How to reset Android settings if you forgot your lock password: 5 proven methods

Forgot your phone password and can’t unlock the screen? The situation is familiar to millions of users - according to statistics, every fifth Android owner has encountered a similar problem at least once. Luckily, there are several official and unofficial methods to reset your password without losing data (in some cases) or completely wiping your device. In this article we will analyze all current unlocking methodsfrom the simplest to the most technically complex, taking into account the features of different versions Android and brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei etc.).

Important understand: most methods lead to the deletion of all data on the device, including photos, contacts and applications. However, if synchronization with Google Account or backup was enabled on the phone, some of the information can be restored after unlocking. Let's start with the safest and most legal methods - they are suitable even for beginners.

1. Unlocking via Google Find My Device (official method)

This is the most reliable method if the phone has been linked Google account and location services are enabled. The method works on most devices with Android 5.0 and newer, but requires an Internet connection (via a mobile network or Wi-Fi).

Instructions:

• 🌐 Go to the site Google Find My Device from a computer or other phone.
• 🔑 Log in using the same account Googlethat is linked to the locked device.
• 📱 Select your phone in the list of devices. If it is not there, check whether Find My Device is enabled on it in the security settings.
• 🔄 Click Erase data (Erase Device) and confirm the action. This will delete all data, including the lock password.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting through Find My Device the phone will require you to enter data the last linked Google account (FRP lock). If you do not remember your login/password, use access restoration.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works remotely, without physical access to the phone.
• ✅ Supported by all modern devices (Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus etc.).
• ✅ Does not require technical skills.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Deletes all data on the phone.
• ❌ Requires an active Internet connection on locked device.

2. Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Find My Device is disabled or the phone is not connected to the Internet, the only universal way is hard reset through recovery mode (Recovery Mode). This method works on 99% of devices, but completely erases all data. The instructions differ depending on the phone model.

General scheme of actions:

1. Turn off the phone (press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of buttons to enter Recovery:
   • Samsung: Volume up + Power + Bixby (or Volume up + Power on new models).
   • Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Volume up + Power.
   • Huawei/Honor: Volume up + Power (on some models you need to hold for 10+ seconds).
   • Google Pixel, OnePlus, Nokia: Volume down + Power.

In the menu Recovery use the volume buttons to select Wipe data/factory reset (on some phones you first need to select Advanced).

Confirm the action (Yes) and wait for completion reset.

Select Reboot system now to reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI (Xiaomi) after resetting, you may need to enter Mi Accountif it was bound Without data from. account, it will be impossible to unlock the device!

Disconnect the phone from charging

Make sure the battery is charged at least 30%

Prepare a combination of buttons for your model

Have a charger on hand (in case of a long reboot)-->

What to do if you can’t log in Recovery?

• 🔋 Check the battery charge - a discharged phone may not respond to buttons.
• 🕒 Hold the combination longer (up to 20–30 seconds).
• 🔄 Try another combination (for example, Volume up + Volume down + Power).

3. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone was turned on USB debugging mode (USB Debugging), you can try to remove the password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for devices with Android 4.4–10.0 and requires a computer with installed drivers ADB.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or only ADB for your OS).
2. Connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable.
3. Open the command line (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and run commands:

   adb devices
   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

4. After a reboot, the password should be reset.

If the commands did not work, try an alternative option (for Android 5.0–7.0):

adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions Android (11+) this method is often blocked for security reasons. Also required root access, which are not available on all devices.

4. Using service codes (for older models)

On some phones (mainly Samsung and LG up to 2018), you can reset the password via service codesThis method does not work on all devices and may differ depending on the model.

Popular reset codes:

Brand	Code	Action
Samsung	##7780##	Soft reset (saves media files)
Samsung	*2767*3855#	Hard reset (deletes everything)
LG	3845#*model# (instead of model - model number, for example, LMG820)	Reset to factory settings
HTC	##3424##	Diagnostics and reset

How to use the code:

1. Enter the code in the application Phone (as a regular number).
2. Confirm reset if prompted.
3. Wait for reboot (may take up to 5 minutes).

Restrictions method:

• ❌ Works only on Android 7.0 and older.
• ❌ On new devices, codes are often disabled by the manufacturer.
• ❌ You may need to enter a PUK code after resetting (if the phone is linked to SIM card).

