Google announced yet another way to gain access to your account if you get locked out, forget your password, or don’t have access to the phone, computer, or two-factor authentication apps you typically use. As the name implies, selfie video lets you capture a short video of your face on a mobile device or PC, which is then compared to an earlier video that Google keeps on file to confirm you’re the account owner.
Setting up the selfie video feature simply requires you to look at your device’s camera and follow a series of onscreen 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 for added 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 where it was created. You can delete it at any time through your account, and while by default the saved selfie video is only used to help you sign in, Google says you can also “opt to share it for additional purposes.”
Logging in to your account has you capturing another short video of your face performing simple movements to prove it’s being recorded live and so it can be accurately compared to the stored reference video. Multiple layers of security are used to prevent impersonation attempts using photos or deepfake videos, Google says, along with the company’s “standard security practices” to prevent suspicious sign-in attempts from succeeding.
Google will gradually be introducing the feature to users through a phased global rollout, but you can check if your account is eligible and set up your selfie video at g.co/signin-selfie.