How to change your Android PIN or pattern even if you can’t access your phone

PIN code or pattern are two of the ways to put a barrier to entry on any Android mobile. These security methods complement fingerprint unlock access. And you must memorize them in a mandatory way: if you forget you will not be able to access the phone; although there are ways to change both the PIN and the pattern, even if you don’t remember them.

Android offers different security measures so that no one can access the content of your mobile. The most common is fingerprint registration: just put your finger on the screen and it lights up and gives you access to the interior. This, yes, said unlock method must keep an active base, usually the PIN code or a four or six digit number (maybe more). Knowing the phone’s PIN code is mandatory: you will have to enter it from time to time, even if you never restart the mobile. And it helps to know how you can change it, even if you forget.

Always choose a PIN or pattern that you will remember

And that it’s neither obvious (1234, for example) nor built on data that anyone can tell if they know you at all (the year you were born). This applies to the first time you choose the PIN code and also if you decide to change itthis is also valid for the pattern: although it is not as secure as a numeric key, you can make access difficult if you make a bit complex figure.

You will still need to enter the PIN when resetting the phone and every few days of use: your Android will force you to do this as an additional security measure. In case you want to change it because it no longer convinces you, or because you are looking for an easier one to remember (remember the two previous rules), you can choose another numerical code from the options offered by your Android. It is also valid for the pattern and the password (we advise against choosing this method of unlocking, it is a little more tedious).

To change the PIN code of your Android, you must perform the following steps:

• Go to your mobile settings and go to security options. Depending on the brand of your smartphone, it may have a different name, such as “Screen lock and security”.
• Enter the “Screen lock” settings and enter your old PIN or pattern.
• Choose “PIN” to change the one you already had. Write it on the screen and repeat it for your Android to register it.
• It is not recommended to write down this PIN in a place accessible to everyone. A good way to keep it safe is to save it in a cross-platform password manager (just in case you can’t access it from your mobile).
• If you want to switch to another unlock method, you also have the option: you can choose between PIN, pattern and password. We don’t recommend leaving your phone unprotected, although the choice is yours.

In the previous way, you will already have a new PIN code active on your Android: this way you can remember it better or, quite simply, you will have renewed security in case someone around you knows the unlock code. It is strongly recommended to change protection frequently.

The above is valid if you remember your PIN, unlock pattern or password. In case you forgot the process is complicated. And this poses a major problem: you will need to erase the phone.

How to change the PIN code if you can’t access your Android

You’ve restarted your phone, you’re trying to unlock it, and you can’t remember what you chose to access it. Horror! You will not be able to enter directly, since Android does not allow you to retrieve the PIN as you would with any user account. Still, you can access your phone; at the cost of paying a heavy price.

To recover the phone, you need to erase it from your Google account. This results in the loss of everything you haven’t synced to the cloud, including photos, WhatsApp, and contacts.. Usually most of this content is saved by default, you’ll have to cross your fingers.

For change pin code if you can’t access your android mobile you need to do the following:

• Open a browser (preferably desktop), navigate to this Google page, and Sign in to the Google account you registered your Android with.
• Find the mobile you cannot access because you forgot the PIN or pattern.
• You will see that a map is displayed with the location of your phone and different actions to perform. It only works if the mobile is connected: Make sure you are within your usual WiFi coverage or that your Android has mobile connectivity.

• Click on “Erase device data“, sign in again and confirm the remote wipe. Google will erase all information from the phone, including the PIN or pattern.

• Restart the phone and start it with the Google account you had registered the mobile with. Set it to zero and make sure you set an unlock method you won’t forget.