Having a locked phone with a forgotten password can be a frustrating situation for any smartphone user. Thankfully, there are several options available to access your locked device even without knowing the correct password.
Try Entering Common Passwords
As a first step, try entering some common passwords you may have used, such as:
- Your name
- Birthday or anniversary date
- 1234 or 0000
- The last 4 digits of your phone number
- Any other passwords you commonly use for other accounts
Sometimes simply trying obvious passwords that are easy to remember can unlock your phone. If you know you tend to use passwords associated with personal information, go through and methodically test combinations of things like significant dates, addresses, names of family members, pets, etc.
Attempt Pattern or PIN Unlocking
If you enabled a pattern or PIN code instead of a full password, try drawing your usual pattern or entering your PIN. Pattern codes involve connecting dots in a specific order, while a PIN is typically a 4 to 6 digit numeric code. Even if you generally use a password, check if a pattern or PIN was set up as a secondary option.
Use Password Manager Apps
If you have a password manager app like LastPass or 1Password installed, open it and see if the password for your locked phone was saved there. The password manager may be able to autofill the credentials for you once unlocked. This would require having set up the app and saved the phone password previously.
Reset From a Trusted Computer
Connecting your locked phone to a trusted computer you’ve synced with before can provide a password reset option. Depending on the phone model and computer OS, options may include:
- Using iTunes (for iPhone) or Finder (for newer iPhones) if connecting to a Mac
- Using Samsung Smart Switch on a Windows PC for Samsung Galaxy phones
- Using the Android Device Manager web interface if you added a Google account to your Android phone
Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password once connected. This method does require having previously set up syncing with that computer.
Factory Reset the Phone
Performing a factory reset will wipe the phone and restore it to default factory settings, allowing you to access it again. While it means losing your data, apps, and settings, it can be your last resort to regain access. The steps vary by phone model but often involve some combination of:
- Booting into recovery mode or download mode
- Using hardware button combinations
- Connecting to a computer
- Using a reset option in the bootloader/fastboot menu
Be sure to look up the specific steps required for your make and model of phone. Factory reset will only work if no additional lock screen protections beyond a password were enabled.
Contact Your Cell Provider
For cell phones tied to a carrier account, contacting customer support may offer additional options. Most carriers can temporarily unlock a phone remotely after verifying your identity. This would allow you to bypass the password and reset it.
Carriers may also have their own password recovery tools and guides for many popular devices. Account holders can typically request a device unlock by providing information like the phone number, account holder name, billing zip code, or other details.
Use Find My Device Services
Google’s Find My Device and Apple’s Find My can both bypass screen locks and help you recover password-protected phones. These require having previously set up and enabled the services on your phone and your account.
On Find My Device, you can reset, unlock, or fully wipe the phone after signing in to your Google account. Apple’s Find My provides a similar lost mode and ability to erase the contents remotely.
Contact the Device Manufacturer
As a last resort, you may be able to work with the original device manufacturer to unlock the phone. Contact their customer support with your phone details and proof of ownership. In some cases they can provide a password reset solution specific to that model.
This would require providing identifying details only the owner would know, such as the device IMEI number, serial number, or receipt of purchase. The manufacturer would also confirm the device is not stolen or associated with any other accounts before assisting.
Avoid Losing Your Password
Once you regain access, be sure to learn from the experience! Follow these tips to avoid finding yourself locked out again:
- Write down your password in a safe, hidden location in case you forget it.
- Use a password manager app to generate and store secure passwords.
- Set up a secondary unlock option like a PIN code or pattern.
- Create an account with the device manufacturer for added password recovery options.
- Enable Find My Device or Find My services to allow remote unlocking.
Losing your password doesn’t have to mean losing access to your phone permanently. With various password recovery and phone unlocking options, you can usually find a way to regain access and continue using your device.
Summary of Options
Here is a quick summary of possible solutions to try if you are locked out of your password protected phone:
| Method | How It Works | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Try common passwords | Input dates, names, numbers, and other easy to remember passwords you may have used | Only works if you used an easy, guessable password |
| Attempt pattern or PIN | Draw your usual pattern or enter your PIN code | Requires having set up a pattern or PIN previously |
| Use a password manager | Retrieve your saved password from an app like LastPass or 1Password | The app must already be installed and contain your password |
| Reset from a trusted computer | Use syncing software like iTunes or Smart Switch to reset | Only works on a PC the phone has synced with before |
| Factory reset | Wipes the phone and restores factory settings | Causes data loss but allows access without password |
| Contact cell provider | Carrier unlocks phone remotely after verifying your identity | Only applies to carrier-locked phones on an active account |
| Use Find My services | Remotely reset and unlock the phone | Requires Find My Device or Find My to be enabled beforehand |
| Contact device manufacturer | Manufacturer assists with password reset after verifying ownership | Need identifying details like IMEI number and proof of purchase |
Conclusion
Being locked out of your password protected phone can be stressful, but in most cases you can regain access without totally losing the device. Try the various password recovery techniques step-by-step until you are able to unlock your phone. Record your password in a safe place for the future and enable secondary authentication methods.