How to Reset Android Lock Screen Password and PIN

It can be easy to forget your Android password or PIN. This guide explains how to reset a lock screen password and PIN on most Android devices manufactured by Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others.

Use Samsung SmartThings Find

If you own a Samsung device and registered it with your Samsung account, you're in luck. You can use SmartThings Find to reset access to your device. The downside to this method is that it only works if you already set up the remote controls feature.

1. Open SmartThings Find and sign in.

2. Select your device and choose Unlock.

   

3. The screen lock information on your device is deleted. This could be the pattern, PIN, password, or biometrics that you originally set up.

Use Minimal ADB and Fastboot

One of the easiest ways to reset your lock screen is to use special commands available with Minimal ADB and Fastboot. The catch here is that this method only works on rooted Android phones.

If you've never used this tool before, take some time to learn about setting up Minimal ADB and Fastboot. Once you've followed the instructions to enable USB debugging on your phone and you have the Minimal ADB command window open, enter ADB devices to confirm you're connected to your phone.

1. Type adb shell and press Enter.

2. Enter the following commands one line at a time, pressing Enter after each one to submit them.

    cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databasessqlite3 settings.db
   

    update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
   

    update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';.quit
   

3. Reboot your phone and the lock screen will be reset.

Reset Your Android Device

If nothing else works, your last resort to recover your device is to reset it. The downside to this is huge: you'll lose all your apps and other files. The upside? You won't have to buy a new phone or tablet.

It is possible to do a factory reset in recovery mode if you can't get past the lock screen. However, a faster and simpler method is to use Google's Find My Device:

1. Open the Find My Device website and log in to your Google account.

2. Choose the device you're locked out of.

3. Select Erase Device in the left panel.

   

4. Confirm your Google password if asked.

5. Read the warnings (and then re-read them to be sure!). When you're ready, select Erase Device.

6. Once you've erased your phone or tablet, it reboots automatically. The next time you start the device, log in to your Google account and set it up just as you did when you first bought it.

Use 'Forgot Pattern'

If you're using an older version of Android, specifically Android 4.4 KitKat or older, the ability to reset the lock screen password is built into the lock screen itself. Enter the incorrect pattern a few times and you'll see Forgot pattern. Select that, then log in to your Google account to reset the lock screen pattern.