How to unlock Android if you forgot your lock password. What to do if you forgot your phone password

06.04.2022

Smartphone lock – effective method protection of personal data. In this case, a hastily installed digital, symbolic or graphic password, easy to forget. To avoid being left without a phone, we suggest you familiarize yourself with several in simple ways unlocking.

Method 1: Enter your Google account login and password

This method is simple, does not require a PC and allows you to save information on an internal storage device. However, in versions of Android 5.0 and higher, some devices do not support this unlocking method.

Entering the password/pattern incorrectly 5 or more times in a row will block the entry and open a dialog box. The system will prompt the owner to enter the login and password used on the Google account on the smartphone, which will allow the lock to be reset. A prerequisite is the availability of mobile or Wi-Fi Internet.

Method 2: Factory reset

The simplest and most radical solution to how to unlock your phone if you forgot your password if the methods listed in the article do not work or are not suitable. The data on the internal storage will be deleted, but the information on the memory card will remain unharmed.

To reset settings you need to go to Recovery mode. To do this, you need to turn off the phone and hold down one of the button combinations below for 10-15 seconds:

  • decrease volume and turn on;
  • increase the volume and turn on;
  • turn on and simultaneously hold down both volume keys;
  • volume down, power on and home button.

After the robot logo appears, select Recovery. If there are no options on the screen, hold down both volume keys. These buttons are used to scroll through items up and down, and the power button is used to select an item. Next, click on “wipe data/factory reset”, and in the next window, confirm the action by selecting “Yes”. After clearing the data, click on “reboot system now” to reboot the phone.

Method 3: deleting data using the Find My Device service

An alternative method that also allows you to remove the lock by complete removal information. Suitable for novice users or those who were unable to enter Recovery mode. To work you will need a computer or mobile device and access to the Internet.

  1. Provide the phone where you want to remove the lock with Internet access.
  2. Go to page service searching for a smartphone. To do this, use a PC or other mobile device.
  3. Log in and wait for the phone's location to be determined.
  4. On the left side of the screen, select “wipe data” and then confirm the action, after which the data clearing will begin.

Method 4: using Dr.fone toolkit – Android Data Recovery

The Dr.fone toolkit utility is a universal set of tools for disabling 4 types of screen locks: digital, character, graphic and fingerprint. The good thing about this method is that it allows you to save data on an internal drive, but requires a computer and Internet access to work. After installing the program, you need to perform a few simple steps:

  1. Launch the program and connect your smartphone to your computer. It is advisable to use the original cable and USB connector on motherboard, if you are using a PC.
  2. Select “Remove screen lock” – Lock Screen Removal. Then confirm the action.
  3. Put your smartphone into Recovery mode and wait for the recovery files to download.
  4. After a few minutes, the screen lock will be removed.

Method 5: Disable picture lock via TWRP Recovery

If a third-party bootloader TWRP Recovery is installed on your smartphone, then the lock is removed through the built-in explorer. This does not require a PC or Internet access, and all data will remain safe.

After transferring the phone to TWRP Recovery, you need:

  1. Click on the “Advanced” button in the main menu.
  2. Open the file manager “File Manager”.
  3. Open the “data” folder, then “system” and delete the 5 files inside: gesture.key, password.key, locksettings.db, locksettings.db-wal and locksettings.db-shm. Removal is carried out one by one using the “Delete” button. To confirm the action, move the slider on the screen to the right. Then click “Back” and do the same operation with the remaining files.
  4. Return to the main recovery mode menu and select reboot the device: “Reboot” – “System”.

It happens that a smartphone user forgets the password for his device. There are several ways to unlock your phone yourself if you have forgotten the password, but you will have to tinker, since the easiest options may not work. Below are instructions for devices running on different operating systems- Android and IOS.

We should start with the fact that if you have a fingerprint lock, you need to configure this function, since there can be only ten fingerprint options for obvious reasons, and there are an infinite number of digital and graphic password variations. This option is very convenient, since the muscle memory of the hands itself will tell you which finger was used for blocking, and you will not have to remove the blocking with more time-consuming operations.

On this moment For modern smartphones There are several ways to remove the lock if the key is forgotten:

  • Smart Lock option;
  • Google user account;
  • appeal to service center;
  • Self-reset to factory settings.

Smart Lock is a feature that makes unlocking easier mobile device and allows you to unlock it when one of the keys (or all) is forgotten. This option is applicable if the option was previously configured.

