A PIN, pattern, or password forms the basic security level for any Android device. Even if you use a fingerprint lock, a PIN has to be provided for backup security.
There is a high probability that you might forget your PIN. Consequently, you won't be able to use your device immediately. In this article, we will see ways of getting out of such troublesome circumstances.
So, no need to panic anymore. Just follow these steps to resolve the issue quickly -
Steps to Follow when You Forget Your Pin
Use Google’s "Find My Device" Option
Resort to this option only when you have backed up all your data, or if you do not have any issue if the stored data is lost. "Find My Device" works with Android 5.0 or later. Make sure that you know your Google account's email ID and password.
Also, the device should not be switched off and has to be connected to the internet for using this feature. Earlier, it allowed users to alter the PIN. However, today this is no longer possible. All you can do is opt for erasing the data on the device and set up a new PIN.
Steps for Using the "Find My Device" Feature
- 1Open your laptop or some other device and type "Find My Device" in Google.
- 2Login to your Google account.
- 3Generally, the device which you are currently using is selected. Yet, if there is more than one device registered with your email ID, you will get an option to choose. Select the device whose PIN you have forgotten by clicking the name and icon in the page's left corner.
- 4Choose the “Erase Device” option on the left. Enter the Google account details if prompted. Then, the data will be wiped after which you can set up a new PIN.
What If You Forgot Your Google Account Credentials?
As we have already seen, you need to know your Google account credentials for proceeding with the Find My Device option. If you don't remember these credentials, then go to the Google Account Recovery website using your desktop or laptop and follow the steps prompted by it.
Samsung Device Users
To use this option, Samsung mobile phone owners have to create a Samsung account and activate the “Find My Mobile” option while setting up the device. Use this device to unlock your Samsung phone remotely in case you happen to forget the password.
For using this option, you should remember your Samsung account's email ID and password. Also, make sure that the device is connected to the internet before trying the following steps:
- 1Open the "Find My Mobile" website on any device such as a laptop or desktop. Log into your Samsung account in the device.
- 2In the upper left corner, you can find your current device along with the phone number. Go through the options appearing on the right-hand side and choose the unlock device option.
- 3Now, just enter the Samsung account password for unlocking your phone/device remotely.
For Devices with Android Kitkat 4.4 or Older Versions
It is easier to unlock the device in this case. The steps are:
- 1When you are unable to enter the right PIN in the first five attempts, a prompt saying Forget password/pattern/ PIN will appear. Click on it.
- 2Then you have to enter your Google account's email ID and password for changing the PIN, pattern, or password to get instant access.
Factory Reset
You can do this by visiting the menu of recovery mode to erase all the data on your phone. This should be your last resort. In case there is an SD card in your device, switch off the device and remove the card before opting for this step. This will prevent these existing files from being overwritten.
The recovery mode options vary in different devices. However, the standard options include rebooting the system, applying updates from ADB, wiping the cache partition, and “Factory Reset” option.
Phones with Android 5.1 and later generally come with an FRP or “Factory Reset Protection” which is turned on by default. This prevents anyone from stealing your device.
Therefore, when you attempt to erase device data, you will be prompted to provide your Google account details. Once this is done, again, you will need to enter the credentials.
Unlocking Using Smart Lock Feature
This feature in Android devices helps you to set conditions so you can bypass the lock screen. You can find this feature under the “Security & Location” option in Settings. To make alterations to this feature, just enter your current password.
After that, enter five possible ways of unlocking the device without using a password, which is as explained below:
Ways of Unlocking for Devices Other than Samsung
The ways which we will discuss now can also be used for those devices with newer Android versions. But, make sure that you are careful while trying the hacks enumerated here because they may mess up your device.
Using ADB(Android Debug Bridge) for Deleting the PIN File
Android Debug Bridge is a utility that enables you to access the files on your phone using your laptop or desktop. By doing so, you can remove the file which controls the lock screen security. Prerequisites for this hack to work.
- 1Your phone's USB debugging option must be enabled. It is possible only if you have ever checked the “Developer Options” panel in Settings.
- 2Connect your computer with the phone through ADB.
- 3This cannot be used in newer Android versions as all of them are encrypted.
Suppose all the above conditions are met, you can proceed with the following step.
- 1Use the USB cable to connect your phone to the computer.
- 2The Command Prompt or Terminal window needs to be opened to the ADB installation directory.
- 3Then, in the ADB shell, you should type rm/data/system/gesture.key and press enter.
- 4The device needs a reboot after this since you will find that the lock screen does not appear anymore. As this is a temporary hack, make sure to reset your password or pattern before you attempt to perform the reboot again.
Crashing the Lock Screen
When you own an Android device with 5.0 to 5.1.1, this method can be used. It works on specific devices only. So, you can try it on your phone and see if it works by following the steps mentioned below.
- 1Click on the emergency call button appearing in the lock screen of the phone.
- 2Type asterisks ten times using the dialer and copy it by tapping this twice for highlighting it. Copy this next to the selected characters.
- 3Repeat this multiple times in the password space until you are no longer able to do it. This will happen when double-tapping will no longer highlight the characters.
- 4Open the camera shortcut. After, you have to open the notification shade by pulling it down.
- 5Click on the settings icon to get a prompt for entering the password.
- 6Paste the characters by long-pressing to get options in the input field. Repeat this process until you reach a point when the lock screen crashes. Thus, you will get access to your device.
Using Dr Fone Screen Unlock for Android
This is a cross-platform software for recovering files that are lost from your Android device. It can also be used to unlock your phone, even when you have forgotten your device. You can recover messages, call history, pictures, videos, audios, and contacts with this tool.
This software is compatible with various Android phone brands such as Sony, LG, Motorola, Lenovo, HTC, Samsung, etc. Its best part is that it works on rooted as well as unrooted Android devices.
It is easy as well as a cost-effective option and can be used by anyone even if they do not have any technical knowledge. Here are the steps for removing the PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint using this tool.
- 1Use your computer for installing Dr Fone- Android Lock Screen Removal. Launch it.
- 2Choose the "Screen Unlock" option directly. Connect with the phone that has been locked and select the "Unlock Android screen" option on the program window.
- 3Follow the prompts appearing on the screen for setting your phone to download mode. To do this, switch off the phone first. Then, simultaneously press volume down, home, and power buttons. Finally, keep pressing the volume up button till you enter the download mode.
- 4The download mode will be detected and the recovery package will be downloaded in a few minutes.
- 5The lock screen password will be successfully removed after the download of the recovery package is complete. Confirm if your device still has a screen lock to make sure that the data is safe and secure.
Precautions to Be Followed to Prevent Similar Circumstances in the Future
When you urgently need your phone but forget the password, it will be problematic for you. So, here are a few tips to prevent this in the future.
Conclusion
These are undoubtedly the best ways to unlock your phone if you forget your PIN or password. Still, our phones have a lot of vital information and we can't afford to lose them these days. Hence, it is always recommended to stay safe by following the precautions.
