When a mobile phone is locked with a passcode, fingerprint, or other security mechanism, only certain people are typically able to bypass the lock and gain access to the contents of the phone. The ability to unlock a locked phone is held by different individuals or organizations depending on the circumstances.
The Phone’s Owner
The person who owns a locked phone and set up the lock screen password or biometric security is usually able to unlock their device. When a phone owner sets up security on their device, whether that’s a 4-digit passcode, complex alphanumeric password, fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or other method, they are establishing a personal means of authenticating themselves and granting access to their own phone.
In day-to-day use, a phone owner unlocks their own device multiple times per day with their passcode or biometric login. Phone owners grant access to friends, family members, or others by sharing their passcode or registering a new fingerprint on the device.
Forgotten Passcodes
Sometimes a phone owner may forget their own passcode, which can prevent them from accessing their device. On iOS devices, the owner can recover access by erasing the device. On Android devices, attempting several wrong passwords will also give an option to factory reset the device.
Disabled Users
For users who are unable to enter passcodes due to disability, iOS and Android include accommodations like face unlock, fingerprint unlock, voice control, and integration with switch controls. This allows differently abled users to unlock their phones with alternatives to passcode entry.
Phone Company Tech Support
Cell phone carriers and manufacturers often have a tech support team dedicated to helping users who are locked out of their phone. If the owner cannot recall their passcode, these tech support agents have several options to assist.
Passcode Reset
Tech support agents can reset passwords associated with the user’s account, allowing them to regain access. This utilizes trusted methods like email, SMS, and security questions to verify the owner’s identity.
Temporary Deactivation
The tech support team can temporarily suspend the passcode on the device without fully resetting it, allowing the owner to set a new passcode. This method preserves the data on the phone.
Full Factory Reset
As a last resort, support agents can factory reset the phone to erase the passcode. However, this also erases all data on the device.
Law Enforcement
Police and other law enforcement personnel may attempt to unlock a locked phone in the course of criminal investigations through legal procedures or by utilizing forensic methods.
Search Warrants
If the phone is relevant to an investigation, law enforcement can obtain a warrant to legally compel the owner to unlock their device or turn over their passcode. Refusal may result in criminal charges.
| OS | Police Unlock Methods |
|---|---|
| iOS | Exploiting weaknesses, brute force passcode guessing, utilizing security flaws and backdoors, device backups, third party forensic software |
| Android | Bypassing lock screens through Android Debug Bridge, bootloader access, overcoming encryption, rooting device, NAND mirroring |
Forensic Unlocking
Law enforcement may use digital forensic tools and methods like brute force guessing passwords, exploiting security vulnerabilities, and mirroring data chips to gain access to locked devices. This is often performed on seized devices without the owner’s consent.
Third Party Unlocking Services
There are many online services that advertise iOS and Android unlocking capabilities for consumers who are locked out of their phones. Services range from $20 to over $100 and employ various unlocking methods.
Legitimate Services
Some third party phone unlocking services use legitimate methods like specialized device reset software, bypassing activation locks, and carrier unblocking techniques. Trustworthy services offer money back guarantees if the phone cannot be unlocked.
Shady Services
However, there are also many scam services that advertise false phone unlocking capabilities, take payment, and then disappear or fail to deliver on unlocking the device. Consumers should be cautious when considering third party phone unlocking services.
Criminals
Criminals like thieves or hackers may attempt to unlock other people’s phones in order to access private data for malicious purposes. Unlocking methods used by criminals can include both technical attacks and social engineering.
Technical Attacks
Criminals may perform brute force password guesses, exploit vulnerabilities in phone software, unlock via data port access, and even directly replace phone components to unlock devices.
Social Engineering
Less technical criminals may use deception and manipulation to trick victims into revealing passcodes or unlocking devices themselves. Examples include posing as authority figures or tech support.
Phone Repair Shops
Mobile phone repair technicians have access to tools, software, parts, and knowledge that may enable them to circumvent security on locked phones during repair work, whether authorized or unauthorized by the owner.
Legitimate Repair Access
In some cases access to locked devices may be necessary for repairs, for example replacing damaged touch screen components that are tied to fingerprint scanners or face recognition. Customers typically provide consent.
Unauthorized Snooping
However, unethical repair techs may take advantage of their access to snoop through customer data and access locked devices outside of necessary repair work. Customers should be cautious with unauthorized shops.
Intelligence Agencies
Government intelligence agencies like the NSA have broad capabilities when it comes to unlocking and accessing digital devices. Agencies utilize sophisticated techniques, zero-day exploits, backdoors, and spying tools to defeat security measures.
Lawful Interception
Intelligence agencies can legally compel technology companies to unlock devices or provide data through warrants and secret court orders. They may also press manufacturers for master keys.
Hacking and Spying Tools
Agencies also reportedly engage in illegal unlocking and covert cell phone hacking to gather intelligence. Tools used include mobile device malware, SS7 network exploits, and encryption backdoors.
The Owner Themselves
While phone unlocking often involves gaining access without the owner’s consent, in many cases the owner themselves performs the unlocking on their own devices. The owner remains the primary person who regularly unlocks their phone for everyday use.
Entering Passcodes/Passwords
Owners unlock their phones dozens of times per day via passcodes. Strong passwords known only to the owner are the primary defense against unauthorized access.
Biometrics
Fingerprint, facial recognition, iris scans, and other biometric mechanisms allow owners exclusive access to their devices while providing convenience over passcode entry.
Responsible Ownership
Responsible owners use secure methods like complex passwords, biometrics, device encryption, find my phone features, and avoidance of software weaknesses to prevent their devices from being illegally unlocked.
Conclusion
Phone unlocking is a complex landscape with many possible actors who have the capability to bypass security under certain conditions. While owners themselves remain the primary day-to-day unlockers for legitimate access to their own devices, many third parties like tech support, police, repair shops, and criminals also have technical means to gain entry illegally or for investigative purposes in specific situations. However, there are many precautions owners can take through strong passcodes, biometrics, software updates, and other means to secure devices from unauthorized unlocking by other parties.
