Updated on 1/26/2023 with current instructions for resetting phones and a new screenshot
If you forget your Android lock screen password, is there a way to unlock your phone? The short answer is no – you will have to factory reset your device to be able to use your phone again. And because all recent versions of Android encrypt the data on your phone by default, there is no way to recover any photos, contacts, or other data that you haven’t backed up to your Google account; they will be gone forever after the reset. However, at least your phone will be unlocked, and you’ll be able to use it again.
There are two ways to factory reset an Android phone if you’ve forgotten the password and can’t get past the lock screen. The first is to use Google’s Find My Device, which allows you to erase your phone online remotely. If you don’t have Find My Device turned on (it should be on by default), you’ll have to use the second method, Android’s “Recovery Mode.”
It’s critical to note that resetting your phone through either of these methods will require you to know your Google account and password that was used to set up the phone. If you don’t have this information, the device will be permanently locked. This security measure is in place to prevent thieves from using your device after factory resetting it.
How to reset your Android phone through Find My Device
- Go to android.com/find. If you’re not already, sign into the Google account that is the main profile on your device. And if you have more than one device, select the phone you want to erase at the top left of the screen.
- Select "Erase device."
- Click the "Erase device" button.
- Follow the steps to set up your phone again – note that you will need to verify the Google account information you originally used to set up the phone in order to proceed with setting up the device.
How to reset your Android phone through Recovery Mode
The steps to enter Recovery Mode varies by manufacturer, but I’ll provide instructions for the major ones below.
How to reset stock Android phones (Google Pixel phones):
- Hold down the Power button to power off your device.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Use the Volume up and Volume down buttons to navigate through the menu options until you get to "Recovery Mode," then press the Power Button to select it.
- You’ll see the words No command.
- Press and hold the Power button, then press the Volume up button.
- A new menu will pop up. Use the Volume buttons to scroll to "Wipe data/factory reset" and use the Power button to select it.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll to "Factory data reset" and press the Power button to select it.
- When the reset is finished, you'll see "Data wipe complete." Using the volume buttons, scroll to and select "Reboot system now" and use the Power button to select it.
How to reset HTC phones:
- Hold down the Power button to power off your device.
- Press and hold the Volume down button, then press the Power button (for some HTC models, it's the volume up button).
- Continue to hold the Volume button until you see a menu.
- Use the Volume buttons to select "Factory reset" and use the Power button to select it.
- If you are prompted to confirm the factory rest, use the Volume buttons to select "Yes" and press the Power button to select.
How to reset Huawei phones:
- Hold down the Power button to power off your device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until your phone goes into Recovery mode. (If your phone doesn't have physical volume buttons, press the Power button five times after the phone vibrates while powering on.)
- Use the Volume buttons or touchscreen to select the option to clear data. If you're using the buttons, use the Power button to select it.
- Use the Volume buttons to select "restore your device to its factory settings" and use the Power button to select it.
- Once your phone is restored to factory settings, you'll see the Recovery screen. Select the option to restart your device.
How to reset Motorola phones:
- Hold down the Power button to power off your device.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button.
- When the boot menu appears, use the Volume buttons to scroll to "Recovery Mode" and use the Power button to select it.
- Select "Factory data reset" using the volume buttons and press the Power button to select it.
- Select "Reboot system now" and press the Power button.
How to reset Samsung phones:
- Power down your phone by waiting for it to run out of battery. (You can't power down your phone when it's locked without inputting your password.)
- For Samsung phones without a Home button or separate Power button (such as the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, Note10, Note20, Fold, and Z Flip), press and hold the Volume up button and side buttons until you feel the device vibrate and you see the Samsung logo. For Samsung phones with a separate Power button (Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S10), press and hold the Volume up button, Power button, and Bixby button until your phone vibrates and goes into Recovery mode. For Samsung phones with a physical Home button (including the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7), Press and hold the Volume up, Home, and Power buttons until your phone vibrates, and then release just the Power button.
- A screen with the recovery menu will appear. When you see this, release the remaining buttons.
- Use the Volume buttons to highlight 'Wipe data/factory reset.' Press the Power button to select. Press the Power button again to select "Yes," "Yes - delete all user data," or "Factory data reset."
Note: Samsung reports that for some devices running Android 11, you will need to connect your phone to power via USB to go into recovery mode.
[Image credit: Josh Kirschner/Techlicious, screenshot via Techlicious]
Josh Kirschner is the co-founder of Techlicious and has been covering consumer tech for more than a decade. Josh started his first company while still in college, a consumer electronics retailer focused on students. His writing has been featured in Today.com, NBC News and Time.
thanks!!!!!!
