Quick Answers
If you forgot your Android lock screen password, here are some quick things you can try to get back into your device:
- Try typing your password again slowly and carefully – you may have just typed it wrong initially.
- If you have fingerprint or face unlock set up, you can use that to unlock your device.
- If you have your Google account connected, you can reset your password through the Find My Device feature.
- Performing a factory reset will erase your password and all data, but allow you to access your device again.
- Take your device to a phone repair shop – they may be able to bypass or reset the password.
Confirm You Forgot the Password
Before trying any drastic measures, double check that you have completely forgotten your Android lock screen password. Here are some tips:
- Carefully type your password again – go slow and focus on each character.
- If you have a password hint set up, read it for clues.
- Think back to when you originally set the password – does it contain numbers, special characters, a pattern?
- Go through a mental list of passwords you commonly use and variations of them.
- If you share your device with others, ask them if they know or can guess the password.
If after several very careful attempts you cannot recall the password, it is likely you have completely forgotten it.
Use Alternate Unlock Methods
If your Android device has other unlock methods set up, try using them to bypass the lock screen:
- Fingerprint Unlock: If you registered any fingerprints in your device’s settings, you may be able to unlock your phone by pressing the power button and then placing your finger on the scanner.
- Face Unlock: If you have face unlock enabled, try looking at your phone to unlock it. This uses facial recognition to unlock your device.
- Smart Lock: Smart Lock keeps your device unlocked when connected to trusted locations like home WiFi or when near trusted devices like smartwatches or Bluetooth headsets. If applicable, connect to one of these to unlock.
- Google Account: If your Google account is linked to your device, you may be able to sign in to unlock it as a fallback.
Using one of these alternate unlock methods will allow you to access your device without needing to recall your forgotten main password.
Reset Password Through Find My Device
All modern Android devices have a “Find My Device” feature linked to your Google account that lets you remotely locate, lock, or erase your device if lost or stolen. Conveniently, this tool can also help you reset your forgotten lock screen password:
- On a computer or another mobile device, visit google.com/android/find
- Make sure you are logged in to the Google account that was registered on your locked Android device.
- Your lost device should appear on a map. Click on it.
- Below the map, click the “Lock” button. This will force your device to require your Google account password to unlock.
- Enter a new device password here twice to reset the forgotten lock screen password.
The next time you turn on your Android device, it will prompt you to enter your Google account password or the new password you just reset to unlock it.
Requirements for Find My Device Reset
In order for the Find My Device password reset method to work:
- Your lost Android device must have an active internet connection (WiFi or mobile data).
- You must have your Google account added to the device.
- “Find My Device” must be enabled in the device’s settings.
- The device needs to either currently be turned on, or have been turned on recently (within roughly 24-48 hours).
Factory Reset Your Device
Performing a factory reset will completely erase your forgotten lock screen password on an Android device. Unfortunately, it will also erase all other data, accounts, downloads, and settings. Before resorting to this step, try to back up any data you can:
- If you can still access quick settings by swiping down from the top of the locked screen, turn on USB debugging.
- Connect your device to a computer – you may be prompted on the PC to view the phone’s data to back it up.
- Use a cloud backup service like Google Drive to potentially recover data later.
Once you have backed up what you can, here are the steps to factory reset your Android device:
- Turn your device off completely.
- Press and hold the Power button to turn it back on.
- When the brand logo appears, press and hold the Volume Down button.
- Select “Factory reset” by pressing the Volume buttons to scroll and the Power button to select.
- Confirm the Factory Reset on the next screen.
- Allow your device to reset – this may take several minutes.
- Once complete, you can set up and use your Android device again.
This will completely reset your device to factory settings, including removing your forgotten password, but also all of your data and customizations. Only use this method as a last resort if you cannot reset your password any other way.
Use Android Device Manager
The Android Device Manager is an older version of the Find My Device tool discussed previously. It provides similar password reset capabilities with a few small differences:
- Android Device Manager only works on Android 2.2 and higher.
- It can be accessed as a mobile app or website – google.com/android/devicemanager
- You must know your Google account email and password to use it.
- Allows remote lock and erase, but no location tracking.
If for some reason the Find My Device tool is not working, try resetting your forgotten password through Android Device Manager instead.
Use Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and is a developer tool for managing Android devices from a computer. It can be used to bypass a forgotten lock screen password with the following steps:
- On a PC, install ADB tools and USB drivers for your device.
- Enable USB Debugging in your Android’s developer options menu.
- Connect your device to your computer while powered off.
- Boot your device into Recovery Mode – hold Power + Volume Up + Volume Down simultaneously.
- Open a command prompt/terminal and enter:
adb shell - In the shell, enter:
rm /data/system/gesture.key - Enter:
rm /data/system/locksettings.db - Enter:
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal - Enter:
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm - Reboot your Android device and bypass the lock screen.
This is a complicated process requiring some technical knowledge of ADB, but can be used to reset your password if all else fails. Proceed with caution.
Use a Password Cracking App
There are various third party Android apps that claim the ability to crack or bypass your lock screen password. Some examples include iSmack, PassFab for Android, and Lock Screen Password Recovery. The general process is:
- Download and install the app on another device.
- Connect your locked Android device to the device via USB.
- Allow USB debugging if prompted.
- Run the password app and follow on-screen instructions.
- A list of possible passwords will be generated, allowing you to unlock the device.
These apps have mixed results, limited to certain Android versions and chipsets. Carefully research an app before purchasing a license, and proceed at your own risk. Make sure to completely wipe your device afterwards if sensitive data is present.
Take Device to Repair Shop
As a last resort if you are unable to reset your forgotten Android password through any digital means, seek out a local phone repair shop for assistance. They have a few options for bypassing a lock screen password:
- Chip-off Extraction: The storage chip is carefully removed and connected to a device to read its data and perform a factory reset.
- JTAG Method: The phone’s processor security is bypassed by soldering connection wires to debug points on the logic board.
- Firmware Repair: Manually flash stock Android firmware to fully wipe and restore the device.
These methods require professional skills and equipment. There is also risk of irreparable damage to your device. But repair shops may be able to retrieve your data and reset your device when all other options have been exhausted.
Prevent Forgetting Lock Screen Passwords
To avoid forgetting your Android lock screen password and maintain access to your device, keep these tips in mind:
- Never use an extremely complex or random password you cannot memorize.
- Write your password down on paper and keep it in a safe, secure place in case you forget it.
- Store passwords in a password manager app with strong master password and recovery options enabled.
- Set up a secondary unlock method like fingerprint, face recognition, or your Google account.
- Frequently back up important data to external sources like cloud storage or a computer.
- Ensure Find My Device (or Android Device Manager) is enabled in your settings.
- Avoid constantly changing your password unless you feel it has been compromised.
Setting up multiple fallback options for accessing your device and backing up data can provide peace of mind if you ever do find yourself locked out by a forgotten password.
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your Android device due to a forgotten lock screen password can be incredibly frustrating. But there are a variety of options you can attempt to get back into your device ranging from simple password resets to factory methods. Try safer options like Find My Device and fingerprint unlock first before resorting to data-erasing solutions. And going forward, put protections in place to both prevent forgetting your password while making sure your data is always backed up and recoverable.
