It is advisable to always use a PIN, password or face scan as a security measure to protect your Android phone or tablet from unauthorized access, regardless of the model in use. What can you do when you forget your unlock Android code?
Can’t access your phone anymore? Forgot your Android code? Don’t panic! Since at 90% you searched for “Forgotten Android Code” on Google, you can’t remember your unlock, PIN or password and you can’t log in to your phone.
But don’t worry, all is not lost. While the lock screens are deliberately difficult to overcome, I show you a couple of potential solutions to get around the problem to unlock Android.
Forgot Android code: Find My Device
The most immediate solution that comes to mind is to use Find My Device (formerly Android Device Manager), the app that allows you to keep your data always safe and locate your device remotely at any time. You will only have to log in to your Google account (it will only work on the most modern devices) but you can access this service from any device you want.
If the service has detected your Android phone or tablet for which you have forgotten the code, click on the second button on the left: “Block”. You will then be asked to enter a new password that will replace the current lock method on the phone. Click on the LOCK button again to confirm the new code.
If Find my device is not detecting your device, update the page several times. In the end, you are certain that he will be able to geolocate it. You can also try a hard refresh (CTRL + F5) which also clears the cache.
The “Forgot Sign” function
If you use a version not very recent of Android, or 4.4 or earlier, you can use the “Forgot Sign” function. If you have attempted to unlock your mobile phone more than 5 times, a message will appear.
At the bottom right of the screen, you will see the “Did you forget the sign?” Button. Click on it. Then enter the details of your Google account and the new unlock code will be sent to you by e-mail.
Forgotten Android code: Factory data reset
This solution, in the case of forgotten Android code on the phone, is a fairly drastic measure. But if you’ve backed up recently and the data left on your phone isn’t viable, a factory reset is a good solution to solve your problem.
To complete this step, as it is very delicate, you will need the information from your Google account.
The exact procedure for a total data recovery will vary slightly from phone to phone, so check your model carefully. You will need to access the Android bootloader menu, and then go to recovery mode. At that point, look for the “clear data / factory reset” item.
It is at this point that you will be asked to enter your Google account information.
Quick guide to perform a total recovery based on your smartphone model
If you need to restore Android from a phone that doesn’t start up, you’ll have to turn it off completely and turn it back on in Recovery mode. Keep in mind that you have to hold down the keys until the Android logo appears.
Each device has a different combination of keys for switching on in recovery mode.
- Nexus 7, Nexus 5 and the like press: volume up + volume down + power button
- Motorola Droid X press: home + power button
- HTC One: volume down + power button
- Camera key devices: volume up + camera
In the bootloader menu, you can move thanks to the volume up and volume down keys to scroll through the options. If you click instead, the selected option is activated on the power button.
Look for the “Recovery Mode” item to view the recovery menu. Still using the volume keys, select the wipe data / factory reset option and then click on yes to confirm.
The device will be restored to its factory state and all data inside it, including installed applications, will be deleted. Remember that the / SD Card (internal storage space) is not affected by the procedure and also the contents of any removable SD cards will be left intact.
For the Samsung Galaxy series, the procedure is different:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Home button (the bottom button) and the UP volume button simultaneously and hold them down.
- Without releasing the two home and volume keys, also press the power button until the phone vibrates.
- Then release all the buttons until you see a recovery console on the screen with the figure of a robot being repaired.
- In the menu choose “Wipe Data / Factory Reset” and press “Yes” with the power button.
- Wait for the phone to restart until the same menu reappears, from which this time press, “Reboot system now”.
Forgot Android code: Factory data reset on Android device ALREADY UNLOCKED
- Open the Settings app of the device.
- Touch System > Restore. If necessary, enter the PIN, the sequence or the password.
- Note: if the settings are different, tap Backup and Restore.
- Tap Factory data reset > Reset phone or Reset tablet. If necessary, enter the PIN, the sequence or the password.
- Touch “Clear All” to clear all data from the device’s internal memory.
- When the device has finished deleting, select the option to restart it.
- Configure the device and restore the data you backed up.