Forgotten smartphone password is a situation that almost every user has encountered. According to statistics, about 30% of calls to service centers are related to unlocking devices. The reasons are different: from banal forgetfulness to buying a used phone with someone else’s code installed. Fortunately, Android offers several official and alternative methods for restoring accesswithout resorting to a radical reset.

In this article we will examine all current unlocking methods for devices Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Google Pixel and other popular brands - from using a Google account to hidden functions of recovery mode. We will pay special attention to methods that save data on the phone, since a hard reset should be a last resort. We’ll also find out why some “folk” tips (like calling a locked phone) stopped working in new versions of Android.

Before you start unlocking, check the obvious: perhaps you just mixed up the keyboard layout (for example, enter numbers in the English layout instead of Russian) or enabled Caps Lock. If the phone is low, connect it to the charger for 10-15 minutes - some devices block password entry when the charge level is low.

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

This method worked on older versions of Android (up to Lollipop 5.0 inclusive). If your device was manufactured before 2015, try the following:

  1. Enter the wrong password 5 times in a row until the message appears "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your pattern?".
  2. Click on this sign - the system will prompt you to enter data from the account Googlethat was linked to the phone.
  3. Specify your email and password, after which the device will be unlocked.

Why doesn't this work on new phones? Starting from Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google removed this function due to a vulnerability: attackers could reset your password through phishing pages. Now unlocking through a Google account is possible only after full reset (we'll talk about it below).

⚠️ Attention: If you bought the phone second-hand and the previous owner did not delete his Google account, unlock The device after reset will not be possible without its data. This is called FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection).
📊 What version of Android does your phone use?
Android 10 and below
Android 11-12
Android 13-14
I don’t know

2. Using the "Find My Device" function

Service Find My Device from Google allows you not only to track your phone, but also unlock it remotely. To do this:

  • 🌐 Go to the site google.com/android/find from another device.
  • 🔑 Log in using the same Google account that is linked to the locked phone.
  • 📱 Select your device in the list (if there are several).
  • 🔓 Press "Device lock", then enter a new password and confirm.

This method works even if the phone not connected to a mobile network, but must be enabled Wi-Fi or Mobile data. After unlocking, the old password will be reset, and the new one can be changed in the settings.

Note for Samsung owners: the brand has its own service Find My Mobilethat offers similar functions. To use it, you need to register with Samsung Account.

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If the phone is discharged and does not turn on, connect it to a charger for 30–40 minutes. Some models (for example Xiaomi) do not show the lock screen while the charge level is below 5%.

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode

If the previous methods did not work, you will have to use recovery mode. This method will lead to complete data loss, but will restore access to the phone. The instructions are universal for most brands, but there may be nuances.

Turn off the phone|Hold down the button combination to enter Recovery|Find the item "Wipe data/factory reset"|Confirm the reset|Reboot the device-->

Button combinations for entering Recovery Mode:

Brand Button combination Notes
Samsung Volume up + Power + Bixby (or Home on older models) Release the buttons when the logo appears
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco Volume up + Power On some models you need to hold for 10+ seconds
Huawei/Honor Volume up + Power In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons to navigate
Google Pixel Volume down + Power, then select Recovery Mode On the screen with the lying robot, press Power + Volume Up

In the Recovery menu, select item Wipe data/factory reset (use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to confirm). After the reset, the phone will reboot and you can set it up as new. Attention: this method does not bypass FRP protection —after the reset you will need to enter the details of the Google account that was linked earlier.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi and Realme after resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter Mi Account or Realme ID. If you do not remember this data, unlocking will become impossible without contacting the service center.

4. Unlocking via ADB (for advanced users)

If on your phone USB debugging is enabled (USB Debugging, you can try resetting the password via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for devices with Android 5.0–10.0; on new versions it is often blocked for security reasons.

You will need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with drivers installed for your phone.
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
  • 🛠️ Utility ADB (can be downloaded from official website).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to your computer.
  2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
  3. Enter the commands one by one: 
    adb shell

    su
    

    rm /data/system/gesture.key (for a pattern key)
    

    or
    

    rm /data/system/password.key (for a PIN code)

  4. Reboot the phone with the command reboot.

After After reboot, the lock screen should disappear. Method limitations:

  • ❌ Does not work on Android 11+ due to security changes.
  • ❌ Requires rights root on some devices.
  • ❌ If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, the method is useless.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?

