How to remove a password from Android without losing data: proven methods in 2026

Forgot your pattern key or PIN code from your smartphone? The situation is familiar to many: the phone is blocked after several unsuccessful entry attempts, but important data - photos, contacts, messages - remains inside. Reset the password on Android without losing data possible, but requires strict adherence to instructions and an understanding of the risks. In this article we will look at 5 official and unofficial methodsthat work on most devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Google Pixel and other brands.

Important: not all methods are universal. Efficiency depends on the version Android (from 5.0 Lollipop to 14), device model and the presence of root access. If the phone is linked to an account Google or Mi Account, the chances of success are higher. And now - to the point.

1. Unlocking via Google account (for Android 4.4 and older)

The easiest method is to use a linked account Google. It works on devices from Android 4.4 KitKat to 7.0 Nougat, but on new versions (starting from 8.0 Oreo) this method is often disabled by default.

If, after 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password, the button "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your graphic key?" appears on the screen, you are in luck. Click on it and enter the data from the account Googlethat was linked to the phone. The system will prompt you to create a new PIN or graphic key.

• 🔹 Works on: Samsung Galaxy S5/S6, LG G3/G4, Sony Xperia Z3 and other devices from 2014–2016.
• ❌ Does not work on: smartphones with Android 8.0+, if the manufacturer removed this function (for example, Xiaomi after an update MIUI 10).
• ⚠️ Limitation: Internet connection required (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Huawei and Honor after resetting the password via Google you may need to re-authorize in applications (for example, in WhatsApp or banking services).

If there is no button, try entering any password 5-10 times in a row. On some firmware this will prompt you to enter data "Forgot your password?" no, try entering any password 5-10 times in a row. On some firmware this will prompt you to enter data Google. Please note that after repeated unsuccessful attempts, the phone may be locked for 30 seconds.

2. Using the Find My Device function

Service "Find device" from Google allows you not only to track phone, but also reset lock password. The method works if:

• 📱 The device is turned on and connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 Function "Find device" activated in settings (Settings → Google → Security → Find device).
• 🔑 You remember the account details Googlelinked to the phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to the website google.com/android/find from a computer or another phone.
2. Login using the same account Googleas on the locked device.
3. Select your smartphone from the list of devices.
4. Click "Lock device" (yes, exactly block, not erase!).
5. Enter a new temporary password (for example, 123456) and confirm.
6. On a locked phone, enter this temporary password - the device will be unlocked.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Samsung s One UI 5.0+ this method may not work due to additional protection Samsung Knox. In this case, try the method with ADB (section 4).

The advantage of the method: does not require resetting the settings and works even on new versions Android 13/14. The disadvantage is that you need to remember the data Google and have access to another device with the Internet.

3. Unlocking via Mi Account (for Xiaomi smartphones)

Owners Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO are luckier: the company provides an official way to reset the password through your account Mi Account. This method works even on the latest versions MIUI 14 and does not require resetting data.

Instructions:

1. Go to the page account.xiaomi.com from your computer.
2. Login using your own Mi Account (the same as the one associated with the phone).
3. Select the tab "Find device" (Find Device).
4. Click "Unlock device" (Unlock Device).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
6. Wait for a notification on your phone - it will unlock automatically.

If this method does not work, try an alternative:

• 🔧 Enter any password 5 times in a row until the message appears "Forgot your password?".
• 📱 Click on it and select "Unlock via Mi Account".
• 🔑 Enter your account details - the phone will be unlocked.

Xiaomi model	Supports unlocking via Mi Account	Notes
Redmi Note 10/11/12	✅ Yes	Works on MIUI 12–14
POCO X3/X4/X5	✅ Yes	Internet connection required
Xiaomi 12/13/14	⚠️ Partially	Confirmation via SMS may be required
Redmi 9A/9C	✅ Yes	Works even without the Internet (via SMS)

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Xiaomi after unlocking via Mi Account reset protection may work (Factory Reset Protection). In this case, you will need to re-enter your account data after a reboot.

4. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

If the previous methods did not work, and your phone has USB debugging (USB Debuggingenabled, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is suitable for devices with Android 5.0–11.0 and requires a computer.

Conditions:

• 🖥️ Drivers for your phone and ADB.
• 🔌 USB debugging was enabled before blocking.
• 📦 The phone has permissions ADB (even without root).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key
rm /data/system/password.key
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
reboot

3. After rebooting, the phone will unlock without a password.

If the commands did not work, try an alternative option (for Android 10+):

adb shell
am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric
input text 1234
input keyevent 66

This command tries to set a new PIN 1234 programmatically.

