How to disable the digital lock code on Android: all methods

The digital lock code on Android is the first barrier between your personal data and strangers. But what to do if the PIN code or password is no longer needed? Perhaps you are selling your phone, giving it to relatives, or are simply tired of entering the combination every time. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to disable the digital code on smartphones running Android 10–14, including features for brands Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor and others.

It is important to understand: the procedure differs depending on is a Google account registered on the device and is the Smart Lock function activated. Also, some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) add their own layers of protection, which require special attention. We will consider both standard methods through the settings, as well as alternative options for cases when the password is forgotten or the system does not accept it.

If you plan to completely reset the protection before selling the phone, do not skip the section about secure data deletion — this will save you from the risk of leakage of personal information.

1. Standard disabling of the digital code through the settings

The most obvious and safest way is to use the phone settings menu. This method is suitable if you remember the current PIN code or password and have access to the device.

The instructions are relevant for most smartphones on a clean Android (for example, Google Pixel, Motorola) and devices with shells One UI (Samsung), MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco), Magic UI (Honor). The path may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same.

• 📱 Open the application Settings (gear on the main screen or in the application menu).
• 🔒 Go to the section Security or Lock screen (on some devices - Biometrics and security).
• 🔢 Select item Type screen lock or Password/PIN/Pattern.
• 📝 Enter the current lock code to confirm.
• ❌ On the next screen, select the option No or Swipe (swipe).

After this, the phone will no longer require you to enter a digital code when unlocking Please note: if the device is configured biometric. authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition), it will also have to be disabled separately - the system will not allow you to leave biometrics without a backup PIN code.

Remember your current PIN/password|Make sure your phone is charged (>20%)|Disable the VPN (may block Google account verification)|Check your Internet connection (required for some methods)

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2. Disabling the code through your Google account (if you forgot your password)

If you forgot your digital number code, but the phone is linked to the account Google, you can try to reset the blocking through the company's services. This method works on devices with Android 4.4–9.0. On newer versions (starting from Android 10), the function Find My Device only allows you to remotely block or erase data, but not reset. PIN.

Here's how to do it:

1. Go to the site google.com/android/find from a computer or another phone.
2. Login using the same account Googlethat is linked to the blocked device.
3. Select your smartphone in the list of devices.
4. Click Lock device (yes, block, not erase!).
5. Enter a new temporary password (for example, 123456) and confirm.
6. On a locked phone, enter this temporary password - it will replace the old PIN.
7. Now go to settings and disable the lock code in the standard way (see section 1).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10+ this method will not work to reset PIN. Google has removed this option due to security vulnerabilities. In this case, the only option is a full reset via Recovery Mode (see section 4).

If you have a phone Samsung, try service Samsung Find My Mobile —it sometimes allows you to unlock the device even on new versions of Android. To do this:

1. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com.
2. Login using your account Samsung.
3. Select the device and click Unlock.

3. Using Smart Lock to automatically disable the code

Smart Lock is an Android feature that allows you to disable the screen lock in certain conditions (for example, when you are at home or connected to a trusted device via Bluetooth). If you have it set up, you can temporarily bypass entering the PIN code and then disable it completely.

How to works:

• 🏠 Trusted places: The phone unlocks automatically when you are at home or at work (detected by GPS).
• 🔗 Trusted devices: Unlocks when connected to specific gadgets (for example, a smart watch or car).
• 👤 Face/voice recognition: An outdated method, but some devices still support it.

To disable the code via Smart Lock:

1. Activate the condition under which the phone unlocks automatically (for example, connect a trusted Bluetooth device).
2. When the screen unlocks without entering a PIN, quickly go to Settings → Security → Smart Lock.
3. Enter your current password (if required) and turn off all Smart Lock conditions.
4. Return to lock settings screen and select No.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI 12+) Smart Lock may be hidden in the menu Additional settings → Security and privacy. If you don’t find it, use search. settings.

Yes, trusted places|Yes, trusted devices|No, I don’t trust|I don’t know what it is|Disabled due to bugs

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4. Resetting the code via Recovery Mode (complete data clearing)

If you have forgotten your PIN code and the previous methods did not work, there is a radical way - hard reset via Recovery ModeThis will delete all data from the phone, including applications, photos and settings, but will restore access to the device.

The instructions are suitable for most smartphones, but the combination of buttons to enter Recovery may differ:

Brand	Combination to enter Recovery	Notes
Samsung	Volume up + Power + Bixby (hold for 10 sec)	On new models (Galaxy S22+), you may need to connect to a PC
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Volume up + Power	On some models, you must first turn off the phone, then hold down the buttons
Google Pixel	Volume down + Power (select from the menu Recovery Mode)	Confirmation via the volume button will be required
Honor/Huawei	Volume Up + Power (hold for 15 sec)	On devices with EMUI 12+ an unlock code may be required

After logging in Recovery Mode:

1. Use the Volume buttons to navigate and the Power button to select.
2. Select item Wipe data/factory reset.
3. Confirm the action (Yes).
4. After the reset, select Reboot system now.

Important: On devices with a chip Qualcomm (most flagships), after a hard reset you may need to enter your Google account data, which was tied to the phone (FRP protection). If you do not remember the login/password, it will be impossible to unlock the phone without special tools.

What to do if after resetting the phone asks for the old PIN?

This is a security feature FRP (Factory Reset Protection)To bypass it, you will need:

1. Enter the details of the Google account that was on the phone before the reset.

2. If you don’t remember, use tools like FRP Bypass APK (requires technical skills).

3. Samsung connecting to Wi-Fi and then entering a random password 16 times helps (the system offers an alternative login method).