From Laura Pollard on July 31, 2019 :: 3:30 pm
Thank you so much!!! I was ready to smash the phone with a hammer. It’s my husbands old phone and i had no idea of passwords.
THE FIND YOUR PHONE WORKED!!
THANKS YOU!!
Reply
Thank you for the feedback!
From Josh Kirschner on July 31, 2019 :: 3:51 pm
Glad it was helpful!
Reply
Excellent
From Pamela Mcilroy on April 02, 2020 :: 1:43 am
Thank you so very much for your help in unlocking phone. Mine was a Hueie sorry i haven’t spelt it correctly.
It worked and you are a genius.
I’d been trying to unlock my phone for 2 weeks, checking out the internet and today i hit the jackpot finding your site. I can’t thank you enough.
Pamela
Reply
You're welcome!
From Josh Kirschner on April 02, 2020 :: 1:58 pm
Happy the directions helped you out!
Factory Reset equals Data Theft?
From RMatrix on April 17, 2021 :: 7:51 am
A weird situation happened to me. Somebody did a factory reset on my phone while it was locked with a pin code and face recognition. I’m learning here, but correct me, the phone goes to fastboot. So in that mode someone can steal my data, yes? Can they alter stuff and get passwords and the like. I do not keep super personal info anywhere online except autofill.
Reply
Factory Reset equals Data Theft?
From john powers on May 18, 2021 :: 6:08 pm
No data can be recovered if you lose your locked phone or forget your PIN. All data is encrypted by default.
A reset deletes all personal data unless the person finding your phone also knows your Google account log in details and you also have saved personal info on Google back up,
Thanks
From RMatrix on May 26, 2021 :: 3:35 am
Thank you for your reply.
Won't power off without
From Rogostar Josho on February 22, 2022 :: 11:02 am
a password which I don’t have
Reply
Hi, I have completley forgotten
From nozuko mlata on April 07, 2022 :: 10:46 am
Hi, I have completley forgotten my google verification credentials and have formatted my phone and now cant access my phone. urgently help please
Reply
Heyyy
From Tonyé Vickers on February 25, 2023 :: 7:37 pm
Heyyyy
it doesnt work
From Vanessa Castro on April 25, 2022 :: 1:42 pm
i have the 2021 version of the Motorola and it doesnt work
Reply
It should work
From Josh Kirschner on April 27, 2022 :: 8:44 am
According to Motorola, the process listed in my article is correct. What step are you getting stuck on and what model device do you have?
Samsung j7 crown sm-s7677VL
From Lisla on May 16, 2022 :: 6:11 pm
I have tried. I don’t know if I’m just not waiting long enough or just doesn’t work for my phone???
Reply
unlock password for oppo
From Michelle Ann on November 10, 2022 :: 11:58 pm
Hi. The thing is, I bought a second hand oppo phone and my son played with it and even set up a password. He can’t recall the password. I watched so many videos on how to unlock the password and followed the steps but unfortunately none of it worked. Please help. Thank you.
Reply
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From jerold j paone on February 04, 2023 :: 8:29 pm
i can turn on my phone find my phone don’t work and i forgot password wha do i do
Reply
Restoration problem
From Thomas chambala on May 08, 2023 :: 5:29 am
I’m getting some problems during restoration of my phone i have ail and password but when i put it it concel and write “please use the email of owner’s device”
Reply
No directions
From Ashleyyy on May 25, 2023 :: 12:02 pm
I don’t see directions to do this for my blu phone. .any help?
Reply
CHEATING SPOUSSE
From Frank Howard on May 29, 2022 :: 4:09 pm
The break down of communication is the start of the infidelity. in the case of emotional infidelity where the spouse puts more energy in a new person rather than having a conversation with their partner about their needs,concerns etc.. why is it so difficult for 2 people to communicate their wants, needs, etc.? I also believe with some people they are extremely lazy and hate conflict. They feel they should be continuously entertained and make very little effort on keeping a marriage It was like performing a circus that’s not interesting in my relationship my Husband started portraying this kind of attitude that made me shook my head saying THIS Husband IS REALLY SOMETHING ELSE… I informed a computer geek and he told me about Samsmithcyberhost(AT)gmail,com, I went up to him,i just gave him her username and in 30mins he got me into his account without notifying him and then found out that he was seeing another girl..
Contact him via email:Samsmithcyberhost@gmail.com
whatsapp: +1 (747)345-9036.
tbt
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