It will be more or less complicated depending on the version of the operating system you use, but we have already told you that it is most likely that you will have to reset the phone from the factory to be able to reset unlock code. Be that as it may, we are going to see the two possible cases and what options you have.
If you have Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher
Let’s start with the most probable and, unfortunately, most complicated case: that you have Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher (i.e. 6 Marshmallow, 7 Nougat, 8 Oreo, 9 Pie, 10, Android 11, Android 12, or Android 13). If you don’t know what version of Android you use on your mobile, here we show you how to find out.
With the release of Android 5.0 LollipopGoogle got rid of the system that used your google account to recover the phone in case you have forgotten your PIN code or password. That is good and bad at the same time. Well, because it secures your data and prevents a third party from forcibly unlocking your phone. Bad, because it forces you to do a factory reset in order to recover the phone if all options fail.
But before we reset, let’s try a couple of things. Do you remember activating Google Smart Lock? This system was implemented in Android 5.0 Lollipop (and from then on) and allows bypass phone lock when we are in a specific location, near a trusted device or when it detects our voice. If you configured it at the time, you may have an outlet there. If you haven’t, you already have a reason to do so when you get your phone back.
Another option is use manufacturer’s tools. Companies like Samsung allow you to unlock the screen using Find My Mobile from a web browser. Simply sign in with the same Samsung account you entered on your phone and select the appropriate option. If you have a Samsung mobile, it is an option to consider.
If neither option works, touch factory reset
If you have not set up Google Smart Lock and there is no tool from the manufacturer that allows you to unlock the phone screen, It’s time to factory reset the mobile. Remember that this will erase all mobile data, so it is better to have made a full backup before. You can reset it remotely if the phone is connected to the Internet. For it:
- Go to the website “find my device” and sign in with the same Google account you set up your phone with.
- In the list of mobiles that will appear, search and select yours.
- Click on “Consider erasing the contents of the device”.
- Select “Yes, delete”.
When you do this, the phone will reset automatically erasing everything inside it (whatever is on the SD card, if there is one inside, will stay where it is). When it’s done, you’ll simply have to enter your Google account again and set it up like you did when you got it out of the box. If the mobile does not have Internet access, you will have to do it manually using the Recovery mode.
If you have Android 4.4 KitKat or lower
Let’s continue with the least likely case: that you have Android 4.4 KitKat (the version of Android that was released in October 2013) or an earlier version. We say unlikely because only 10.4% of Android devices globally have any of the older versions of Android. The most normal thing is that you have Android 8 Oreo or 9 Pie, especially if you bought your phone between 2017 and 2019, ergo you will have to use the process in the previous section.
But let’s say the stars have aligned and, for whatever reason, you have Android 4.4 KitKat or lower. To recover the phone, you simply have to enter the wrong PIN or password five times in a row. By doing so, the mobile will show the option “Forgot your password” and will allow you to log in to your Google account and receive a code.
Enter your Google account and enter the code that you will have received by mail. That should be enough to access the phone, back up all your data, and then yes, reset the phone so you can reset the PIN or password. If you don’t, you will have to resort to this system every time you lock the screen.