5. Disabling the code via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have it enabled USB debugging and have access to your computer, you can remove the digital code using the commands ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method does not lead to data loss, but requires preliminary preparation.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers ADB i Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Number assembly — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm trust in the device.
2. Open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   Your phone's serial number should be displayed.

4. Run the command to remove the PIN code:

   adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
   adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
   adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

5. Reboot your phone:

   adb reboot

After rebooting, the lock code will be reset. If this method does not work, try an alternative command:

adb shell su -c "rm /data/system/gesture.key"

(required root access).

⚠️ Attention: Method c ADB does not work on all devices. Manufacturers like Xiaomi block such manipulations at the firmware level. Also, after updating Android, files with blocking settings may be stored in another location. Huawei block such manipulations at the firmware level. Also, after updating Android, files with blocking settings may be stored in a different location.

6. Honor

Each manufacturer makes its own adjustments to the Android security system. Let's consider the nuances for popular brands.

Samsung (One UI)

On devices Samsung with One UI 5.0+ (for example, Galaxy S23, Galaxy A54) when the PIN code is disabled, the system can require:

• 📱 Entering the account password Samsung (if it is linked).
• 🔒 Confirmation via Samsung Pass (if biometrics is configured).
• 📶 Connect to Internet to check the license Knox.

If you forgot the code and Find My Mobile does not help, try the service mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power + Bixby until the logo appears.
3. In the menu, select Wipe data/factory resetbut instead press Wipe cache partition (sometimes this resets temporary locks).

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI)

On MIUI 14 and Newer, disabling the lock code may be hidden behind additional confirmations:

• 🔐 Required to enter an account password Mi (even if you did not use it).
• 📡 An Internet connection is required to check the status of the device.
• ⚙️ In some regions (for example, China), the function of disabling the code is blocked at the firmware level.

If after resetting via Recovery the phone asks for an old account Mi, try:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Enter any password 5 times in a row - sometimes a button appears Forgot your password?.
3. Use the official tool Mi Unlock Tool (requires waiting 72-168 hours).

Honor/Huawei (Magic UI/EMUI)

On devices Honor s Magic UI 7.0+ and Huawei s EMUI 12+ there are strict restrictions:

• 🔗 Binding to Huawei ID is required for disabling the code.
• 🔒 The function Find My Device from Huawei does not allow you to reset the PIN remotely.
• 📱 After 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter the code, the phone is blocked for 24 hours.

The only reliable way to unlock is to contact the service center with proof of purchase. Self-reset via Recovery will lead to activation FRPwhich is almost impossible to bypass without official tools.

7. How to avoid problems when disabling the blocking code

Disabling the digital code can lead to unexpected consequences, especially if the phone is used for work or is tied to corporate services:

• 💼 Corporate devices: If the phone is controlled via Android Enterprise or Samsung Knox, the administrator can block the code from being disabled. An attempt to bypass this will lead to remote blocking of the device.
• 🏦 Banking applications: Many banks (for example, Sberbank, Tinkoff) require a PIN code or biometrics to work. After disabling the code, they can block access until the protection is reconfigured.
• 🔄 System updates: On some devices (for example Pixel), after major Android updates, the lock code is reset to the factory one (0000 or 1234). Check this before selling your phone.

To minimize risks:

1. Before disabling the code create a backup copy via Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Make sure that there is no important work data on the phone If you use (for example, access to corporate mail).
3. If you use Samsung Pay or Google Pay, delete cards in advance - after resetting the code they will be blocked.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about disabling the code on Android

Can I disable the lock code if I forgot the pattern key?

Yes, but the methods depend on the version of Android:

• On Android 4.4–9.0: use a Google account (see section 2).
• On Android 10+: only hard reset via Recovery Mode (section 4), but this will delete all data.

On some devices Samsung after 5 unsuccessful attempts, a button appears Forgot your pattern key? —it allows you to enter a backup PIN.

Why, after disabling the code, does the phone ask for it again?

This can happen for several reasons:

• 🔄 The security policy is enabled on the phone (for example, through Knox or Android Enterprise).
• 📱 The parental control application is installed (for example, Google Family Link).
• 🔒 The function is activated Remote control via Find My Device.

Check the security settings and remove device administrators in Settings → Security → Device Administrators.

How to disable the lock code on Android without losing data?

There are two reliable method:

1. If you remember the code: use standard shutdown through settings (section 1).
2. If there is root access: delete files locksettings.db and gesture.key via ADB or a file manager with superuser rights (section 5).

All other methods (for example, through Recovery) will lead to data deletion.

What to do if, after resetting via Recovery, the phone asks for an account Google?

This is FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection). You can bypass it like this:

• 📧 Enter the details of the Google account that was on the phone before the reset.
• 🔧 If you don’t remember, use official tools like FRP Bypass APK (requires downloading via OTG cable).
• 📞 On Samsung sometimes connecting to Wi-Fi and repeatedly entering any password helps (after 16 attempts an alternative method appears login).

On devices Huawei/Honor after 2019, it is almost impossible to bypass FRP without account data.

Is it possible to disable the lock code on a corporate phone?

No, if the phone is controlled via MDM (Mobile Device Management). The administrator can:

• 🔒 Block code disabling.
• 📱 Remotely erase data when attempting to bypass.
• 🚫 Disable access to security settings.

Contact your company's IT department to unlock it.