This wikiHow teaches you how to create or edit a pattern to unlock home access on an Android device. You will also learn how to restore access to your device in case you forget your unlock pattern. If you are using a device with an operating system version later than Android 4.4 (KitKat), the only way to unlock the screen - if you no longer remember the login sequence - is to reset the tablet to factory settings.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Create an Unlock Sequence
Step 1. Launch the Android device's Settings app by tapping the icon
Open the notification and quick settings bar by sliding your finger down the screen, starting from the top of the Home screen; then, select the gear icon located in the upper right corner of the panel that will appear.
If you are unable to access your Android device because you have forgotten your existing unlock pattern, please refer to one of the other methods in the article
Step 2. Select the Security menu
In some cases, you will need to select the option first Security and Location and then the voice Safety.
Step 3. Tap the Screen Lock option
You may need to scroll down the appeared menu before you can select the indicated section.
Step 4. Enter your current login pattern, PIN or password to continue
You will only need to perform this step if you have already activated the screen lock.
Step 5. Select the Sequence option
In this way, you will have the possibility to trace an access sequence using the grid of points that appeared on the screen. You can use it to unlock the device screen, rather than having to enter a PIN or password.
Step 6. Use your finger to draw a sequence that joins 4 or more grid points
After entering the sequence for the first time, you will need to trace it once more in order to verify its correctness.
Step 7. Press the Confirm button to store the login sequence
From now on, you will need to use it to be able to unlock the device screen and have access to Home.
Practice drawing your new sequence over and over again so you can memorize it. If you forget it, you will not be able to access the data stored on the device
Method 2 of 4: Reset the Tablet Using the Find My Device Feature
Step 1. Visit the website https://android.com/find using a computer, smartphone or tablet
If you have a tablet running Android 4.5 (Lollipop) or later and have forgotten your login pattern, you can solve the problem by restoring the factory default settings. An easy way to do this is to use the "Find My Device" feature via an internet browser.
- All data on your tablet will be deleted, so if you don't have a backup it will be lost forever.
- The "Find My Device" feature should be enabled by default on all Android tablets. If you've disabled it, try using one of the other methods in the article.
- If you have activated the "Smart Lock" function to unlock access to the device automatically when you are in certain specific places (for example at home or in the office), go to these places and the tablet will unlock itself.
Step 2. Log into your Google account
Make sure you enter the same username and password that you used to authenticate on the Android tablet. In other words, you will have to use the same Google account.
Step 3. Select your tablet
You will only need to perform this step if you have synced your account with multiple Android devices.
Step 4. Click on the Reset device item, then follow the instructions that will appear on the screen
In this way, all data will be deleted and the device will be returned to the original state it was in at the time of purchase. When the reset process is complete, you will be asked to perform the initial setup of the device, including synchronization with your Google account.
Step 5. Perform Initial Device Setup
Log in with your Google account, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the tablet setup. The device configuration procedure will also guide you in creating a new pattern, a new PIN or new biometric credentials with which to protect access to your data and which you will need to use in the future to unlock the tablet.
Method 3 of 4: Reset the Tablet Using Recovery Mode
Step 1. Turn off the tablet
If you have a tablet running Android 4.5 (Lollipop) or later and have forgotten your login pattern, you can solve the problem by restoring the factory default settings. If you can't use the "Find My Device" feature to reset your tablet, you can fix the problem by turning on Recovery mode.
- All data on your tablet will be deleted, so if you don't have a backup it will be lost forever.
- If you have activated the "Smart Lock" function to unlock access to the device automatically when you are in certain specific places (for example at home or in the office), go to these places and the tablet will unlock itself.
Step 2. Press and hold the "Volume Up" and "Power" keys at the same time
Release the indicated keys when the tablet turns on again.
The key sequence to press to enter Recovery mode varies by device model. If the key combination shown doesn't work, try using the "Volume Down" and "Power" keys. If you have any problems, consult your Android device manufacturer's instruction manual or website
Step 3. Enter the main menu of the Recovery mode
The procedure to follow varies depending on the device in use.
- Samsung: When the Samsung welcome screen appears, use the "Volume Up" key to select the icon with the Android logo and an arrow, then press the "Volume Down" key twice to select the option Recovery Console and finally press the "Power" button.
- LG: When the "Start" menu appears on the screen, press the "Volume Down" key twice to select the option Recovery Mode, then press the "Power" button to confirm.
- Google Pixel: Press the "Volume Down" key to select the item Restart bootloader, then press the "Power" button to confirm.
Step 4. Scroll down the menu that appeared to be able to select the Wipe Data / Factory Reset item
Use the volume keys to move through the menu options, then press the "Power" key to select the option you want.
Step 5. Select the Yes option to confirm your choice
In some cases, you will need to select the voice Yes, delete all user data and press the "Power" button to confirm. The device will perform a factory reset. At the end of the procedure, you will have to restart the tablet.
Step 6. Select the Reboot System Now option to complete the reset
This step may only be required for some tablet models. Once the tablet is reset, you will need to go through the initial setup wizard, the same one you had to run the first time you started it after purchase.
Step 7. Perform Initial Device Setup
Log in with your Google account, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the tablet setup. The device configuration procedure will also guide you in creating a new pattern, a new PIN or new biometric credentials with which to protect access to your data and which you will need to use in the future to unlock the tablet.
Method 4 of 4: Use Google Account (Android 4.4 and Earlier Versions)
Step 1. Press the "Power" button on the tablet
The features to unlock the screen will be displayed.
This method only works on devices running Android 4.4 (KitKat) and earlier versions. You will also need to know the login credentials (username and password) of the Google account associated with the tablet
Step 2. Try to guess the unlock pattern of the device
After entering the wrong sequence several times the help message "Forgot sequence?" Will appear.
Step 3. Select the Forgot Sequence item
Step 4. Enter the login credentials (username and password) of the Google account associated with the tablet
Step 5. Select the Login option
Step 6. Enter a new unlock pattern and press the Continue button
From now on, you can use it to unlock the device screen and have access to Home.
