3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet

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Learn how you can get back into your Android tablet when it's locked
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Did you forget your PIN or passcode to get into your Android tablet? Fortunately, there are a few tricks that you can use to get back into a locked tablet. This wikiHow article teaches how to unlock your Android tablet when you've forgotten the lock screen PIN, pattern, or passcode.

Unlocking an Android Tablet without the Password

  • Use Find My with your Google account to reset your Android tablet remotely and reset the PIN or passcode.
  • Factory-reset your tablet in Recovery Mode to unlock it without the PIN.
  • Tablets running older versions of Android can use a Google account to unlock the Lock Screen.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Resetting with Google Find My

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  1. Go to https://android.com/find . This only works if your tablet is connected to a Google account and has Find My enabled. If you use this technique, you can reset your tablet remotely.
    • If you aren't logged in, you'll be prompted to log in with your Google account.
  2. You'll see a list of all the phones and tablets connected to your Google account that have Find My enabled.
    • Click your tablet to see more options.
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  3. Unfortunately, the site does not offer to unlock the tablet, but erasing it will also erase any PINs or passwords it has set up. [1]
    • Once your tablet is erased, you can reboot it and set up a new PIN or passcode.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Performing a Factory Reset

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  1. If you can't unlock your device, your only option is to perform a factory reset. This will remove the passcode and erase all of the data on your tablet. You can restore all of your emails, purchases, app downloads, and settings by logging in again after resetting.
  2. This will turn off your Android.
  3. You'll be booting into Recovery Mode. The button combination for entering this mode may vary for your device.
  4. For many devices, this will boot you into the Recovery Mode launcher.
  5. If the Start menu does not appear and your device boots normally, you may need to use a different button combination to enter Recovery Mode. Search online for "recovery mode" + your Android tablet model.
  6. The Volume Up and Volume Down buttons will cycle through menu options.
  7. The Power button will select the highlighted menu option.
  8. Use the Volume Down button to highlight it and the Power button to select it.
  9. This will begin the reset process, which will delete all of your data.
  10. This may take 20-30 minutes.
  11. After the tablet finishes resetting, you'll be taken through the setup process you went through when you purchased it. During this process, you'll be able to log in with your Google account and restore your purchases and settings.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Unlocking Android 4.4 and Older Tablets

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  1. If you're using a tablet running Android 4.4 or earlier, you can use a built-in bypass mechanism to unlock your tablet.
    • This was removed in Android 5.0 (Lollipop). Newer Androids don't have the option to unlock their tablet with a Google account , so you'll have to try other methods to unlock it .
    • This method requires that your tablet be connected to a wireless network .
  2. If this button doesn't appear after 5 incorrect attempts, your device does not support this method.
  3. Make sure this is the same Google account that you are signed in with on your tablet.
  5. You'll receive an email asking you to reset your passcode information.
  6. It may be in the Updates tab.
  7. This will take you to a form to create a new unlock code.
  8. Create a new PIN, password , or pattern. This will be your new temporary unlock sequence.
  9. The tablet may take a few minutes to update with the new unlock method.
  10. Once you've unlocked the device, set a new code or pattern from the Lock Screen menu in the Settings app. [2]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    I bought a Samsung galaxy active 2 tablet off a friend but it's got his Google account with his password still. it won't let me factory reset it. how can I get past this and set up my new account 🤔
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.
    Darlene Antonelli, MA
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    You need your friend to remove the device from their Google account. Either they can unlock the tablet and go to "Accounts" and remove the Google account, or they can go to their Google account using any web browser on any computer or phone or another tablet and remove that Samsung from their account. Unfortunately, it's an expensive paperweight for you as you cannot use the tablet without your friend removing it from their Google account. (The only other option is for you to get access to their Google account and do either of the options listed here)
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 15
  • Question
    What is the button combo for a factory reset on a Samsung tablet?
    Community Answer
    With the device off, press and hold the "Volume Up," "Home" and "Power" buttons. Release the buttons when you see the recovery screen and the Samsung logo. Use the volume buttons to navigate the menu and select "wipe data / factory reset." Press "Home" to choose the highlighted selection.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 40 Helpful 54
  • Question
    How do I get past the PIN when I bought a tablet that has a PIN lock?
    Community Answer
    Press and hold the power key, tap restart (if you need the PIN to shut off the tablet). And as soon as the screen turns completely off (no screen, no backlighting), then press and hold power, turn the volume up and wait till you see the Android utility screen.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Plenty of third-party services offer the ability to unlock your tablet, but these run the risk of giving your computer or tablet malware or malicious code.
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      • On many Android devices, there is simply no way to access the device if the screen lock PIN or pattern was forgotten without deleting all the data. This is a security measure to prevent the theft of your data if your tablet is stolen.
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      • If you're locked out of an Android phone, you can try a few things to unlock it without resetting it .
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/6160491
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7663172?hl=en

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