How to Get Into a Locked Android Phone If You Forgot the Password

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Unlock your Android device if you've forgotten your password
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This wikiHow teaches you how to unlock your Android if you don't know the lock screen passcode or pattern. There are a few ways to do this, ranging from using Find My Device to unlock your Android to factory resetting your Android. Keep in mind that you will need to know your Google account's email address and password in order to log back into your Android if you factory reset it.

How to Get Into a Locked Android

If you're locked out of your Android, you can only factory reset it to get back in. If your phone is on, connected to the internet, and uses Find Hub, you can reset it remotely from Google's Find Hub. You can also press physical buttons on your Android to use Recovery Mode to reset it.

Section 1 of 4:

Resetting from a Computer

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  1. 1
    Open Google's Find Hub on a computer. You can factory reset your phone without having it in your hands by going to www.google.com/android/find/. Alternatively, use someone else’s Android and navigate to this site, then sign in to your Google account. You can also use the Find Hub app on another Android device.
    • Sign in if you haven't already.
    • Factory resetting your phone is the only option to get back into your Android, and it means the phone is erased, and every account is logged out. You'll be able to recover all that data, however, as long as you created a backup with Google .
    • This only works if the following is true:
      • The phone is on, is connected to Wi-Fi or data, is logged into the same Google account, has Find Hub enabled, and is visible on the Google Play Store.
  2. 2
    Select your Android from the list of devices. On the Find Hub website, you’ll see a map with a list of your active devices on the left side. Click your Android to select it.
    • If you don’t see any devices, make sure you have the Devices tab selected (instead of People ).
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  3. 3
    Select Settings . A menu of options will open. [1]
  4. 4
    Click Factory Reset (device name) . A window will pop up that outlines what happens. A factory reset means:
    • All the data on the Android will be permanently erased.
    • The device will no longer appear in Find Hub once the factory reset is complete.
    • The device will reset as soon as it connects to the internet, Wi-Fi or data.
      • Click Next to continue.
  5. 5
    Verify it's you. Enter your Google password, then click Next.
  6. 6
    Click Reset . If your phone is logged in, you'll see the map pinpoint the location behind the same pop-up window that lets you know what a factory reset entails.
    • Clicking Reset will reset the phone to factory settings, but you'll be able to use it again. [2]
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Section 2 of 4:

Resetting with the Buttons

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  1. Every Android has its own combination of buttons that must be pressed in order to open the recovery menu; checking your Android's manual or online documentation should help you find this combination.
    • For example, to get a Samsung phone into recovery mode, turn it off, then press the Volume Up and Side buttons until you see the Samsung logo. Release the buttons and press Volume Up once as the Recovery menu opens.
    • Know what this method entails. Factory resetting your Android will remove all settings—including your lock screen password—along with any contact and app information from your Android. Unfortunately, if your data isn't backed up, you won't be able to recover the information deleted by the factory reset.
  2. Once the recovery menu appears, use the Volume Down button to scroll down to the Recovery mode option, then press the Power button to select it.
    • If you don't see Recovery mode , skip this step.
    • See the next step if you're instead met with a "No command" screen.
  3. If you're on a Pixel Android, press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time until the recovery screen opens. [3]
  4. Scroll down to highlight this option, then press the Power button. [4]
  5. It's in the middle of the screen. Doing so will prompt your Android to begin factory resetting. [5]
  6. Your Android should take under 10 minutes to completely erase.
  7. Once your Android finishes restarting, you can set it up as though it were a new phone or tablet.
    • This will usually include selecting a language and a Wi-Fi network.
  8. When prompted, enter the email address and the password for the Google account with which you were previously signed into your Android.
    • If you don't know the password for your Google account, use a computer to recover it before proceeding.
  9. After logging into your Google account, you can proceed with setting up the rest of your Android.
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Section 3 of 4:

Unlock an Older Android with Gmail

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  1. 1
    Try to unlock the phone at least 5 times. After the fifth attempt, you'll get a pop-up window that gives you the option to continue with "Forgot Pattern."
    • You can't do this with updated versions of the OS. Your phone must have Android software 4.4 or lower in Settings > About Phone.
  2. 2
    Tap Forgot Pattern and Next . Forgot pattern is at the bottom of the screen, and Next will appear in the pop-up.
  3. 3
    Tap Enter Google account details and Next . When you select "Enter Google account details," a check mark will appear next to it.
  4. 4
    Enter your Google account information. You'll need to use the Google email and password you are logged in with.
    • Tap Sign in when you're done. [6]
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Section 4 of 4:

Don't Get Locked Out Again

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  1. 1
    Try a PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint, or Face ID. These are the default security measures on your phone.
    • If you have multiple security measures set up in advance, you can use any of them to unlock your Android.
    • For example, if you have Face ID set up but there isn't enough light for your camera to read your face, you can also enter your PIN or swipe a pattern instead .
    • Having multiple security measures in place will help you get back into your locked Android should you not be able to unlock it. [7]
  2. 2
    Use Smart Lock with a trusted device. Newer phones (those running at least Android 5.0) have a feature called Smart Lock.
    • Being near a trusted device (like a computer) or within a GPS area will cause the phone to unlock without you needing to input a password. [8]
    • To set up Smart Lock and use it, go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and choose the right settings for you.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What do I do if I can't access my Google account or my password has been changed?
    Community Answer
    You'll need to go through the Google account recovery process. You can fill out the form on Google's recovery options page . If Google is able to verify your identity, you will be able to reset your Google password and log back into your device.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 31
  • Question
    Is it possible to unlock an Android using a computer?
    Community Answer
    You can turn off the screen lock using ADB if you have previously connected your Android to your computer and allowed it to work with ADB. You cannot unlock your phone using a PC if you have not previously done this.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 22 Helpful 44
  • Question
    How can I factory reset a locked phone?
    Community Answer
    If you can't access the phone, you can try a factory reset by putting the device into Recovery Mode. Turn off the phone and then press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons. This will launch Recovery Mode, which you can use to factory reset the device.
    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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      Warnings

      • Many third-party applications claim they can unlock your phone if you forgot the password, but with Google's updated FRP protection, this is highly unlikely, and you might end up paying to use a tool that can't help you.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about smartphones, check out our in-depth interview with Henry Paris .

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/6160491?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/6160491?sjid=9062158746387281027-NC#zippy=,erase-reset-or-remove-your-device
      3. ↑ https://www.androidcentral.com/how-factory-reset-android-phone
      4. ↑ Henry Paris. Electronic Repair Expert. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ Henry Paris. Electronic Repair Expert. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/7663172?hl=en#zippy=,reset-your-pattern-android-or-lower-only
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9079129?hl=en
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075927?hl=en

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to https://www.google.com/android/find?u=0 on a computer.
      2. Sign in.
      3. Click your Android.
      4. Click Lock .
      5. Enter a new password.
      6. Click Lock .
      7. Unlock your Android with the new password.

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