How to unlock a Samsung smartphone if you have forgotten your password. Forgot your Samsung Galaxy password? There is a way out

On modern smartphones, users most often save photo and video files. In addition, smartphones make it possible to manage electronic payments in a convenient way at any time. For these reasons, the phone needs to provide a certain level of protection - a password.

If you have forgotten the password for your phone, you will not be able to use it. In such cases, you can contact Samsung smartphone repair specialists.

How to unlock a Samsung phone if you forgot your password

But you can unlock the phone yourself by choosing and trying the method that is most suitable for the situation.

Unlocking your phone using your account details

The easiest, simplest and fastest way to unlock a Samsung phone is to use your Google account email. To do this, you need to click on the “Forgot your password?” screen. This function appears after five incorrect attempts to unlock the lock.

The problem may be that not everyone remembers such data. Then restore your data on your computer, and then use it on your smartphone.

Using a PIN

If your version is not newer than Android 5.0, then the additional set of four numbers that you entered when binding the pattern key will help you. If you remember them, then restore access to your device.

Factory reset

If this method does not suit you, you can use the following method - a complete reset of all settings to the factory level. Unfortunately, this method also has side effects - it will lead to the deletion of everything stored in your phone’s memory. Thus, you may lose valuable and necessary documents and files.

To do this, you need to simultaneously press and hold the volume up, power and home buttons.

After “Samsung” appears on the screen, you will be taken to the Recovery menu.

Select the following options: WipeData/FactoryReset, find Yes - delete all user data, and confirm Reboot system now.

To move through the items, use the volume control button, and to select them you need to use the lock button.

Using additional programs

If you took care in advance and linked to your Samsung account, then there is another effective way to unlock a Samsung phone - this is a special program “Samsung @ home 9.41”. In order to use it, you will need to connect your phone using a USB cable to your laptop or PC, launch the program and follow all the instructions specified there. The interface of this program is very clear and accessible, so every owner of a Samsung smartphone can install and use it.

Using Root rights to unlock

Having root rights, you can delete files in the system folder that contain data about active passwords and keys. To do this, you can use the Aroma file manager, which is loaded onto micro-sd. Next, turn on the phone in the Recovery menu mode, install the program and in the system folder delete the files named locksettings.db-shm, locksettings.db-wal, locksetting.db and gesture.key.

But remember, by getting root rights (article How to get root rights), you automatically void your device’s warranty from the manufacturer.

Do you travel a lot and want to be able to use your phone in other countries? Are you tired of your current carrier and want to switch to a new one before your contract ends? Unlocking your Samsung phone allows you to use SIM cards from other operators and connect to their network. You'll be able to unlock your phone by talking to your carrier, but chances are unless there's a contract, they won't give you permission. If this is the case, then you will have to proceed to unlock it through third-party methods or manually if you have the right model. See Step 1 to learn how to do this.

Steps

Contacting your operator

    Call your carrier and ask about their unlocking policy. Most carriers will unlock your phone over time or after your contract ends. If your contract is still valid, they may require you to pay an early termination fee in order to unlock your phone.

    • You can get an unlock quickly if you explain that you need an unlocked phone for overseas business use.
  1. Contact the operator you plan to switch to. Many carriers are happy to unlock your phone if you move away from one of their competitors. Call the carrier you want to switch to and see if you can work out an agreement where they will unlock the phone for you.

    • Make sure the carrier you're switching to uses the same type of network that your phone supports. The two main network types are GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile) and CDMA (Sprint and Verizon).
  2. Look for codes for your Samsung phone. As phones get older, generic unlock codes are often provided by the manufacturer. Search online for your phone model to make sure codes are available. You most likely will not be able to find codes for new phone models.

    Using a paid unlocking service

    1. Get the phone's IME/MEID number. This unique ID number is required when you order unlock codes. Open the dial window and use the keypad to dial *#06#. A screen with a 15-digit code will appear.

