If you’ve forgotten the pattern, PIN, or password that blocks your Android device, you might think you’re out of luck and locked forever.
There are several ways to hack a locked Android smartphone or tablet, but unfortunately there is nothing as simple as the Password Cracker USB sticks that you can get for Windows.
Method 1: Use the Google Find My Device Web Site
For most Android phones and tablets, an integrated service called Find My Device is the best choice.
We noticed that this method does not work on Android 8.0 or higher.
As counter-intuitive as it sounds, click the Lock button as soon as the Find My Device function on your phone is repaired.
After clicking the “Lock” button, you will be asked to enter a new password that will replace the forgotten pattern, PIN or password.
From here, changing the password can take up to 5 minutes. If so, you should be able to enter the new password to unlock your device.
Method 2: Use the Samsung Find My Mobile Service
If you have a Samsung device, a similar service called “Find My Mobile” should be the first thing you try.
Once you’re signed in to your Samsung account, click the “Lock my screen” button in the left pane.
Method 3: Use the Forgotten Pattern lock feature
If your device is running Android 4.4 or lower, try using the Forgot pattern lock feature.
Choose “Enter Google Account Details” (you can go directly to this option, depending on your device) then enter your primary Gmail account and password.
Method 4: Perform a Factory Reset
If you care more about getting into your phone than keeping stored data, a factory reset should work in many scenarios.
The process depends on your device type, but most phones should turn off the device completely.
Then press and hold the power button and tap the volume up button once. Your phone should then go into recovery mode.
If it’s a recent phone, you’ll be asked to sign in with the Google Account and password previously used on the device before it was reset.
Method 5: Use ADB to Delete the Password File
This next option works only if you have previously enabled USB debugging on your phone, and even then it only works if you allow the computer you use to connect through ADB.
Start by connecting your phone to your computer with a USB data cable, and then open a Command Prompt window in your ADB installation directory.
- adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
Next, restart your phone and the screen with the locked lock should be gone so you can access your phone.
Method 6: Start Safe Mode to bypass the third-party lock screen
If the lock screen you want to bypass is a third-party app, not the lock screen, booting into safe mode is the easiest way to get around it.
For most phones, you can boot to safe mode by invoking the power menu from the lock screen and then long pressing the Power Off option.
From here, simply delete or uninstall the data on the third-party lock screen app, and then restart your phone to exit Safe Mode.
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Method 7: Crash the UI of the Lock Screen
If your device is encrypted and runs Android 5.0-5.1.1, there is a way to bypass the password lock screen.
First, tap the “Emergency Call” option on your lock screen and then enter 10 asterisks via the dialer interface.
Next, go back to the lock screen and open the camera shortcut.
Which method worked for you?