How to Unlock Android Phone

Part 1: How to Unlock your Android Phone if you have Access to your Google Password Recovery

If you have forgotten your pattern or PIN but still have access to your Google Password you can easily unlock the device using your Google username and password. Note that this method will only work for Android 4.4 and below.

Step 1: Enter the wrong pattern, password or PIN at least 5 times

Step 2: Choose “Forgot pattern and then enter your backup pin if you have one or your Google Account Login information

Step 3: Your phone should be unlocked once you enter the right Google Login information

Part 2: How to Unlock Android Phone if you don’t remember your Google Password Recovery information

What of you cannot remember your Google account name and password? You can unlock your device even if you don’t have your Google information in one of the following two ways;

1.       If you remember the mobile number you set up with…

Step 1: Visit the Google Accounts Recovery Page here

Step 2: Choose one of the options available. Google will require your email address if you choose “I don’t know my password”

Step 3: Once you click on “Continue” you will be required to enter your mobile number

Step 4: Google will send the verification code to that number

Step 5: Enter this code and then click on “Continue”

Step 6: The next step is to enter a new password. Choose “Reset Password” once you have entered a new password

Step 7: Use this new password to unlock your phone.

2.       If you Don’t remember the Mobile Number

Step 1: if you don’t remember the mobile number choose “Verify your Identity” when Google requests a mobile number

Step 2: Google will ask a number of questions related to contacts, recent emails and past passwords. Answer these questions until you recover your Google ID to unlock your device.

Part 3: How to Unlock Android Phone using Android Device Manger (ADM)

In order to use this method you need to have installed Android Device Manger on your phone before you locked it. If you had ADM installed on the device, here’s how to use it to unlock the device.

Step 1: Go to google.com/android/devicemanager on your computer or other mobile device and sign in using your Google details

Step 2: You should see your device in the ADM interface. Select it

Step 3: Choose “Lock”

Step 4: in the resultant window, enter a temporary password. A recovery message is not necessary. Click on “Lock” Again

Step 5: You should see a confirmation box showing “Ring” “Lock” and “Erase” buttons

Step 6: You should also see a password field on your phone. Enter the temporary password to unlock the phone.

The above steps should easily unlock your device and you can easily replace the temporary password with a new one in your phone’s lock screen settings. 

Part 4: How to Unlock your Android Device using Find My Mobile Tool (Samsung Only)

This is another easy solution. The only disclaimer is that you must have registered your Samsung device before you were locked out.

Step 1: Go to https://findmymobile.samsung.com/ and sign in using your Samsung details

Step 2: Your device should be displayed on the left had side. Select “Unlock my Screen”

Step 3: Next, choose “Unlock” and wait for the process to complete. It should take just a few seconds.

Step 4: Once the process is complete, a notification will appear letting you know your phone has been unlocked. 

Part 5: How to Disable a locked Screen using Pattern Password disable and Custom recovery

This is an effective method but it is for more advanced Android users who understand all about device rooting and custom recovery. It will also not work unless you have an SD card slot because we will need it to transfer the ZIP file to your phone.

Step 1: Download the Pattern Password Disable ZIP file below;

Download it here

Step 2: transfer the ZIP file from your computer to the SD card

Step 3: reboot the phone in recovery mode and then flash the ZIP file

Step 4: Reboot the device

Your device should now reboot without a locked screen. If you see a password or lock screen, enter a random password to unlock your device. 

Part 6: Factory Reset the Phone as a last resort

If all else fails a factory reset should fix the problem. Please note that this should be a last resort because performing a factory reset will more often than not result in total data loss. Here’s how to perform a factory reset on a Samsung device if your device is different click here to find the specific instructions for that model.

Step 1: Turn off the device completely

Step 2: hold down the Volume up/down buttons and Power buttons until the Samsung Logo appears. Then release the Power button

Step 3: You will get to the recovery screen. Here use the Volume Down button to select “wipe data/factory reset. Then tap on the Home icon at the bottom.

Step 4: Tap on the Volume UP button to allow the factory reset process to begin. Wait while the process completes.

Step 5: Make sure that the “reboot system now” option is selected

Your device should reboot without the locked screen.

Note that if you are using Android 5.1 or higher, you may be required to enter your Google login details as a precautionary measure.