      • Copy the code to the end so that you can easily find it later.
    2. Find a reputable unlocking service. There are a huge number of companies on the Internet that claim that they can unlock your phone for a fee. Since you're paying good money to get your phone unlocked, make sure the service you choose is well-reviewed and offers solid warranties.

      Request code. You will be asked to provide your IMEI/MEID number along with your contact and payment information. The amount you'll have to pay depends on the model you unlock and how quickly you can retrieve the code.

      • It may take several days for the code to be restored, as many of these companies rely on contacts with operators.
      • When entering your phone information when asked for a code, make sure everything is 100% accurate so that you receive a code that is appropriate for your device.
    3. Insert a new SIM card. Once you receive your unlock code, turn off your phone and remove your old carrier's SIM card. Then insert a new one from the operator you are switching to. SIM card slots are usually located behind the battery or on the side of the device.

      • Read this guide for more instructions on finding and removing your SIM card.
      • Turn on your phone. You will be prompted to enter an unlock code to connect to the telephone network. Enter the code you received from the unlocking service. You may have to be within range of the new network to be prompted for a code. It depends on the device.
    4. Make sure you are connected. If the code is entered correctly, you should see your phone connected to the new mobile network. If you can't connect to a new network, make sure you're within coverage and then contact your carrier to see if your phone has been properly unlocked.

ATTENTION!!!
I tried to unlock it several times, but something got in the way. I tried five or seven times. But everything is somehow “on the fly.” It seemed like I was doing everything as needed, but it didn’t work.
If you can’t unlock your Samsung C3300, then try to follow a few rules:
Be patient.
Take an hour of time so that no one and nothing distracts you.
Calm down, collect yourself, concentrate.

Remove the SIM card and memory card from the phone. Turn on your phone. Hold the side lock key to release the lock.
Go to dialing mode. Take a close look at the dialing keypad. Remember, memorize the location of the buttons that you will need to type. Don't forget about the * and # buttons.
I recommend starting with the code *2767*2878#. Practice typing the combination. It is not good to distract the emergency call operator by practicing how to quickly and accurately dial the required combination. Read the entire procedure in advance.
Now that you dial the combination quickly and accurately, you know the procedure, you can proceed to dialing the emergency number 112.
Dial 112.
The phone will ask "Emergency call?" Click Yes. The screen will be locked and a corresponding message will appear: “Press the HOLD key to unlock” with the usual image of a lock. But the lock on the screen most likely will not unlock the screen. You need to press and hold the side unlock button. Perhaps after unlocking the screen will be locked again. Unlock the screen again.
Do not pay attention to what the operator or answering machine tells you or does not yet tell you.
To make a keyboard appear for typing a combination on the unlocked screen, press the “Dial” button (the leftmost button of the three “Dial” “Sound” “Contacts”).
Calmly and measuredly type the memorized combination without confusing or missing special characters.
*2767*2878#
The second four digits will not appear on the screen. Only dashes. This is fine. Will look like *2767*----
If everything was done correctly, a corresponding message in English “E2P Custom reset” will appear on the screen.
DO NOT PRESS ANYTHING! WAIT while the phone completes the necessary actions. The operator will swear, you can say “Sorry, we dialed by accident”, he will hang up, but this is no longer important for the phone.

If this combination does not help, then try again with the combination *2767*3855#
But remember that after it the phone will become the same as when it was taken out of the box.

PS: Do not confuse removing the phone lock code with other locks. The PIN code of the SIM card can only be entered three times, after which the SIM card is blocked, which can only be unlocked by knowing the PUK (usually indicated under the erasable cover on the card from which you removed the SIM card). If you do not know the PIN and PUK, contact your telecom operator. There are no other options.
Another option is that the phone is tied to a specific telecom operator and begins to require an unlock code when installing a SIM card from another telecom operator. Perhaps using the combination *2767*3855# will help you.


