This article shows you how to unlock an Android device whose passcode or sign to remove the lock screen is unknown. There are several ways to accomplish this, ranging from using Google's "Find My Device" website to factory resetting your device. It should be noted that you need to know the email address and password of the Google account with which the device is synchronized to be able to access it again after restoring the factory settings.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using the Find My Device feature
Step 1. Go to the Google "Find My Device" website
Use the browser of your choice and the following URL.
If you own a Samsung smartphone or tablet, you will need to use the homonymous functionality offered by Samsung itself
Step 2. Log in using your Google account
When prompted, enter your Gmail email address, press the button Come on, type in the relevant password and then press the button again Come on.
If you don't know the Google account password associated with the device you want to track, you'll need to reset it before you can continue
Step 3. Select the Android device under consideration
If it is not selected by default, do so as soon as Google's "Find My Device" page appears. It should be listed within the left sidebar of the browser window.
Step 4. Press the Lock button
It is located on the left side of the page in question, exactly under the name of the device you are trying to track down. A new pop-up window will appear.
Step 5. Create a new password
Type it in the text field at the top of the pop-up window that appeared, then enter it a second time to confirm its accuracy using the text field visible at the bottom of the same window.
Step 6. Press the Lock button
It is located at the bottom of the page. This step is used to change the access password to the Android device by replacing it with the one just provided.
Step 7. Unlock the target Android device using the newly created password
Tap the screen and type in the password you just created. This way you should be able to unlock your Android device without any problem.
Method 2 of 5: Use the Samsung Personal Device Finder website
Step 1. Understand how this method works
If you own a Samsung Galaxy device (or another model of Android smartphone or tablet manufactured by Samsung) that you have regularly registered on the manufacturer's website, you will be able to find it using the "Find My Device" feature offered directly by Samsung itself.
If your Android device is not manufactured by Samsung or if you have not registered it on the Samsung website, you will not be able to use this procedure to unlock it and restore normal operation
Step 2. Go to the Samsung "Find My Device" website
Use the browser of your choice and the following URL.
Step 3. Log in using your Samsung account
If prompted, press the button Log in, then enter your e-mail address (or mobile number) and the relative access password; finally, press the button Log in.
Step 4. Select the Unlock my device option
It is located inside the left sidebar of the page.
If you have more than one Samsung Galaxy device, you may need to select it using the relevant drop-down menu at the top left of the page before you can use this feature
Step 5. Re-enter your Samsung account password if prompted
To verify your identity, you may need to enter your account password; if so, do it without delay. This way you should be able to unlock access to the selected Samsung Galaxy device. However, you may have to wait a few seconds before it syncs and actually unlocks.
After removing the lock screen, you should be able to set a new password using the app Settings.
Method 3 of 5: Reset to Factory Settings
Step 1. Understand the implications of using this method
When you perform a factory reset of an Android device, all configuration settings (including the password, PIN, or unlock mark to access the device) are deleted. It should be noted that contacts and all apps installed by the user will also be removed together with all related data.
Unfortunately, if you haven't backed up your personal information stored on your device, you won't be able to recover it after performing a factory reset
Step 2. Enter the "Recovery" mode of the device
Each Android smartphone and tablet has its own key combination that is used to activate recovery mode and varies by make and model. Check your device's user manual for this combination or search online.
For example Samsung device users normally have to press the "Power", "Home" and the "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" buttons to access the recovery menu
Step 3. Turn off the Android device
Press and hold the Power "Power" button, then select the option Switch off when required. This will shut down the Android device.
Step 4. Press the key combination to access the "Recovery" menu
In this way the device will start in "Recovery" mode, which will allow you to use a special menu to restore it.
If the "No command" error message appears on the screen, hold down the indicated keys to activate the "Recovery" mode for another 15-20 seconds
Step 5. Select the Recovery mode item
As soon as the Android service menu appears on the screen choose the item Recovery mode using the rocker or keys to adjust the volume and press the "Power" button to select it.
- If you don't find the option Recovery mode, skip this step;
- If the "No command" error screen appeared instead, go directly to the next step.
Step 6. Close the "No command" error screen
If you are using a Pixel smartphone (Android devices produced directly by Google), press and hold the "Power" and "Volume Up" keys until the recovery menu appears.
Step 7. Select the Wipe data / factory reset option
Scroll through the menu until the item shown is highlighted, then press the "Power" button.
Step 8. Choose Yes - delete all user data
It is positioned in the center of the screen. This way the Android device will perform a factory reset.
Step 9. Wait for the device to complete the recovery process
This typically takes less than 10 minutes.
Step 10. Perform the initial setup of your "new" Android device
Once the device is reset and restarted, you will need to go through the initial setup wizard as if it were a new smartphone or tablet.
You will need to set the language to use and choose the Wi-Fi network to connect the device to
Step 11. Log into your Google account
When prompted, enter the email address and security password for the account the device was paired with before the reset.
