Google now lets you sign in to your account using a selfie video

Google has announced another way to access your account if your account is locked, you forgot your password, or you can’t access your phone, computer, or two-factor authentication apps you usually use. As the name suggests, Selfie video It lets you take a short video of your face on a mobile device or PC, which is then compared to a previous video that Google keeps on file to confirm that you’re the account owner.

Set up the selfie video feature It simply requires you to look at your device’s camera and follow a series of on-screen prompts that guide you through simple head movements to ensure multiple angles of your face are captured. It’s similar to the setup procedures for security features like Apple’s Face ID, but without the need to add an infrared light.

Google says the reference video is “recorded and securely stored” in the cloud using encryption, making it accessible to more than just the device it was created on. You can delete it at any time through your account, and while your saved personal video is used by default only to help you sign in, Google says you can also “choose to share it for additional purposes.”

When you log in to your account, you can take another short video of your face performing simple movements to prove that it is being recorded live and can therefore be accurately compared to the stored reference video. Google says multiple layers of security are used to prevent impersonation attempts using fake photos or videos, along with the company’s “standard security practices” to prevent suspicious login attempts from succeeding.

Google will gradually introduce this feature to users through a gradual global rollout, but you can check if your account is eligible and set up your selfie video at g.co/signin-selfie.