Through Smart Lock, there are three ways to “smartly” unlock:

  • “Trusted devices” - allows you to bypass the blocking if there are devices nearby with “familiar” Bluetooth. The phone will unlock itself if the third-party smartphone was previously marked in the list as reliable.
  • “Safe places” - unlocking occurs without entering a password if the smartphone is within a specified area.
  • “Face recognition” - removes blocking if front-camera recognizes the face of the smartphone owner. This method will work if the room has good lighting and Android is able to set the features according to the previously specified parameters.

It is important to remember that without first setting up the Smart Lock feature, none of these options will work.

This function has one significant drawback - anyone can unlock the phone using “Unlock by location”.

After repeatedly entering your password incorrectly, whatever it may be, the message “Forgot your password?” will appear at the bottom of the screen. or “Forgot your graphic key?” The inscription may be different depending on the brand of the smartphone. When clicked, an automatic transition to recovery through the account occurs.

Restoring via Google is only possible if an account is linked to the phone. Even if you have forgotten your Google credentials, you can also recover them using Email. To do this, you only need a computer.

  • Using your login and password, log in to your existing account linked to your phone number.

  • After automatic unlocking, go to the phone settings and set new security settings.

In order to do this using this method, you will need to be connected to Wi-Fi.

Another quick and reliable way- this is a call to the brand’s service center. The password reset service is usually not too expensive, but you will have to pay for the operation, since it is not considered a warranty case.

Some phone brands provide additional tools, allowing you to find your phone, lock or unlock it, even format it from a distance if the device is stolen.

If you have forgotten the password or pattern on your Android device, then this is not a reason to panic. There are several quick and easy options to unlock your Android phone or tablet in case you don't remember graphic key or PIN.

Entering Google account information

If your smartphone or tablet has permanent connection By wireless network, then you can solve the problem of bypassing the protection by simply entering email address and password. After 5 unsuccessful attempts unlock the screen, a notification will appear. Click on it, and in the window that appears, enter your Google account user data.

What to do if you forgot your account password Google posts? Follow the procedure for restoring access to your account directly with the help of support.

Unlocking via Hard Reset

When using this method, all personal data will be deleted and the smartphone system will be returned to factory settings (SD card files are not affected). Before performing the procedure, it is advisable to have a backup file from which you can restore user information.

The easiest way to reset is to use the utility that is located in the settings of your device. Since access to the system is blocked, you will have to act through:


Each user action (creating a PIN code, graphic key) is reflected in the system by creating certain files. We can conclude that if you delete password data, you will be able to unlock the device without losing user information.

Many users actually wonder how to unlock Android through a computer. To do this you will need the ADB utility, as well as your gadget connected in USB debugging mode. Follow the following algorithm:


adb shellrm /data/system/gesture.key

rm /data/system/locksettings.db;

rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal;

rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm;

Reflashing the device

If other ways to hack Android are not available to you for some reason, then a. This can be done in several ways:

  • Via a computer using a USB cable;
  • Through Recovery Menu on any Android device. You need to use a computer to download the firmware file directly into the memory of your phone or tablet.

In this case, it will be possible to download not only official firmware, but also various custom options in which the design, protective functions, drivers, utilities, etc. can be changed.

Removing gesture.key (only works for locking with a graphic key)

Unlocking an Android phone or tablet using this method is impossible without Root rights and. If you do not meet these conditions, then choose another method to bypass the protection. The pattern key is reset as follows:


Many of the methods described above are not possible without unlocking the bootloader. By doing this, you will get root rights and will be able to install your own firmware version or custom recovery, so before you crack the Android lock, you need to remove the bootloader protection. It is recommended to do this immediately in order to be fully prepared in situations where you have forgotten your PIN code/pattern.

Unlocking algorithm:


After this, the bootloader activation process starts and appears on the device screen. Wait for the process to complete, and then simply restart your device. Bootloader unlocking is complete. The tips described above are suitable for virtually all occasions, because everyone may have their own problem situation. We hope that our advice will help you quickly and correctly get rid of the problem.

Stop panicking and read five instructions on how to unlock Android if you forgot your password or pattern. Most likely, one of them will help you. The methods are described for smartphones, but for tablets everything is done in the same way.

This method is suitable to unlock an old smartphone released before 2014 inclusive. If so, you most likely have Android version below 4.0. In this case, you can bypass the protection using your Google account. Another condition is that the phone must be able to connect to the Internet (for example, it automatically connects to your home Wi-Fi hotspot). Make sure your smartphone is connected to the Internet.

On the password or pattern entry screen, enter any combination of symbols/gestures five times.