5. Contacting the service center (warranty and non-warranty cases)

If all of the above methods did not help, all that remains is to contact official service center the manufacturer. This is relevant for:

• 📱 Phones with FRP-locked (requires Google account confirmation after reset).
• 🔒 Devices with biometric locking (fingerprint/face), if the password is not known.
• 🛠️ Phones where resetting via Recovery leads to errors.

What you need to know before visit to the service:

• 📄 Take with you documents on the phone (receipts, warranty card, box). Without them, they may refuse service.
• 💰 Password reset in the service is usually paid (from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the model).
• ⏳ The procedure can take from several hours to 2-3 days.

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial services often offer “FRP bypass” for a low price, but this can lead to loss of warranty or even IMEI blocking (on some models Samsung and Xiaomi).

Cost of unlocking in official services (approximate prices):

Brand	Password reset (without FRP)	Bypass FRP
Samsung	800–1500 ₽	1500–3000 ₽
Xiaomi	500–1200 ₽	1200–2500 ₽
Huawei	600–1300 ₽	1500–2800 ₽
Google Pixel	1000–2000 ₽	2000–3500 ₽

What to do if the phone stolen?

If you suspect that your phone has been stolen, DO NOT try to reset the password yourself! Immediately:

1. Mark the device as lost in Find My Device.

2. Block the SIM card with your operator.

3. Contact the police with the IMEI of the phone (indicated on the box or in the receipt).

Independent reset in this case may interfere with the investigation.

6. Alternative methods (with reservations)

If standard methods do not work, you can try less common options. They are not suitable for all devices and require caution. Method 1: Reset via Safe Mode for example,

Method 1: Reset via Safe Mode

On some phones (Samsung, LG) you can boot into safe mode and remove the application that locks the screen (if the password is set through third-party software, for example, AppLock).

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Turn it on by holding the button Volume down until the logo appears.
3. In Safe Mode (there will be an inscription at the bottom of the screen) go to Settings → Applications.
4. Find the blocker application and remove it.
5. Restart the phone.

Method 2: Bypass via emergency call

On Android 5.0–8.0 sometimes the following trick works:

1. On the lock screen, tap Emergency call.
2. Dial ##4636## (the testing menu will open).
3. Go back to the lock screen - sometimes this leads to a password reset.

Method 3: Using an OTG cable and mouse

For phones with Android 5.0–7.0:

1. Connect to the phone OTG cable and a USB mouse.
2. Use your mouse, try dragging the factory reset notification (if there is one) or accessing the settings.

⚠️ Warning: These methods may not work on newer versions Android or may lead to system damage. Use them at your own risk!

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to unlock a phone without losing data?

Theoretically, yes, but only if:

• The phone was turned on USB Debugging (then it will help ADB).
• You are using Smart Lock (unlock by trusted device/location).
• You have a backup copy in Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.

In all other cases, the data will be lost.

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

This is FRP lock (Factory Reset Protection) To bypass it:

1. Enter the details of the last linked Google account.
2. If you don’t remember your password, restore it via recovery page.
3. For Samsung you may need to enter Samsung Account.

If the account cannot be restored, contact the service center.

Do apps for unlocking Android (for example, Dr.Fone) work?

apps like Dr.Fone, iMyFone LockWiper or Tenorshare 4uKey can help, but:

• ✅ Support a limited list of models (mostly Samsung, LG, Huawei).
• ❌ Often require payment (from $30).
• ❌ May contain viruses (download only from official sites).
• ⚠️ Do not guarantee 100% results (especially on new versions Android).

Before using, check reviews about the app on independent resources (for example, XDA Developers).

How to avoid blocking in the future?

So as not to lose access to phone:

• 🔐 Use Smart Lock (set up trusted devices/places).
• 📱 Enable Find My Device in the security settings.
• 🔄 Regularly create backups in Google Drive or the manufacturer's cloud.
• 📝 Write down the password in a safe place (for example, in Google Password Manager).
• 👆 Set up biometric unlocking (fingerprint/face) as a backup option.

What to do if nothing helps?

If all methods have been tried and the phone is still locked:

1. Contact the official service center brand.
2. Check whether the phone is affected warranty (sometimes the reset is free).
3. If the phone is old and of no value, consider the option flashing via Fastboot (requires skills).

As a last resort, you can sell the device for spare parts (for example, a screen, battery or motherboard are often purchased for repair).