To do the CAPTCHA reset, visit Google’s CAPTCHA reset page and log in with your username and password. I learned about it when I worked at the Apple Store, and I don’t know how anyone could know it exists without the benefit of really nerdy friends. I’m happy to be able to share it with you.

Gmail has a little-known fix called a CAPTCHA reset that momentarily unlocks some of Google’s security features to allow new devices to connect to Gmail. (Hopefully, they’re all you!)Īfter you tell Google that it was indeed you who tried to sign in to your account, your email should begin to load on your iPhone or iPad. You’ll be able to see all of the recent devices that have tried to sign into your account, and unblock the ones that were you. Review Your Recent Devices On Google’s WebsiteĮven if you didn’t get an email about a blocked sign-in attempt, it’s a good idea to visit the section called Device activity & notifications on Google’s My Account website. Tap the tiny “mobile Gmail site” link at the bottom of the screen.Īfter you log in, look for an alert box or email in your inbox that says something like, “Someone has your password” or “We blocked a sign-in attempt.” If you a box or email like that, click on the link inside called “Review Your Devices Now”, “That Was Me”, or similar-the exact language changes often.Ģ. If you’re using an iPhone, you may see a popup that asks you to download an app-but now’s not the time. Open Safari, Chrome, or another internet browser, go to, and enter your email address and password.

We need to visit the Gmail website to get a better idea of what’s going on, because the Mail app on your iPhone or iPad can’t give you any details about why you can’t sign in. Use a computer if you can (it’s easier to navigate the Gmail website with a larger screen), but this process will work on iPhone and iPad too. Visit The Gmail Website And Check For Alerts If you know you’re entering your Gmail password correctly and you still can’t get your mail, here’s what to do: 1. Even if you’re not on vacation, Gmail can block sign-in attempts for all sorts of reasons. My dad didn’t even know that was a possibility, but Apple Store employees see it happen all the time. Google saw that he was trying to connect from a new location and blocked the sign-in attempt because it assumed that someone was trying to hack into his email account. It worked perfectly before he left, so why not now? The answer is this: My dad was recently on vacation and he called me as soon as he arrived because his email stopped loading on his iPad. The problem isn’t with the security itself-it’s that the lack of explanations leave iPhone users completely in the dark.

Why does gmail keep closing