Install drivers for your phone model|Download ADB Tools from the official Google website|Enable USB debugging (if the phone is not already locked)|Prepare an original USB cable (do not damage the connector!)

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⚠️ Attention: The Android 12+ Google tightened the protection, and ADB-commands may not work. In this case, only methods with a full reset remain (section 6).

Critical: if USB debugging was not done. is enabled in advance, this method will not work. Do not try to activate it on a locked phone - this is impossible without resetting.

5. Bypassing the lock via Safe Mode (for some firmware)

Some firmware (for example, on Samsung or LG) disable third-party blocking applications via Safe Mode. This works if the password is set not by the system, but by a third-party application (for example, AppLock or Norton App Lock).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (hold down the power button).
2. Hold the power button until the logo appears, then immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Hold it until the phone boots into Safe Mode (there will be an inscription at the bottom of the screen).
4. Uninstall the application that blocks the screen (for example, AppLock).
5. Reboot the phone in normal mode.

If the lock is set by the system (standard PIN or pattern), Safe Mode will not help. Also, this method does not work on Xiaomi and Huawei with the latest firmware versions.

What to do if Safe Mode does not turn on?

On some phones (for example Google Pixel or OnePlus) loading into Safe Mode occurs differently:

1. Turn off your phone.

2. Turn it on by holding the power button.

3. When the logo appears, immediately press and hold Volume Down buttonuntil you see "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen.

If this did not work, your model does not support this mode to bypass the lock.

6. When nothing helps: reset via Recovery

If all the previous methods did not work, the last option remains - reset via Recovery Mode. This will lead to total data lossbut will unlock the phone. Use this method only as a last resort.

Instructions for most devices:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold down the button combination to enter in Recovery Mode (depending on the model):
   • 📱 Samsung: Power + Volume Up + Bixby (or Home on older models).
   • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Power + Volume Up.
   • 📱 Huawei/Honor: Power + Volume Up (hold for 10+ seconds).
   • 📱 Google Pixel: Power + Volume Downthen select Recovery Mode.

In the menu Recovery select "Wipe data/factory reset" (volume button control, confirmation - power button).

Confirm the reset and wait until it is completed.

Select "Reboot system now".

After the reset, the phone will be like new - without a password, but also without your data. If synchronization with Googlewas enabled before blocking, some of the information (contacts, photos in Google Photos) can be restored after logging into your account.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 9+ after the reset it may work Factory Reset Protection (FRP). In this case, you will need to enter the data of the Googleaccount that was linked to the phone before the reset. If you don't remember it, the phone will remain locked.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Android

Is it possible to unlock the phone without losing data if USB debugging is not enabled?

Unfortunately, no. Without pre-enabled USB debugging or a linked account (Google/Mi Account) You cannot guarantee to unlock the phone without resetting. The only chance is methods using accounts (sections 1–3), but they do not work on all devices.

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

This protection worked. To bypass it, you need to enter the account information FRP (Factory Reset Protection). To bypass it, you need to enter your account information Googlethat was linked to the phone before resetting. data-i="247">Try to restore access viaIf you don’t remember it:

• Try to restore access via accounts.google.com.
• If the account is deleted, contact support Google with proof of ownership of the device (receipt, box).
• On some devices Samsung FRP can be bypassed through Combination Firmware, but this requires skills and risks bricking the phone.

Does unlocking through a Google account work on Android 13?

No. Starting from Android 8.0 Oreo, Google he removed the ability to reset the password through the account for security reasons. On new versions (Android 12/13/14), this method does not workexcept for certain firmware from manufacturers (for example, on some Xiaomi or Huawei).

Is it possible to restore data after resetting via Recovery?

Partially. If synchronization was enabled before blocking:

• 📇 Contact — are restored from Google Contacts.
• 📷 Photos/videos — if they were uploaded to Google Photos.
• 📅 Notes/calendars — synchronized via Google Keep or Calendar.

Local files (SMS, calls, applications, settings) are permanently deletedIf you had a backup via TWRP or Samsung Smart Switch, you can try to restore it after unlocking.

Are there paid services for unlocking without losing data?

Yes, but their effectiveness is questionable. Some services. (for example, Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey) promise unlocking without resetting, but:

• ⚠️ They often require root accesswhich cannot be obtained on a locked phone.
• 💰 The cost reaches $30–50, and the result is not guaranteed.
• 🔒 There is a risk of installing malware on your computer.

Before paying, check reviews and make sure that the service supports your phone model and version Android.