If you’ve forgotten the password to get into your Android phone, don’t panic – there are a few different ways you can try to recover or reset it. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps for the most common options to help you get back into your device.
Check your password manager
If you use a password manager app like LastPass or 1Password, check there first. These apps securely store all your passwords, so if you’ve saved your Android password in your manager, you can simply open the app and find it there.
To check your password manager:
- Open your password manager app on another device you’re logged into, like your computer.
- Search for the password to your Android phone.
- If you find it, copy or note down the password so you can use it to unlock your Android device.
If you don’t use a password manager or can’t find your Android password saved in the one you use, move on to the next options.
Try fingerprint or face unlock
If you set up a fingerprint or face unlock on your Android device, try using that to get in. These biometric unlock methods don’t rely on you remembering a password.
To try biometric unlock:
- Press the power button to wake your Android phone’s lock screen.
- Look for the fingerprint or face icon and touch the sensor or hold your phone in front of your face to scan.
- If your biometric information is recognized, your phone should unlock.
If you don’t have fingerprint or face unlock set up, or it’s not working to get you into your device, you’ll need to move on to resetting your password.
Reset password with your Google account
If your Android phone is linked to your Google account, you can use Google’s tools to reset the device password remotely.
Here’s how to reset your password with your Google account:
- On a computer, go to android.com/find.
- Sign in to your Google account that is linked to your Android device.
- Select your Android phone from the list of devices.
- Choose “Erase device” or “Reset password.”
- Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your password. This will erase some data from your phone.
- Once complete, you’ll be able to set a new password to access your device.
Resetting your password with a Google account works for any Android running version 5.0 or later. Just keep in mind it will erase all locally saved data, so be sure your important files are backed up.
Reset password from recovery mode
If your phone isn’t linked to a Google account, isn’t running version 5.0 or higher, or remote reset isn’t working, you can reset the password directly on the device by rebooting into recovery mode.
Here are the basic steps to reset your password from recovery mode (will vary slightly by device):
- Turn your Android phone off completely.
- Press and hold the Power button + Volume down button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- Use the volume keys to scroll and select “Wipe data/factory reset.”
- Select “Wipe data.”
- Press the Power button to restart your device.
- When it powers back on, you’ll be walked through setting up your phone from scratch, including making a new password.
Using recovery mode to reset your password will erase all data on your phone, so be prepared to reinstall apps and restore backups after setting up your device again.
Access password through Google Dashboard
If you’re unable to reset your Android’s password with any of the above options, there is one last way to potentially recover it – the Google Dashboard.
If your Android device is linked to a Google account, its password may be saved in your Google Dashboard. Here’s how to check:
- On a computer, go to myaccount.google.com/dashboard.
- Make sure you’re signed in to the Google account linked to your Android device.
- Under “Security,” select “App passwords.”
- Look for an app password saved for your Android device and select “More actions” > “Details.”
- This will reveal your full Android device password if Google has it stored.
Accessing your Android password this way is hit or miss – Google doesn’t always have it saved. But it’s worth a look if you have no other options to get back into your locked device.
Prevent future lockouts
Once you successfully recover your lost Android password, avoid future lockouts by taking these steps:
- Set up a password manager: Save your password in a dedicated app like LastPass so you always have access to it.
- Enable alternate unlock methods: Set up fingerprint unlock, face recognition, or a PIN as a backup way to access your phone.
- Make sure Google account is linked: Link your Android to your Google account so you can use Google tools to reset your password remotely if needed.
- Write it down: Jot your password down somewhere safe in case you forget it again.
Losing access to your Android phone can be stressful. Hopefully the options covered here help you quickly regain access so you can get back to using your device.
Summary of how to find your Android password
Here’s a quick rundown of the ways to find or reset your forgotten Android password:
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Check password manager | Open the password manager app on another device and find your Android password there |
| Use biometric unlock | Use your fingerprint or face scan to unlock your Android if you have it set up |
| Google account reset | Remotely reset your Android’s password through your linked Google account |
| Recovery mode reset | Erase and reset your device by rebooting into recovery mode |
| Google Dashboard | Check your Google Dashboard to see if your Android password is saved there |
Regaining access to your locked Android may take a few tries using different strategies, but the options above should help you eventually succeed and get your device unlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my Android phone won’t turn on at all?
If your phone won’t power on, the issue is likely a dead battery or other hardware problem unrelated to the password. Try charging it for at least 30 minutes using the charger that came with your phone. If it still won’t turn on, you may need to take it to a repair shop for diagnosis of the hardware issue.
How can I view saved passwords on Android?
If you’ve saved passwords within apps on your Android device, open the Settings app and go to either Accounts > Autofill accounts, or System > Autofill app to view and manage your saved passwords. You’ll need your device unlock password to access these settings. Alternatively, a password manager app also allows you to view your saved passwords.
What if I don’t have a Google account on my Android phone?
If your device isn’t linked to a Google account, the remote password reset options won’t work. Your options are to either reset your password from recovery mode, or take it to a phone repair shop where they may be able to get past the lock screen. Linking your next Android device to a Google account makes it much easier to recover and reset passwords.
Can factory reset delete password?
Yes, doing a factory reset from recovery mode will erase all data including your current password. It will allow you to set a new password when reinitializing the device. Just make sure anything important is backed up first.
How can I recover my pattern lock?
If you’ve set a pattern lock on your Android device, you can recover it using your linked Google account to reset your screen lock method. Go to android.com/find, sign in, select your device, and choose the “reset lock” option. Alternatively, reboot to recovery mode and do a factory reset to erase your pattern lock and all other data.
Conclusion
Forgotten passwords happen to all of us. Hopefully after reading this guide, you now understand the various options to recover your Android phone’s password so you can get back to using your mobile device. The key takeaways are:
- Use a password manager or Google Dashboard to view a saved password
- Enable biometric unlocks as a backup
- Link your Android to a Google account for remote resets
- Erase your device from recovery mode to start fresh
- Take preventative measures so it doesn’t happen again
Armed with this knowledge, a lost Android password doesn’t have to mean losing access to your important device and data. Retrieve your password using one of the techniques outlined and you’ll be back up and running in no time.