After the fifth attempt to enter an incorrect password, the message “Forgot your password?” should appear on the smartphone screen. or something similar.

Click on this inscription and in the window that appears, enter the username and password for the Google account to which your smartphone is linked. If you don't remember your Google Account password, go to the Google Account recovery page from another device (such as a computer).

Try to recover your account password using one of the five suggested methods (except telephone). If you succeed, enter your login and New Password on a smartphone.

Android will be unlocked. After this you can set a new lock password Android screen or choose another screen protection method. If you have a newer device, read on.

Method 2: Use Smart Lock

This method, on the contrary, is suitable if you have new smartphone- from 2015 and newer. In this case, most likely you have Android 5.0 or older. Starting with this version, the Smart Lock function is available in Android, with which you can try to unlock Android if you forgot your password.

Smart Lock allows you to unlock your phone with three different ways: Trusted devices - unlocking without entering a password occurs if a familiar device is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth.

Safe places - unlocking without entering a password occurs if you are within a specified area - for example, at home.

Face recognition - unlocking without entering a password occurs if Android detects that you are currently holding it in your hands. Do you remember if you set up Smart Lock when you set a password or pattern on your phone? Which unlocking method did you choose?

If you have chosen a trusted device and have Bluetooth turned on on your phone, find the device, turn on Bluetooth on it, and try to connect from it to your smartphone.

If you have chosen a safe location and your phone's GPS is turned on, go to the designated location. Android will unlock as soon as it determines from GPS that your location matches the specified one.

If you choose face recognition, the smartphone will unlock if it sees your face with the camera and compares it with what is stored in its memory. If you haven't set up Smart Lock to unlock Android if you forgot your password, read on.

3. Use the smartphone search service

If you have samsung smartphone, then there is the Find My Mobile website for you, which allows you to find your device and remotely control it, including unlocking it. You may have configured account Samsung, and then you can unlock Android if you forgot your password from your computer. Make sure your smartphone is connected to the Internet.

Visit https://findmymobile.samsung.com/.

Sign in to your account.

Select your locked phone.

In the top right corner, select Unblock. If you have a smartphone from another company, or you have not set up a Samsung account, read on.

4. Use Aroma File Manager

This method is suitable if your phone has an SD memory card and supports Recovery Mode. In order to unlock Android using this method, download the Aroma file manager to your computer from one of the links below: Aroma File Manager 1.80 (stable English version)

Aroma File Manager 2.0 (experimental Russian version) After this, you need to enter recovery mode on your phone. This is done for each smartphone individually, and in order to find out how to do this on yours, enter “smartphone_model recovery mode” in the search and find out how to do it.

After this: Connect your Android smartphone when USB help to the computer.

In most cases, the SD memory card should be detected as a USB drive. Open it in Windows Explorer or any file manager and copy the archive from Aroma File Manager to the root of the map.

If the card is not detected, you can use a frame reader. Nowadays many SD memory cards are sold with it. In addition, you can ask for a small fee to have the file transferred to your card at most mobile phone stores.

When the archive is on the card, enter recovery mode on your smartphone. Select Install update from zip file → Choose zip from /sdcard and specify the path to the archive with Aroma File Manager. The program will install and launch directly in recovery mode.

Go to the program settings and set the Automount all devices on start item.

Exit recovery mode and enter it again. Repeat the action from step 5.

Now, using the program, go to the folder: Data Folder → System Folder and find the file gesture.key or password.key in it. Delete the found file and reboot the device. The smartphone will be unlocked. If this all seems too complicated for you, read on.

5. Do a hard reset (reset to factory settings)

If the safety of data on your smartphone is not particularly important to you, you can simply reset it to factory settings. This is done differently for each phone model, so to be sure, enter “smartphone_model hard reset” in the search and find out how to do it. Turn off your smartphone and remove the memory card from it.

Try pressing and holding one at a time for about 10-15 seconds next buttons: volume down button + power button;

Volume up button + power button;

Volume down button + power button + home button;

Volume down button + volume up button + power button. If one of the combinations is correct, a service menu will appear on the screen. In it, using the volume buttons as up-down buttons, select Recovery, and then the Wipe data/factory reset command. Confirm the reset. Within a few minutes, the phone will be completely returned to the condition in which you bought it. All your data and installed applications will be destroyed! However, this way you will definitely unlock Android if you forgot your password.

When you turn it on, the phone will ask for a login and password for your Google account. Enter them. If you have a relatively new smartphone, then most likely it was synchronizing with Google account And Google Play. So deleted applications can be returned back.