifying information, such as your email address, your phone number, or your name on the account. Your former/current partner may realize immediately or quickly if you make these changes. If you are concerned that this will increase any risks to your safety, we recommend that you consult with a support worker at your transition home or a support organization beforehand.

 

Turning On 2-Step Verification

Turning on 2-Step Verification, also known as 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), can protect your account from future unauthorized logins. Check this resource to understand why 2-Step Verification is important.


Safety Tip: Before enabling 2-Step Verification, make sure the phone number connected to your account is secure by keeping your phone away from your current/former partner. If 2-Step Verification is enabled on an account your current/former partner has access to, they will be notified of attempted logins through verification codes.

To turn on 2-step verification

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Security & sign-in.
  5. Under the heading ‘How you sign in to Google’, tap 2-Step Verification.
  6. Follow prompts.

Source: Google Account Help

 

 

How to Protect and Manage Your Account History and Activity

As you use your Google account, it will save all your past search history whether it’s on Chrome, Google Maps, or Google Workspace such as Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. It is important to check your search history and manage it in case your former/current partner gains unauthorized access to learn sensitive information about you.

 

Turning Off the Sync Feature

The Sync Google Chrome feature syncs information such as bookmarks and extensions across all of your devices in which Chrome is used. If your current/former partner has access to any of your devices, they could gain access to your browsing history, as well as any passwords that are stored within your account. When you disable this feature, all your account activity will only be saved to the device that you view/save the info on.

To turn off the sync feature in Chrome browser

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. In the webpage bar to the left of the More icon (three vertical dots), click your profile icon.
  3. In the pop-up, click Sync is on.
  4. To the right of your profile icon and your account name, click the Turn off

To turn off the sync feature in Chrome App

  1. In your phone, open the Chrome app.
  2. At the top right, tap the More icon (three vertical dots).
  3. Scroll down and tap Settings.
  4. Under the ‘You and Google’ heading, tap your account name.
  5. Under the ‘In your Google Account’ subheading, toggle off all tabs.

Source: Google Chrome Help for Computer, Android, and iPhone & iPad options

 

Turning Off Web and App Activity

On all Google apps and sites, Google saves information about you such as previous locations and activity on websites to tailor their services to you.

To turn off and delete all of Google’s collected information from you

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Data & privacy.
  5. Under the ‘History settings’ subheading, tap Web & App Activity.
  6. Under the ‘Web & App Activity’ heading, tap the Turn off
  7. In the pop-up menu, tap Turn off and delete activity.

For support: Google Account Help

 

Clearing Your Search History

This setting allows you to clear your search history. Keep in mind that this is not an automatic feature. Every time you would like to clear your search history, you have to manually do so with one of the following platforms. If you would like to keep your search history empty, we recommend you to clear it on a regular basis or set a habit to clear it after each time you search something on Google.

To clear your search history in the Google or Google Chrome App

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Under the ‘More from Google’ heading, tap Search history.
  4. Tap the Delete button to reveal a pop-up menu.
  5. In the pop-up menu, tap your desired timeframe of search history to delete.

To clear your search history in the Chrome browser

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. On the top right, click the More icon (three vertical dots).
  3. In the pop-up menu, click History.
  4. In the additional pop-up, click History.
  5. On the left side bar, click Delete browsing data.
  6. Under the ‘Delete browsing data’ heading, click your desired timeframe of search history to delete (e.g., Last 15 min, Last hour, etc.) and check all types of data you’d like deleted.
  7. Click the Delete data

Source: Google Search Help Erase Google Search History

 

Pausing Your YouTube Watch History

When you watch YouTube videos, it gets saved to your watch history. Keep in mind the videos you have watched before disabling this function will still be saved to your account.

To disable your Google account’s ability to save your future watch history

  1. In your phone, open the Google or Google Chrome App.
  2. On the top right, tap your profile icon.
  3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
  4. Tap Data & privacy.
  5. Under the ‘History settings’ heading, tap YouTube History.
  6. Under the ‘YouTube History’ heading, tap the Turn off
  7. On the bottom right, tap the Pause

Source and for additional support: YouTube Help Manage Watch History

 

If you are experiencing tech abuse, you are not alone. Find support in your community by connecting with a BC Society of Transition Houses Member Program or check out our other safety resources at techsafebc.bcsth.ca.

©BC Society of Transition Houses, Tech Safe BC Project, 2026. We encourage others to share this material, provided BC Society of Transition Houses is acknowledged