How to recover your Coinbase account if you lose your password?

Account Recovery Process

1. Navigate to the Coinbase login page and click on the 'Forgot password?' link located beneath the password field.

2. Enter the email address associated with your Coinbase account and complete the CAPTCHA verification.

3. Check your inbox for a password reset email from Coinbase — this message contains a secure, time-limited link.

4. Open the email and click the reset link, which redirects you to a secure Coinbase page where you can enter a new password.

5. Confirm the new password and submit the form. You will be automatically logged in upon successful completion.

Two-Factor Authentication Considerations

1. If you have SMS-based 2FA enabled and no longer have access to that phone number, you must use your backup codes or authenticate via an authenticator app.

2. If Google Authenticator or another TOTP app is configured, open the app and input the six-digit code when prompted during login or recovery.

3. If you previously saved backup codes, enter one of them when asked — each code works only once and must be used carefully.

4. Loss of both your phone and backup codes requires contacting Coinbase Support directly through verified channels.

Email Access Verification

1. Coinbase will not send password reset links to secondary or unverified email addresses — only the primary email on file is eligible.

2. If your primary email is inaccessible, you must prove ownership by submitting government-issued ID and answering security questions tied to your account history.

3. Email providers may filter Coinbase messages into spam or promotions folders — check those locations thoroughly before assuming the email failed to arrive.

4. Using disposable or temporary email domains during sign-up prevents recovery — Coinbase blocks such addresses from initiating resets.

Support Escalation Pathways

1. Submit a support request through the Coinbase Help Center while logged out — select “I can’t access my account” as the issue category.

2. Upload clear, legible images of your ID matching the name and date of birth registered on the account.

3. Provide transaction timestamps or wallet addresses linked to your account to help verify activity patterns.

4. Avoid using third-party chat services or unofficial forums — Coinbase does not offer account recovery assistance outside its official support portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I recover my account if I lost both my password and my 2FA device?A: Yes, but only after completing identity verification through Coinbase’s official support channel. You must provide matching legal identification and historical account details.

Q: Does Coinbase store my password in plain text?A: No. Coinbase uses industry-standard bcrypt hashing and never stores passwords in readable form. This means even internal staff cannot retrieve your original password.

Q: What happens if I enter the wrong email address during password reset?A: The system displays a generic message saying “If this email is associated with an account, a reset link has been sent.” No confirmation is given whether the email exists in their database.

Q: Are hardware wallet credentials affected when resetting a Coinbase account password?A: No. Hardware wallet private keys remain fully offline and are never stored or transmitted by Coinbase. Resetting your Coinbase password does not alter or access those keys.