How to turn on Android if you forgot your password: a complete guide 2026

Forgot your pattern key, PIN code or password for your Androidsmartphone? The situation is unpleasant, but not hopeless. Even if you have never set up backup unlocking methods, there are legal methods for restoring access - from standard functions Google Account to technical techniques via Recovery Mode or ADB. The main thing is not to panic and not try to select combinations at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, many devices are blocked for 30 seconds or completely erase the data.

In this article we will look 7 proven methodshow to enable Android without a password, taking into account the operating system version and phone model. Some methods will work on Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi Redmi, others - only on "pure" Android (for example, Google Pixel or Nokia). Important: some methods will lead to total data loss (photos, messages, applications), so try safe options first. If encryption is enabled on your phone, the chances of saving files are minimal.

We warn you in advance: if the device is linked to a corporate account (for example, through Microsoft Intune or VMware Workspace ONE), unlocking without a password may not be possible without the help of an administrator. The same goes for phones with hardware encryption (for example, Samsung Knox).

1. Unlocking via Google Account (Android 4.4 and below)

The easiest way is to use a linked one Google account. Unfortunately, it only works on outdated versions Android (up to Lollipop 5.0 inclusive). If your phone was released after 2015, this method most likely will not work.

How to check:

• 🔍 Enter the wrong password 5 times in a row. A button should appear on the screen Forgot your password? or Forgot your pattern key?.
• 📧 Click on it and enter your username/password Google Accountthat was linked to the phone.
• 🔓 After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to create a new password or pattern.

If there is no button, your version is Forgot your password? no - your version Android newer. Proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) even on older versions Android this method may be disabled by the manufacturer. In this case, try unlocking via Find My Device (see section 2).

2. Using the Find My Device (Google) service

Function Find My Device (previously - Android Device Manager) allows you not only to track the phone, but and Remote password reset or block the device. To do this:

1. Go to the website google.com/android/find from a computer or another phone.
2. Log in using the same Google Accountas on the locked device.
3. Select your smartphone in the list of devices.
4. Click Device lock and set a new temporary password.
5. Use this password to unlock your phone.

If the phone is not connected to the Internet, the service will not be able to send the command. In this case, only a reset via Recovery Mode (section 4) will help.

3. Unlocking via Samsung Find My Mobile (for Samsung devices) Owners are luckier: the company offers its own service, which works even on new models (unlike Google). The main condition is that your phone must have an account enabled

Owners Samsung Galaxy luckier: the company offers its own service Find My Mobile, which works even on new models (unlike Find My Device from Google). The main condition is that the account must be enabled on the phone Samsung and Internet access.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Open the website findmymobile.samsung.com.
• 🔑 Log in using your account Samsung.
• 📱 Select a locked device in the list.
• 🔓 Press Unlock (Unlock) and confirm the action.

After this, the phone will be unlocked, but all data (photos, messages, applications) will remain in place. This method is one of the safest for Samsung.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example Galaxy S22 and newer), the unlocking function may be disabled by default in the security settings. Check this in advance if the phone is not yet locked.

4. Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods did not work, it remains hard reset via Recovery Mode. This method will erase all data from your phone, including photos, contacts, and installed apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for most phones:

1. Turn off the phone (press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of buttons to enter in Recovery Mode:
   • 📱 Samsung: Power + Volume up + Bixby (or Home on older models).
   • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Power + Volume up.
   • 📱 Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola: Power + Volume Down.

In the menu Recovery select Wipe data/factory reset (use volume buttons to navigate, power button to confirm).

Confirm reset by selecting Yes.

Once completed, select Reboot system now.

The phone will reboot and offer to set it up as new. If it was turned on earlier FRP (Factory Reset Protection), you will need to enter data from the last linked Google Account.

Brand	Combination for Recovery Mode	Features
Samsung	Power + Volume up + Bixby	On new models, you may need to connect to a PC via Odin.
Xiaomi/Redmi	Power + Volume up	The menu Recovery may be Chinese - look for the hieroglyph"" (data clearing).
Google Pixel	Power + Volume down	After the reset, checking the FRP is required.
Huawei/Honor	Power + Volume up	On some models you need to confirm the reset via Huawei ID.

5. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

If your phone is enabled USB debugging (USB Debugging, you can try to unlock it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is suitable for Android 5.0–11.0 and requires access to a computer.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the PC via USB cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Check the device connection with the command:

   adb devices

   If the phone is displayed in the list, proceed further.

4. Delete the file with the password (for Android 5.0–7.0):

   adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

   Or for new versions:

   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 the phone:

   adb reboot

After the reboot, the password will be reset, but the data will remain in place. If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, this method will not work.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ and some firmwares (for example, MIUI 13+) this method may not work due to stricter security policies. Also, manufacturers like Samsung or OnePlus often block such commands at the kernel level.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your phone model are installed (download from the manufacturer's official website). Try a different USB cable (preferably the original one). Switch the connection mode on your phone to "File Transfer" (if you have access to the notification shade).

6. Bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after Hard Reset

If you done Hard Reset, but after rebooting the phone requires you to enter data from Google Account (this is called FRP lock) - don’t panic. There are several ways to bypass this protection, but they vary depending on the model.

General recommendations:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi during the setup stage (sometimes this allows you to skip the check FRP).
• 📞 Insert a SIM card and try to call the phone from another device - sometimes you can access the settings during a call.
• 🖥️ Use special apps to bypass FRP (for example, FRP Bypass APK), but download them only from trusted sources.

For Samsung:

1. During the setup stage, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go back and select Emergency Call (Emergency call).
3. Dial #0# - this will open the test menu. Go back and try running Settings.

For Xiaomi:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the mail input field and paste long text (for example, a 20-character string).
3. Select the text, click Share and select Gmail —this may open access to settings.

7. Contacting the service center

If none of the methods worked, all that remains is to contact the official service center manufacturer. They have special tools for unlocking, but be prepared to present:

• 📄 Receipt or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport (to confirm identity).
• 📱 Phone box (on some models Samsung or Apple require a serial number from the box).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 3000 rubles, depending on the model and the complexity of unlocking. Unofficial workshops may offer to “flash” the phone cheaper, but this is fraught with:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty.
• 🔄 Unstable operation of the firmware.
• 📵 Constant errors (for example, problems with the sensor or camera).

If the phone is under warranty, unlocking at the service center can be free.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Android

Is it possible to unlock the phone without losing data?

Yes, but only if:

• On the phone USB debugging is enabled (ADB), and you can use the method from section 5.
• You have Samsung with a linked account - then it will help Find My Mobile (section 3).
• You previously created a backup via Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.

In all other cases, the data will be lost.

What to do if you forgot your Google Account password?

Restore access via accounts.google.com:

1. Click Forgot your email? or Forgot your password?.
2. Confirm your identity via a backup email or phone.
3. If two-factor authentication is enabled, use backup codes.

If the account is deleted or blocked, it will be difficult to restore it. In this case, only a reset via Recovery Modewill help, but the data will be erased.

Does unlocking work through a call (Emergency Call)?

On some older models (for example, Samsung Galaxy S5 or LG G3) this method worked, but on new versions Android (8.0+) it is blocked. However, you can try:

1. On the lock screen, press Emergency call.
2. Dial #0# or ##4636##.
3. If the test menu opens, try accessing the settings through it.

On Android 10+ this method does not work.

Is it possible to unlock the phone through a computer without ADB?

Yes, but only if synchronization with Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi PC Suite or similar apps is enabled on the phone. For example:

• For Samsung: connect the phone to the PC, open Smart Switch and try to unlock through Find My Mobile.
• For Xiaomi: use Mi PC Suite, but the function unlocking is not available on all models.

Without preliminary configuration, these apps will not help.

What if after Hard Reset the phone asks for the old PIN?

This means that the function was enabled on the phone protection after reset (for example, Samsung Knox or Huawei FRP). In this case:

• Enter the last used PIN code or password from Google Account.
• If you don’t remember, try bypassing FRP (section 6).
• On Samsung sometimes it helps by entering null or 0000 in the PIN field.

If nothing helps, contact the service center center.