If you don't know the Google account password associated with the device you want to track, you'll need to reset it before you can continue
Step 12. Complete the device setup
After pairing it with your Google account, you can proceed to customize your smartphone according to your needs.
Method 4 of 5: Using a Custom Recovery
Step 1. Find out when it is correct to use this method
If you have installed a "custom recovery" such as CWM or TWRP (this is a modified firmware that allows you to access a "Recovery" menu other than the default Android one to perform extraordinary maintenance on the device), you will have the possibility to use its file manager to delete the system files that manage the lock screen, which in other words means deleting the password or passcode.
If you haven't already installed a "custom recovery" on your Android device, you won't be able to use this method
Step 2. Turn off the Android device
Press and hold the Power "Power" button, then select the option Switch off when required. This will shut down the Android device.
Step 3. Enter the "Recovery" mode of the device
Each Android smartphone and tablet has its own key combination that is used to activate recovery mode and varies by make and model. This usually involves holding down a key combination that includes the "Power", "Home" and volume rocker buttons.
To find the correct key combination, check your device's user manual or search online
Step 4. Enter the Mount menu
This option is listed on the main screen of the "custom recovery" in use.
Step 5. Enable access to all available routes on your Android device
This step allows you to enable access to all the folders stored in the device memory. Select the check button next to each of the directories listed.
If available, do not enable the "Mount system partition read-only" function
Step 6. Download and install the AROMA file manager on your device
Press the "Back" button and follow these instructions using a computer:
- Select the link to download the AROMA installation file;
- Wait for the ZIP file to be saved on your computer;
-
Connect the Android device to the computer using the supplied USB data cable;
If you are using a Mac, you will need to install the "Android File Transfer" program first
- Transfer the AROMA ZIP file to the "Download" folder of your Android device.
Step 7. Install AROMA on your Android smartphone or tablet
This file manager allows you to delete system files from the device:
- Access the menu Install;
- Open the folder Download;
- Select the AROMA ZIP file;
- Activate the "Install" slider by moving it to the right or select the item Install, then wait for the installation procedure to complete. You will receive a notification message.
Step 8. Navigate to the system folder where the files that manage the device's lock screen are stored
Follow these instructions:
- Access the folder date;
- Open the directory system;
- Scroll down the list appeared to be able to view the list of files that is after the one relating to the folders in the current directory.
Step 9. Delete the files related to the device lock screen
All files whose names begin with the words "gatekeeper", "locksettings" and "lockscreen" refer to the Android device's lock screen management and must be deleted:
- Keep your finger pressed on the name of the file you want to delete to select it;
- Now tap on the name of all the files you have identified to delete;
- Push the button Menu;
- Tap the item Delete.
- If prompted, confirm that you want to delete the selected items.
Step 10. Restart the Android device
Return to the main screen of the "custom recovery" in use, then choose the option Reboot. When the device has completed its startup phase, you should be able to access the Home screen without the need to enter a password or access PIN.
Method 5 of 5: Remove a Third Party Lock Screen
Step 1. Understand when to use this method
If you know the password or access PIN of your Android device, but are unable to unlock it due to the presence of a third party application, you can solve the problem by using the device's "safe mode" to uninstall the application in question.
- Some mobile applications are vehicles for malware and viruses that can change the lock screen password. By taking advantage of Android's "safe mode" you have the option to uninstall this type of application.
- It should be noted that, in order to access the device after removing the offending application, it is still necessary to know the password, PIN or security scheme.
Step 2. Press and hold the "Power" button on the device
It is usually located along the right side of the device. A menu with several options will appear.
Step 3. Press and hold the Power Off option
A second menu will appear after a few seconds.
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will have to choose the voice Restart and hold down the key Volume Down while the device will perform the restart procedure. In this case you can skip the next two steps.
Step 4. Select the "Restart" check button
It should be placed at the top of the appeared menu.
Step 5. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the menu. This will cause the device to perform the reboot procedure.
Step 6. Wait for the restart phase to complete
At the end of this step, in the lower left corner of the device screen, you should see "Safe Mode".
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, remember that to activate the "safe mode" you will have to press and hold the key Volume Down while the device is restarting.
Step 7. Unlock your device
In "safe mode" only the drivers and programs that are essential to the functioning of the device are loaded, so the malicious third party app that is causing the problem will not be running. At this point all you have to do is log in to your device by entering your password or security PIN.
Step 8. Launch the Settings app
Swipe your finger down the screen, starting from the top (in some cases you may need to use two fingers), then tap the icon Settings in the shape of a gear
placed in the appeared menu.
Step 9. Choose the Applications option
It should be listed in the center of the screen.
Step 10. Select the third party app to remove
Scroll through the list of all applications installed on your device until you find the one that is causing the problem, then select it.
Step 11. Press the Uninstall button
It should be placed at the top of the screen.
Step 12. Press the OK button when prompted
This will uninstall the selected app from your device.
