As smart phone users, a lot of our private lives are put into a very small screen. Conversations, emails, pictures, and access to all manners of account, potentially available to anyone at the touch of a button. For many, the idea of a secure lock for this information is great. That is until that same lock is what’s keeping them from using their phone. Here, we will take a look at how to bypass the locking mechanisms of Android Smart phones, in case you happened to forget the Lock Screen Password.
Table of Contents
Fix #1: Reset Your Phone
Many users tend to forget the password to their phone within the first week or so of new purchase. At this time, very little new data is acquired, and if you still have your old phone, or transferred data via Micro-SD card, recovering that physically is not a big issue. If you find yourself in this group of users, first turn off your phone, and remove the Micro-SD card. Then, follow the steps below. (Note, any data currently on the phone will be wiped from memory and is not recoverable)
Step One: Enter into Android System Recovery. For most phones, this will be a tap and hold of the volume up button and power button, though if your device is a Samsung, you will also have to hold the Home button as well.
Step Two: After the Android System Recovery Screen boots up, use the volume button to go down to wipe data/factory reset, and hit the power button to select.
Step Three: Confirm you want to erase everything, and then allow the process to take place. Reboot the system once the process is completed.
Step Four: Confirm you can enter into the phone without issue, then turn it off, re-insert the SD card, and turn it on again. From here, normal use should be possible.
Fix #2: Use The Device Manager
If you happened to enable your Device Manager at any point before you locked yourself out, there’s some good news in all of this: You have just made recovering access much easier.
Step One: Go to google.com/android/devicemanager on any other device available.
Step Two: Log in using your gmail account which is associated with your phone.
Step Three: On the next screen, select the device you wish to unlock. Then, press lock.
Step Four: There will be a temporary password prompt displayed, enter in a simple password, then click lock again.
Step Five: Now, take a look at your phone. You should have a password field available. Use the password you just set up, and it should unlock the phone.
Step Six: Make sure to change the security settings on your phone to a more memorable password, or keep it unlocked altogether.
Fix #3: Get To The Root Of The Problem
If you have been a reader with us and have taken an interest in customizing your smart phone, chances are you may have followed one of our guides on how to root it before forgetting your password. This also makes things a little easier in that you won’t have to do a hard reset of your device. Just follow the steps below.
Step One: Turn off your phone, and remove the SD card. Next, insert it into your computer.
Step Two: Download Pattern Password Disable from XDA onto your SD card.
Step Three: Re-insert the card into your phone, and boot it into recovery mode. For most phones, this will require holding the volume up and power buttons at the same time.
Step Four: After entering recovery mode, flash the new file from your SD card storage as you did any installation packages, and reboot. After booting, the lock should be effectively disabled and you can recover all needed information before doing a more secure reset of lock features. If a lock still appears on your screen, just type in 1’s for a number or alphanumeric lock, or anything for a pattern or face lock. It should bypass the system and allow access.
As usual, it is recommended that if you were able to retain any information from your phone after unlocking, to back up that information in case you need to use the first method listed. Using a back-up service regularly ensures minimal losses even in the worst case scenarios and can allow for worry free fixing of many phone and user errors, including lock out.
