If you’re locked out of your smartphone, there are a few ways to get in. Perhaps you remember the backup passcode or fingerprint scanner? If not, there are a few other methods you can try.

If you restart your device, you will need to input a new passcode before you can continue using your biometric options. ..

We’re here to help you get back into your smartphone as quickly as possible. There are several methods you can use to do so, but we recommend checking out your options below.

Erase Device with Google ‘Find My Device’

If you don’t have the information on your device backed up, you can erase all of it and set it back to factory settings like when it was first purchased. This is a touchy option if you don’t have the information on your device backed up, but it is an effective way to get back into a locked device.

If you have lost your phone, you can use the Google Find My Device service to find it. This service uses your Google account to track your phone’s location and status. ..

If your device is not detected by the service, click the refresh option until it is detected. If your device is logged into your Google account, it will eventually pick up the device. ..

If you have a Google account, follow these steps:

  1. Erase device by selecting it and pressing the Erase button.
  2. You will be directed to a Google login page where you will have to enter your Google account information. Do this and the process will begin.
  3. Once complete, you will be able to set up your smartphone as a new device and set up a passcode you can remember. ..

Factory Reset

This will erase all information on the device and take it back to factory settings. However, it is an option you can employ without having to access the Google Find My Device page.

To boot a device into Recovery mode, you must first power it down. To do this, you can either hold the power button and volume down button together or press the power button and then hold the volume up button. ..

Some devices require you to hold the power button and the volume up button to access the bootloader.

In order to enter Recovery Mode, use the volume keys to navigate to the Recovery Mode screen and press the power button. On the Recovery Mode screen, navigate to Wipe data/factory reset.

To confirm the option and your device will restart and wipe all your data. Once complete, you will be able to set up your smartphone as a new device with a passcode you can remember.

If you have an Android device that requires you to input your email and password before resetting it, be sure to do so before proceeding. Resetting your device should go smoothly without any issues.

Safe Mode Option

If you’re having trouble accessing your phone or if you just want to be extra safe, try using safe mode to disable all third-party applications while you’re logged in. This way, you’ll be sure that no unauthorized person can access your device. ..

To reboot into safe mode on your smartphone, long press the power button and then select the “Power off” option. This will immediately bring up a prompt asking if you want to reboot into safe mode. Select okay and your device will reboot.

If you’re having trouble accessing your home screen or third-party lock screen, please try resetting your device to safe mode. From here you can clear the password or uninstall the app. If you still can’t access your home screen or lock screen, please contact your device’s manufacturer for assistance.

Unlock with Samsung ‘Find My

Mobile’ website

Samsung has a Find My Mobile page that allows users to reset their passcode and regain access to their smartphone. The page is available on a web browser from a computer, tablet, or another smartphone.

To lock your Samsung screen, sign in to your Samsung account and select the Lock My Screen option. You will see an option to enter a new PIN. Input a new PIN code and select the Lock option.

To log into your device, use this new PIN:

  1. Log into your device using the new PIN.
  2. Keep in mind the code is specific to Find My Mobile service.
  3. Update to a permanent passcode in your device’s security settings to maintain access to your smartphone

Access Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

If you’re not familiar with rooting and ADB, it’s best to not attempt this option. ..

If you’re not using your device’s encryption by default, resetting your password through ADB is a quick and near plug and play method. It essentially deletes the password file on your smartphone, allowing login directly to the home screen upon restart.

To connect your smartphone to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer via a USB data cable:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer via a USB data cable.
  2. Open a command prompt window and type “adb devices”.
  3. If the “adb devices” command doesn’t work, try “adb connect”.

If you have a Mac or Linux computer, you can open a Terminal window, which is found in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.

If you have not already done so, please update your phone to a permanent passcode. This will help protect your device from being accessed without a passcode.

‘Forgot Pattern’ option

This option is for older phones that run Android 4.4 or earlier, but if your device meets the requirement, it is a good option for easily gaining access to your phone. The Forgot Pattern feature is exclusive to the pattern style passcode.

If you have a security question or a backup PIN set up, you can use this new method to reset your passcode. After five failed attempts, you will be notified with the option to unlock your device with a security question or to wait 30 seconds to try again. If you have a security question or a backup PIN set up and remember its details, that is also an option. ..

If you forgot your Google account password, please enter your Gmail username and password below.

Select Sign In and you will be able to create a new pattern passcode. You can save the new pattern passcode and use it to login to your device again.

If you have an older Android phone that is encrypted and running a version between Android 5.0 and 5.1.1, there is a way to bypass the lock screen and gain access to your phone. This option was fixed on older Android versions, but if you have the right software, it can be a nifty way to get around security measures. ..

The new update to the iOS operating system essentially crashes the lock screen user interface, which allows users to bypass the passcode requirement and log into their devices. Please keep in mind this option is very temperamental and it may not work for everyone. ..

10 asterisks = Emergency Call

I copied and pasted the asterisks until I could no longer highlight them.

After this, open the camera and access your drop-down notifications menu. From here, you will be asked to input a password.

Your device will crash and open to its home screen if you do not paste your previously copied asterisks into the password field.