[EricG]

I signed into my test account from google.com page by clicking my avatar then choosing "another account".

After that, I get "protect your account". No recovery phone # but I do have an email. It's reasonable for them to require either one. Support is not going to help someone who can't identify themselves.

Update: When I go into Security Settings, there is a third verify option "security question".

I do have my phone # under Personal Info, but it doesn't transfer to Security.