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If you lose access to your two-factor authentication credentials, you can use your recovery codes, or another recovery option, to regain access to your account. I can help you understand what options are available to you. Are you having trouble with two-factor authentication (2FA), or something else?
I'm having trouble signing in with 2FA
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Let's troubleshoot or review your recovery options. You should note that recovering access to your account is something that you can do without our help. For security reasons, GitHub Support cannot help you bypass two-factor authentication. I can guide you through the process, but you'll need to complete the steps yourself.
I understand
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To begin, what is the username of the account? If you're not sure, try these methods for remembering your username.
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Sorry, I don't understand that input. Please try again.
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To begin, what is the username of the account? If you're not sure, try these methods for remembering your username.
myname
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What is the primary email address associated with the account?
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Enter that address even if you can't access it right now. Ensure you're providing the right email address; we won't check if it is associated with an account.
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Do you have access to that email, or a backup email address associated with the account?
Yes, I have access to one of those email addresses
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Do you know the account password?
Yes, I know my password
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Okay. What do you see after entering your password?
I'm asked for my 2FA credentials (e.g. app or SMS code)
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What issue are you having when prompted for your 2FA credentials?
None of my 2FA methods are available right now
None of my 2FA methods are available right now
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You can use a passkey to sign in, if one is already setup on the account. Passkeys can be used instead of a 2FA code. To learn more, see Signing in with a passkey in the GitHub Docs.
I can't use a passkey
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Okay. You can use your recovery codes to regain access to your account.
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When you set up 2FA, we provided you with a set of recovery codes that we encouraged you to keep in a safe place. You may have saved your recovery codes to a password manager or your computer's Downloads folder. The default filename for recovery codes is github-recovery-codes.txt. If you find them, you can use them to access the account.
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Were you able to use a recovery code?
No, I cannot find my recovery codes
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A recovery code may be your only way to recover access to the account. We'd strongly suggest trying to find them. Check the device you enabled 2FA on, just to be sure.
I still can't find my recovery codes
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As a last resort, you can try requesting a reset. Unlike account recovery codes, the ability to request a reset depends on whether or not you have used certain access methods recently, such as a verified device, SSH key, or personal access token, and whether or not you can provide evidence of this.
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GitHub Support can't check this or submit a request for you. You'll need to try the requesting a reset yourself.
I'm ready to try requesting a reset
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Navigate to Sign in to GitHub and type your username and password to prompt authentication.
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Under "Having problems?", click Recover your account or unlink an email address.
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Follow the steps to request a reset. You will need to provide a one-time code sent to your email address and a recovery verification factor.
All the recovery verification factors are greyed out/unavailable
All the recovery verification factors are greyed out/unavailable
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If you are unable to submit a recovery request, and you do not have a recovery code, the account is unrecoverable.
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Per our Account Recovery Policy, GitHub Support cannot help you access an account with 2FA enabled if you don't have the correct credentials.
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In this situation, you may be able to disconnect any email addresses associated with the account. This will allow you to create a new account with the same email address(es).
I'd like to disconnect my email
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As it sounds like you know your password, you can disconnect your email address now. To get started, read read Unlinking your email address from a locked account in the GitHub Docs.
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You can re-use any email addresses you disconnect with a new or existing GitHub account.
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Linking a previously used commit email address to a new account will connect your commit history to that account. Those commits may be eligble to appear in the contribution graph of that account, provided other eligibility criteria is met.
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Other content from the account, including repositories, Gists, access permissions, and the account username, are not transferrable to a different account.
I still need help with something else
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What are you having trouble with?
Something else
Something else
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Let's put you in touch with our Support team who can help you further.
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Requests to disable 2FA on an account will receive a response from our Support team, but they will not be actioned. Per our Account Recovery Policy, GitHub Support cannot help you access an account with 2FA enabled if you don't have the correct credentials.
Contact Support
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Head to Help with your GitHub account - GitHub Support to get in touch with us. This link is customized for you.