If the command adb devices does not show your phone, check:

1. Are the drivers installed (for Windows download Google USB Driver).

2. Is the File transfer (MTP) mode enabled on the phone.

3. Try a different USB cable or port.

4. On macOS/Linux, you may need to add rules for udev (instructions are available on the Android developers website).

5. Resetting the password through the service center (official method)

If all independent unlocking attempts are unsuccessful, you can only contact in official service center brand. This is the most reliable, but also the most expensive method. Advantages:

  • 🔧 Guaranteed data retention (on some models).
  • 🛡️ Official unlocking does not violate guarantee (if it is still valid).
  • 📄 A document about the work performed is provided.

Cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles depending on the brand and model. For example:

Brand Average unlock price Completion time
Samsung 2 500–4 000 ₽ 1–3 days
Xiaomi 1 500–3 000 ₽ 1 day
Huawei 3 000–5 000 ₽ 2–5 days
Google Pixel 4 000–6 000 ₽ 3–7 days

Before visiting the service center:

  1. Check by phone whether they do unlocking (some centers refuse this services).
  2. Take with you document confirming the purchase (receipts, warranty card, box).
  3. If the phone was purchased second-hand, try contacting the previous owner to unlink the account.
⚠️ Attention: Unofficial service centers may offer unlocking “at a low price” using software from third-party developers. This is fraught data leak or firmware damage. Contact only authorized centers.

6. Alternative methods (with caution!)

On the Internet you can find dozens of “folk” methods for unlocking Android, but most of them are either outdated or carry risks. Let's consider those that can still work - but with reservations.

6.1. Calling a locked phone

Previously, this method worked like this: call the phone from another device, accept the call, then try to get into the settings through the call menu. Now this is impossible on Android 8.0 and later - the call interface is isolated from the rest of the system.

6.2. Using the emergency call mode

On some older phones (Android 5.0–7.0) you could:

  1. On the lock screen, press "Emergency call".
  2. Enter any number (for example, 112).
  3. Copy the number to the clipboard, then paste it into the Google search field (if available).
  4. Try to get into the settings through the search.

On new versions of Android, this bug has been fixed.

6.3. Special apps (risky!)

There are apps like Dr.Fone, iMyFone LockWiper or Tenorshare 4uKeythat promise unlocking without data loss. Problems:

  • ⚠️ Require root accesswhich voids the warranty.
  • ⚠️ May contain malware.
  • ⚠️ Does not work on the latest versions of Android.
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The only safe way to unlock without losing data is to use official services (Find My Device or contact a service center). All other methods are either outdated or carry risks for the device.

7. How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid finding yourself in a similar situation again, follow these simple rules:

  • 🔐 Use password manager (for example, Google Password Manager or 1Password) for storage PIN codes.
  • 📱 Set up biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as a backup method.
  • 📧 Link to your phone Google account and make sure that the function Find My Device is turned on.
  • 🔄 Regularly create backups important data (photos, contacts, messages) to the cloud or to your computer.
  • 📝 Write your PIN in a safe place (for example, in a notepad kept at home), but do not carry it with you.

If you often forget passwords, consider using pattern key —it’s easier to remember visually. Or set Smart Lock in Android so that the phone is automatically unlocked in safe places (for example, at home or at work).

For Samsung owners: in the security settings there is a function "Backup PIN" for unlocking with a fingerprint. It can be used if the main method suddenly stops working.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Android

Is it possible to unlock a phone without losing data?

Yes, but only if:

  • You have the function enabled Find My Device and the phone is connected to the Internet.
  • You have previously enabled USB Debugging and are ready to use ADB (only for Android 5.0–10.0).
  • You contact the official service center (not all centers guarantee data safety).

In all other cases, the data will be deleted.

What to do if you forgot your Google account password after resetting?

This problem FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection). Solutions:

  1. Try to restore access to your Google account via recovery page.
  2. If the phone was purchased second-hand, contact the previous owner.
  3. Contact the service center with documents for the phone (a certificate of purchase may be required).

Independent bypass of FRP on new devices is almost impossible without special equipment.

Does unlocking via call work on Android 12?

No. Since Android 8.0 OreoGoogle has closed this vulnerability. Now the emergency call interface is completely isolated from the rest of the system, and through it it is impossible to access settings or other functions of the phone.

Is it possible to unlock the phone if it is turned off and will not turn on?

If the phone does not respond to the power button, first check:

  • Charging (connect to another cable/power supply for 30+ minutes).
  • The battery (it may be swollen or damaged).

If the phone really does not turn on, unlocking is possible only after repair at a service center. In this case, the data will most likely be lost.

How to unlock the phone if the touch screen does not work?

If the screen responds to touches, but incorrectly (for example, does not recognize gestures), try:

  • Connect USB mouse via OTG adapter (on some phones the cursor will be displayed on the screen).
  • Use Find My Device for remote unlocking.
  • Log in Recovery Mode and reset (if the data is not important).

If the screen is completely dead (no image), only a service center will help.