Sharing this because it was helpful for some of our recruiters. Where there are, dot space coms, just remove the spaces.
That sounds like the Google "Your encrypted data is locked on this device" error (the message usually says something like: "For security, you can no longer access your encrypted data on this device. Try again using a device you’ve recently used to sign in to your Google Account. Visit g. co/OnDeviceEncryption to learn more.").
This is a security feature for on-device encryption in Google Password Manager, passkeys, Maps Timeline backups, Chrome sync, etc. The encryption key is tied to your recent sign-ins, screen lock, or trusted devices—so Google locks it if it detects something like a new/reset phone, password change, factory reset, screen replacement, or too many sign-in attempts.
g. co
It’s annoying but fixable. Here’s the quickest way to resolve it:1. Use a trusted/recently signed-in device first (this is the #1 fix)Grab a computer, laptop, tablet, or old phone where you signed into your Google account successfully in the last few days/weeks (without this error).
Sign in fully there (Chrome, Gmail, etc.).
On that device:Go to myaccount. google. com/security → Review recent activity and make sure recovery email/phone are up to date.
Open Chrome → Click the three dots → Help → Safety check (or go to chrome://settings/safetyCheck) → Run it and fix anything under Passwords.
android.stackexchange. com
Visit passwords. google. com — you should be able to view/manage passwords here.
2. On your problematic device (phone/tablet)Restart it.
Open Chrome (or the app showing the error, like Passwords/Maps/Gmail) → Try signing in again.
If still stuck:Go to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services Chrome Google → Storage → Clear cache (then Clear data if needed, but sign back in after).
Update all Google apps your phone’s OS.
3. If it’s specifically passwords/passkeysOn the trusted device: Go to chrome://password-manager/settings → “Change Google Password Manager PIN” or re-authenticate with screen lock.
Try using a saved password/passkey on a site — it should prompt for the PIN and unlock everything.
Last-resort options (if nothing works)Reset on-device encryption (deletes your locally encrypted passwords/passkeys from Google’s servers — you’ll have to re-save them):Go to passwords. google. com/encryption/reset → Turn off → Confirm.
g. co
Or clear Chrome sync data: chrome .google. com/sync → Clear data (then re-enable sync).
Wait it out (up to 60 days in rare password-reset cases) while using the trusted device.
This usually clears up within minutes once you authenticate on a trusted device.
Let me know if...