Although the vast majority of Android phones today include [lector de huellas]https://www.igamesnews.com/aplicaciones-android/seis-aplicaciones-para-lector-fingerprints-tu-android-do-much-to-unblock it) and face unlock, you may not have not configured either of them systems and use of the classic PIN code, pattern of your points or password. If so, you run the risk of forgetting it and having to find a solution to access the mobile again.
It will be more or less complicated depending on the version of the operating system you are using, but we have already told you that it is very likely that you will have to factory reset the phone to be able to reset unlock code. Anyway, let’s 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 the 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 do not know which version of Android you are using on your mobile, here we show you how to find out.
With the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google got rid of the system that used your google account to recover the phone in case you forgot your PIN or password. It’s 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.
Smart Lock can save you from resetting if you set it up previously
But before resetting, let’s try a few things. Do you remember activating Google Smart Lock? This system was implemented in Android 5.0 Lollipop (and later) and allows bypass phone lock when we are in a specific location, near a trusted device or when it detects our voice. If you set it up at the time, you might have an outlet there. If not, you already have a reason to do so when you pick up your phone.
Another option is use manufacturer’s tools. Companies like Samsung let you 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, this is an option to consider.
If none of the options work, tap factory reset
If you have not set up Google Smart Lock and there are no manufacturer tools 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 done a full backup before. You can reset it remotely if the phone is connected to the internet. For it:
- Go to the “Find My Device” website and sign in with the same Google account you set up your phone with.
- In the list of mobiles that will appear, find 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 on it (what’s on the SD card, if there’s one inside, will stay where it is). When it’s done, you’ll just need to re-enter your Google account and set it up like you did when you took it out of the box. If the mobile does not have Internet access, you will have to do it manually using Recovery mode.
If you have Android 4.4 KitKat or earlier
Let’s continue with the least probable case: that you have Android 4.4 Kit Kat (the version of Android released in October 2013) or earlier. We say unlikely because only 10.4% of Android devices worldwide have one 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, so you will have to use the process in the previous section.
It would be rare if your mobile has Android 4.4 KitKat or earlier
But let’s say the stars have aligned and for some reason you have Android 4.4 KitKat or lower. To retrieve the phone, all you have to do is enter the wrong PIN or password five times in a row. By doing so, the mobile will show the “Forgot password” option and allow you to sign in to your Google account and receive a code.
Enter your Google account and enter the code you will have received by email. This 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’ll have to resort to this system every time you lock the screen.
