The Lock Screen
Getting locked out of your Android phone can be frustrating, but it’s a common problem with several potential solutions. The lock screen is your first line of defense for securing your device and preventing unauthorized access. However, it can also lead to getting locked out if you forget your password, PIN, or pattern. Fortunately, whether you’ve just forgotten your credentials or have entered them incorrectly too many times, resulting in your device being temporarily locked, there are steps you can take to get back into your phone.
Forgotten Password/PIN/Pattern
If you’ve simply forgotten your password, PIN, or lock pattern, don’t panic. Here are some things you can try:
- Retrace your steps – Think back to the last time you unlocked your phone. Visualizing the pattern or numbers you entered can help jog your memory.
- Muscle memory – Your fingers may instinctively remember the pattern or PIN better than your brain does. Allow your hand to move freely over the lock screen as you try to unlock it.
- Check your hints – Many lock screens provide hints after a certain number of failed attempts that can point you in the right direction.
- Use password manager – If you use a password manager like LastPass or 1Password, you may have the password stored in the app vault which is accessible even when locked out.
With some time and patience, running through these options is often enough to rediscover your lost credentials and access your device again. Just be careful not to exhaust your number of attempts, or your device could become temporarily locked down.
Incorrect Attempts Lockout
If you enter your lock screen credentials incorrectly too many times, Android will lock you out temporarily for a set period of time. This is to prevent brute force hacking attempts. The lockout duration starts small, usually 30 seconds up to a minute, but increases exponentially with each failed attempt after that. Here’s what to do if you trigger the lockout:
- Wait it out – Set a timer and wait out the lockout period, starting with 30 seconds up to 30 minutes for later attempts.
- Restart your phone – For longer lockouts, restarting your device can reset the counter and get you access sooner.
- Remove Google account – On phones running Android Lollipop or later, deleting your primary Google account from the tablet can bypass the lockout.
- Factory reset – As a last resort, wiping your device will remove the lock screen allowing you to access your phone.
The temporary lockout is designed to buy you enough time to recall your credentials or get help accessing your device again. With patience, you’ll regain access once the lockout period ends.
Bypass With Google Account
If you’re running Lollipop or later, one option to bypass the lock screen is removing your primary Google account from the tablet. Here’s how:
- On the lock screen, tap Forgot Pattern or Forgot Password.
- A popup will appear asking for your Google account details to verify your identity.
- Enter your email address and tap NEXT.
- You’ll be prompted to enter your Google account password to confirm your identity.
- Read the warning that this will reset your device and remove encryption.
- Tap REMOVE ACCOUNT.
After a few seconds your phone will reset, bypassing the normal factory reset process. Because your Google account is removed, your lock screen will also be disabled allowing you to freely access your device.
Pros
- Quickly regains access without waiting out a lockout period
- Avoids data loss from a full factory reset
- Doesn’t require extra tools, downloads, or technical knowledge
Cons
- Your Google account will no longer be associated with the device
- You’ll need to reset app preferences and reconfigure certain features
- May not work on older Android versions or non-Google devices
Overall though, this is one of the simplest ways to bypass a lock screen as long as you’re willing to take the hit of unlinking your Google account temporarily.
Bypass with Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and it’s an invaluable tool for advanced troubleshooting and modification of Android devices. Buried in the depths of its functions is also the ability to bypass lock screens. Here’s how it works:
- Enable USB debugging – This is in Developer options and needs to be turned on before getting locked out.
- Install ADB on a computer and connect your phone via USB.
- Open command prompt/terminal and type: adb devices
- Type: adb shell
- Type: rm /data/system/gesture.key
- Type: exit
This will delete your lock screen credentials, disabling the lock and giving you access. A few key points:
- Only works if USB debugging was enabled in settings beforehand.
- Requires a computer and some technical/command line knowledge.
- Typically keeps all your data intact.
ADB is a potent tool for advanced users but requires some setup and tech skills to leverage its capabilities.
Pros
- No data loss
- Works on any Android version
- Preserves your Google account and settings
Cons
- Requires a computer with ADB set up
- Need debugging enabled before getting locked out
- Command line use intimidating for some users
Factory Data Reset
Performing a factory reset through recovery mode is the sledgehammer approach to bypassing lock screens. It will completely erase your phone and return it to factory default settings. While it’s not ideal since you’ll lose your data, it’s a guaranteed way to remove the lock if all else fails.
