A Hacker News user asks how to recover Google authentication after their phone was stolen, leaving them locked out of email, banking, and Google Drive. The user cannot access old recovery emails or phone numbers, and Google's automated recovery options all require the lost device. Commenters suggest getting a replacement SIM card to receive SMS verification codes on a new phone, which may restore access.

One user recounts a similar experience where Google eventually required additional verification on the lost device, but they recovered the phone in time. Others warn that losing a phone number entirely is catastrophic, as whoever inherits the number could access linked accounts. The consensus is to work directly with individual service providers (banks, etc.) rather than relying solely on Google, as they have established identity verification processes.

A commenter recommends using a self-hosted password manager like Vaultwarden as a single master credential that stores 2FA codes and recovery information, accessible with just one master password. The discussion highlights society's fragile dependence on smartphones for authentication and daily functions.