How will you log into your email from a strange computer without your phone. Gmail has required 2-factor auth for a long time.

You have to set up those backup codes and keep them in your wallet or somewhere independent of your phone and in your person at all times.

I get your point, but believe it or not there's more email services than just Gmail

Really, because I’ve been working to move off gmail for 5 years and it’s slim pickings.

I’ve tried fastmail, protonmail, outlook and they all suck. Gmail is probably the only google account I still use.

I like fastmail but any provider worth using is going to have 2FA mandatory so that will be an issue regardless. Gmail was just a (popular) example.

[dead]