Ask HN: Locked out of Google despite knowing password and having email access

A user knows their Google account password but is locked out because two-factor verification codes are sent to a phone number they no longer control. They previously saw an option to fill in missing digits of that number, but it no longer appears. Despite being able to send and receive Gmail through a third‑party Android email app, they cannot sign into the Google account elsewhere. The account is old, never had a recovery email configured, and hasn’t been used outside the email app for a long time.

They’ve tried recovery from multiple devices, networks, and with VPNs without success. Google’s help text suggests a verification code can be sent to the account’s email if inbox access exists through a third‑party client, but that option never appeared in the flow. After repeated attempts they reached a step requesting an alternate email, verified a code to that address, and then were told to reply to a Google support contact - information they don’t have. They located a Hacker News instance where a Google employee escalated a nearly identical case but can’t follow up there, and they’re asking how to obtain a similar escalation or any other way to regain account access.