6 Ways to Unlock an Android Phone Without Factory Reset

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 28, 2022 Fact Checked

Locked out of your Android phone? The only official way to get back in to your Android if you've forgotten the password or pattern is to erase your data and start over.^{[1]
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Research source} Fortunately, resetting your phone isn't as devastating as it used to be since much of your data is synced to your Google account. But before you reset your Android, try some of these helpful tips for unlocking your phone without performing a factory reset.

Section 1 of 6:

Try a PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint, or Face ID

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These are the default security measures on your phone. If you have multiple security measures set up in advance, you can use any of them to unlock your Android.
- For example, if you have face ID set up but there isn't enough light for your camera to read your face, you can also enter your PIN or swipe a pattern instead.
- Having multiple security measures in place will help you get back into your locked Android should you not be able to unlock it.

Section 2 of 6:

Use Smart Lock with a Trusted Device

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Newer phones (those running at least Android 5.0) have a feature called Smart Lock. Being near a trusted device (like a computer) or within a GPS area will cause the phone to unlock without you needing to input a password.
- To set up Smart Lock and use it, go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and choose the right settings for you.

Section 3 of 6:

Unlock Remotely with Samsung's Find My Mobile

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If you have a Samsung phone and a Samsung account, you can use Find My Mobile to unlock your phone without a factory reset. This feature helps you unlock your Android without entering the unlock PIN from any device. You will need to know your Samsung account information, including your Samsung password (not the PIN to unlock your phone) to do this.
- To use Find My Mobile, go to https://findmymobile.samsung.com in a web browser and sign in. You should see your phone displayed on the right side of the page.
- Click Unlock and you'll be prompted to enter your Samsung account password to unlock the phone remotely.
- After you do this, all your screen lock information (like your PIN, Password, Pattern, and any biometrics) will be deleted.

Section 4 of 6:

Unlock an Older Android with Gmail

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After you've entered the password incorrectly enough times, you'll see a Forgot PIN/Pattern/Passcode button that you can tap to unlock your Android phone with Gmail.

Section 5 of 6:

Try an Android Unlocking App

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Apps like DroidKit, 4uKey, and AndroidUnlock might be helpful, but there's no guarantee they'll get you back into your phone. None of these apps are free, and it's highly unlikely that they'll work for newer Androids with more powerful encryption.

Section 6 of 6:

Use Android Debug Bridge on a Computer

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If you're using an Android running Android 6.0 or earlier and you've already enabled USB debugging in developer mode, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to unlock your phone. You'll need access to a PC or Mac to do this, and you'll also need a USB cable.
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Download the Android SDK Platform Tools. You can download this package from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools. Just click the download link for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) under the "Downloads" header to get started.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Once downloaded, extract the ZIP file to a folder with a name and location that's easy to get to. Make sure you remember the path to the folder, as you'll need to navigate to this folder using the Windows command prompt or your Mac's Terminal. The new folder will contain the command line tools you'll use to communicate with your Android.
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Open the command prompt (PC) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and go to the new folder. Here's how you can do so easily on Windows and macOS:
- Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contains the extracted files. It should be called "platform-tools." Then, hold down the Shift key as you right-click a blank area inside the folder and select Open command window here.^{[3]
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  Research source} If you see "Open PowerShell window here" instead, click that.
- Mac: Open a Terminal and use the cd command to navigate to the new folder (e.g., cd /Users/Yourname/Desktop/platform-tools.
Once connected, your Android should display a message on its screen asking if you'd like to allow USB debugging.
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Tap Allow USB debugging or OK on your Android. This allows you to use ADB to communicate with your Android.
- If you don't see this message, you won't be able to use this method.
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Run the commands to unlock your screen.
- Run the command adb devices if you're using the Windows command prompt, or ./adb devices if you're using PowerShell or a Mac or Linux terminal. You should see at least one attached device that's just a bunch of letters and numbers—that's your Android.
- Run the command adb shell rm /data /system /gesture.key if you're using the Windows command prompt, or ./adb shell rm /data /system /gesture.key if you're using PowerShell or a Mac or Linux terminal.
- Reboot or restart your Android and the lock screen will be gone.

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Warnings

Many newer Androids use Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which may prevent you from getting back into your phone after a factory reset.

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