The steps vary slightly by device, but generally involve:
- Power off your phone.
- Hold Volume Up + Power to enter recovery mode.
- Use volume keys to select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”.
- Confirm factory reset on next screen.
- Select “Reboot System Now” to restart your cleared device.
With the slate wiped, your lock screen will be removed allowing you to set up the phone from scratch and access it again. Use this method as a last resort since you’ll lose everything.
Pros:
- Guaranteed to remove any lock screen
- Works on any Android phone
- No extra tools or downloads required
Cons:
- Permanently erases all your data
- Time consuming to restore apps and settings
- May not be able to reset if custom recovery installed
Unlock With Google Find My Device
If your phone has an active internet connection, you can use Google’s Find My Device service to unlock it remotely. Just head to android.com/find on any browser and sign in to your Google account. You’ll see all your linked devices.
Select your locked phone, then choose to “Unlock” or “Erase” it. Unlock will bypass your lock screen immediately with no data loss, while erase will factory reset your phone if you need to go that route.
The one catch is that Find My Device needs to have been enabled on your phone ahead of time for remote unlock to work. As long as it’s set up though, this is an easy and effective way to regain access.
Pros:
- Remotely unlocks without data loss
- Easy to do from any web browser
- No extra tools or technical knowledge required
Cons:
- Requires Find My Device to be enabled in advance
- Phone must have internet connection
- Only works with Google accounts
Unlock With Device Manager Apps
There are various third party apps available that can help you unlock your Android device as well. Here are some top options:
Lock Screen Removal Apps
Apps like Lock Screen Removal Free and iToolab UnlockGo specialize in bypassing lock screens. They do this by rebooting your phone into recovery or download modes to reset passwords, PINs, and patterns. The process varies by app but generally involves:
- Download and install app on computer.
- Connect phone via USB and select unlock option.
- Allow any drivers or USB debugging access requests.
- Let the app bypass security and reset lock screen.
These apps simplify the unlock process without needing to do manual factory resets or command line ADB access. As long as your device is compatible, they provide an easy DIY solution.
Pros:
- Easy to use unlock interface
- Usually keeps data intact
- Works on many Android versions
Cons:
- Need to download to desktop
- May not support all devices
- Some apps have free trial limits
Contact Manufacturer or Carrier
If all else fails and you absolutely need to regain access to your locked Android device without losing data, contacting the manufacturer or your carrier is a last resort option. Customer service agents often have special tools or knowledge to help bypass or reset lock screens while preserving data.
Be prepared to verify your identity and ownership of the device. Have your IMEI number, receipts/proof of purchase, account information, and ID ready. Patience is key as this process can be time consuming depending on wait times and representative availability.
While not an ideal solution since it relies on external help, for rare situations where you need urgent access without data loss, your carrier or device OEM may be able to assist where DIY options have failed.
Pros:
- Preserves personal data
- Professional technical support
- Direct access to internal unlock tools
Cons:
- Slow and time consuming
- Limited availability of experts
- Results not guaranteed
Prevent Future Lock Outs
While getting locked out can be a frustrating experience, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid finding yourself in this situation again:
- Use a password manager – Helps you create and store strong unique passwords.
- Enable Google Find My Device – Allows you to remotely unlock in the future.
- Set up lock screen hints – Provides clues if you forget your credentials.
- Add a fingerprint – Provides quick unlock as a backup.
- Write down your password – Old school but effective as a last resort.
- Enable USB debugging – Allows you to use ADB for advanced unlocking.
Setting up redundancies like hints, biometrics, password manager backups, and remote unlocking services can help mitigate you from getting locked out down the road.
Conclusion
Getting locked out of your Android can happen to anyone. The next time you find yourself locked out, don’t panic. Run through your options starting with simpler methods like retracing your steps, trying muscle memory, or using password manager access. If you’re stuck in a repeated attempts lockout, wait it out, restart your phone, or remove your Google account to bypass security.
For advanced cases, ADB and Find My Device unlock provide data safe options. Third party lock screen removers and contacting your OEM provide additional alternatives. And finally factory resetting will always work when everything else fails. Implement some of the preventative measures outlined as well to help avoid future lockouts. Just know that with the right technique and some persistence, you can always regain access to your valuable data, even if you get locked out.