How to reset Android settings via your computer if you forgot your password: 5 working methods

Forgotten password on an Android smartphone - a situation that every fifth user faces. According to statistics Google, 18% of support calls are related to device blocking. If standard unlocking methods (via account Google or fingerprint) do not work, the only reliable method remains is hard reset via computer. This method is suitable for devices of all brands: Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Huawei P, Realme and others.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods resetting settings via PC, including using ADBmode Fastboot, proprietary utilities of manufacturers and even bypassing blocking through Google Find My Device. Important: some methods require preliminary configuration of USB debugging, so if you have not activated it in advance, some methods may not work. We will also tell you how to minimize data loss and what to do if your smartphone is not detected by your computer.

Before you begin, please note: resetting the settings will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed applications. If synchronization with Google Accountwas enabled on your smartphone, some information (contacts, notes, mail) can be restored after unlocking. There is almost no chance for other data - so always set up backup in advance.

1. Preparing your computer: what you will need to reset

Before resetting your settings, make sure your PC is ready for the procedure. Without proper preparation, even the most reliable method may not work. Here's what you'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer under control Windows 7/10/11 or macOS (for some methods). A laptop or a desktop PC - it doesn’t matter, the main thing is the presence of a USB port.
• 🔌 Original USB cable. Cheap Chinese cables often do not transmit data, they only charge. Use the one that came with the smartphone.
• 📥 Drivers for your device. Without them, the PC will not recognize the phone in the required modes. For Samsung — Samsung USB Driver, for Xiaomi — Mi PC Suite, for other brands - universal Google USB Driver.
• 🛠️ Reset tools: ADB and Fastboot (included Android SDK Platform-Tools), or proprietary utilities of the manufacturer (Samsung Odin, Xiaomi Mi Flash).

If you have never connected your smartphone to this computer before enable USB debugging before blocking

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ and latest firmware Samsung One UI 5.0+ or MIUI 14+ some methods (for example, reset via ADB) may be blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, use alternative methods from this article.

Download the necessary tools in advance:

• 🔗 Android SDK Platform-Tools (official website Google) — for ADB i Fastboot.
• 🔗 Samsung Odin — for firmware Samsung via Download Mode.
• 🔗 Mi Flash Tool —for devices Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco.

2. Method 1: Reset via ADB (if USB debugging was enabled)

This is the fastest and safest method, but it works only if you have previously activated USB debugging in the developer settings If. no - skip this section and go to the next method.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
3. Go to the folder with ADB (for example, cd C:\platform-tools).
4. Enter the command:

   adb devices

   If the device is detected (its serial number appears), proceed to the next step. If not, check the drivers or cable.

5. Execute reset:

   adb shell recovery --wipe_data

   Or for new versions of Android:

   adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

After executing the command, the smartphone will reboot and begin the reset process. This method does not require unlocking the bootloaderis therefore suitable even for devices with a locked bootloader.

Make sure that USB debugging was enabled before blocking|

Download and unpack Android SDK Platform-Tools|

Connect the original USB cable|

Check the device definition with the adb devices-->

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Huawei i Honor s EMUI 10+ command adb shell may not work due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, use the method via Fastboot (method 3).

3. Method 2: Reset via Find My Device (without a PC, but from a computer)

If you have access to another device (not even Android), you can use the service Google Find My Device. This method works only if:

• 📱 The smartphone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 A Google Account was linked to the device data-i="120">📍 The "Find device" function has been activated in the settings..
• 📍 The "Find my device" function has been activated in the settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to the site Google Find My Device from any browser.
2. Login using the same account Google, as on a locked smartphone.
3. Select your device from the list (if there are several of them).
4. Click"Erase data" →"Erase device".
5. Confirm the action by entering your account password Google.

The process may take from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the Internet speed. After the reset, the device will reboot and offer to configure it as new. Disadvantage of the method: if the smartphone is not connected to the network, the command will not arrive and the reset will not occur.

4. Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for an unlocked one). bootloader)

Method via Fastboot is suitable for most Android devices, but requires unlocked bootloader (bootloader). If you have never unlocked it before, this method will not work - go to method 4 or 5.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the smartphone.
2. Hold down the button combination to enter in Fastboot Mode:
   • 📱 Samsung: Volume down + Power + Bixby (hold for 10 seconds).
   • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Volume down + Power.
   • 📱 Google Pixel, OnePlus: Volume up + Power.

fastboot devices

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot erase cache

fastboot reboot

After rebooting the smartphone will be completely reset. If the command fastboot erase userdata did not work, try an alternative:

fastboot -w

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung with Knox (for example, Galaxy S22, Note 20) reset via Fastboot may lead to flag is triggered Knox 0x1, which voids the warranty and blocks some functions (for example, Samsung Pay).

5. Method 4: Reset through proprietary utilities (Odin, Mi Flash, HiSuite)

Smartphone manufacturers offer their own tools for flashing and resetting. They most often work even without an unlocked bootloader, but require official firmware for your model.

Let's consider three popular utilities:

Example of reset via Odin for Samsung:

1. Download Odin and the official firmware for your model from the site Sammobile.
2. Run Odin and connect the smartphone in mode Download Mode.
3. B Odin click BL, AP, CP, CSC and select the appropriate files from the firmware.
4. Make sure that the checkbox is only on Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.
5. Click Start and wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

For Xiaomi the process is similar, but it uses Mi Flash Tool and firmware in the format .tgz. Important: select the firmware version that matches your model and region!

6. Method 5: Reset via Recovery Mode (without a PC, but with a computer for backup)

If you don’t have a cable at hand or the PC does not recognize the smartphone, you can try a reset via Recovery Mode. This method does not require a computer, but does not work on all devices some manufacturers block access to reset through recovery.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Hold the combination to enter Recovery Mode:
   • 📱 Samsung: Volume up + Power + Bixby.
   • 📱 Xiaomi/Google/OnePlus: Volume up + Power.
   • 📱 Huawei: Volume up + Power (hold until logo).

If the recovery menu is in Chinese (relevant for Xiaomi and some Realme), look for the item with hieroglyphs (data clearing) or (factory restore settings).

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung s One UI 4.0+ i Xiaomi s MIUI 13+ item Wipe data can be blocked - in this case, the system will require you to enter a password. If you don't know it, this method will not work.

7. What to do if not a single method worked

If all of the above methods did not help, there are three options left:

• 🔧 Contact the service center. Official centers Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei can reset the settings through special equipment (for example, UFI Box or Octoplus). The cost of the service is from 500 to 2000 rubles.
• 📞 Contact manufacturer support. Some brands (for example, Google for Pixel) can help you unlock the device remotely after confirming ownership.
• 🔄 Sell a smartphone for parts. If the data on the device is not critical, and unlocking costs more than the phone itself, you can sell it profitably through Avito or Yula as a "donor" for repair.

On devices with a chip Qualcomm (most Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme) there is a method reset via EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode), but it requires a special cable and knowledge of commands for QFil or QPST. This method is risky - if you make an error, the smartphone can turn into a “brick”.

If you decide to take the device to the service don't tellthat you forgot the password, formulate the problem as “the smartphone does not turn on after the update” or “stuck on the logo”. This will increase the chances of a successful repair without unnecessary questions.

8. How to avoid data loss in the future

To avoid encountering the problem of a locked smartphone again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔐 Use a PIN instead of a pattern. A pattern lock is easier to guess, and a PIN of 6+ digits is more secure.
• 📱 Activate Smart Lock (in security settings). This will allow you to unlock your phone in trusted places (for example, at home) without entering a password.
• ☁️ Set up automatic backup in Google Drive (Settings → System → Backup). This will save contacts, photos and application settings.
• 🖥️ Enable USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (7 taps) → Developer settings → USB debugging). This will open access to ADB in the future.
• 📧 Link your Google account and activate "Find device". This will allow you to reset your settings remotely.

If you often forget passwords, write them down in Google Password Manager or specialized applications like KeePass or 1Password. Storing passwords in notes or SMS is dangerous - if you lose access to your smartphone, you will also lose access to your recordings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about resetting Android via PC

adb shell recovery --wipe_data