To protect access to your smartphone, Android OS provides the ability to set a password on the lock screen. The user can choose the password form: text, numeric or graphic key. Often, users forget the set code words and numbers and cannot unlock the phone if they have forgotten the password. For such cases, the developers have provided several effective ways to restore access to the device.

Pay attention! Some methods may not be suitable for your phone model due to differences in operating system versions or lack of Internet connection or rights. We recommend performing all the methods described below one by one, skipping those that are not suitable for your smartphone model.

Reset your password using your Google Account

To successfully complete this method, you will need to remember your login information to which your smartphone is linked. This method is the easiest and fastest option for resetting a forgotten password on Android OS. After several incorrect attempts to enter the code, the message “You have entered an incorrect PIN” will appear on the screen. Try again in 30 seconds." Click OK.

Immediately after the timer starts, the “Forgot your password?” button will appear in the character entry window. Click on it. Then, in the new window, enter your email address and password to sign in to your Google account. After confirming your identity, the PIN will be reset and the desktop will open.

If your gadget is not connected to the global network, you can use the following trick. On some Android smartphones, you can open the notification center shade. Click on the "Wi-Fi" icon. The phone will connect to the router automatically if you have previously established a connection to this router. This way you will connect your phone to the Internet even when it is locked. Similarly, you can connect the gadget to the 3G network by clicking on the corresponding icon.

Unlocking Samsung Galaxy smartphones

Users of Samsung Galaxy smartphones can easily restore access to a phone with a forgotten password using the standard Find My Mobile function. A prerequisite is that the Internet connection must be turned on on the locked smartphone. To reset your password remotely, you will need a computer or any other smartphone. Follow the instructions:
Also, we wrote an article: .
After a successful unlock, a corresponding notification will appear on the web page. Take your phone, its screen will be unlocked and the password will be reset. To set up a new code word or pattern, use the gadget settings. Along with the access password, we recommend setting a fingerprint unlock. This way you can instantly unlock your device even if you forget the passcode.

Performing a Hard Reset

This method allows you to reset a forgotten key, even on a smartphone without an Internet connection and without root rights. The advantage of this method is the quick recovery of the gadget without extraneous programs and functions, the disadvantage is that all files and applications will be deleted from the smartphone. Before resetting, we recommend that you remove a removable memory card from your phone so as not to lose all the information recorded on it. Don't forget to remove the SIM card, otherwise the numbers will be deleted.

Follow the instructions:

  1. Turn off the device and activate Recovery mode;
  2. In smartphones, this mode can be invoked in different ways. It all depends on the gadget model and the installed firmware version. Most often, you need to hold down the “Volume Up” and “Power” key combination for 10-15 seconds. The combination “Volume Up” + “Volume Down” + “Power” can be used;
  3. A line menu will appear on the smartphone screen. In 95% of cases it will be displayed in English;
  4. Navigate between lines by pressing the volume keys. Select is the power button. Select "factory reset/wipe data".
The data reset will begin automatically and will take up to 5 minutes. Next, the phone will reboot. You'll need to do the initial setup by logging into your existing Google account. If you previously created a backup copy of your data, you can use it to restore all lost files and programs.

For Sony Xperia smartphones

Manufacturers often come up with simple ways to restore access to the desktop. If an entire service for tracking phones with the ability to reset passwords was developed for Samsung Galaxy, then Sony decided to do something much simpler and created a simple code for resetting pattern keys and codes.

The combination works on all Xperia series phones. On the display, open the emergency call window by pressing the button of the same name. Enter code *#*#7378423#*#*. You can use it to call up the manufacturer's service menu. Then click on the “Service Test” tab. A new options window will open. In it, select “NFC” - “Dag Test”. After completing the task, click on the “Home” button. You will be redirected to your smartphone's desktop.

When enabled, this feature automatically unlocks your screen when at least one of the conditions you specify is met. For example, if the device is located at your home or another device of yours is connected to it via Bluetooth.

You may have previously set up Smart Lock but forgot about it. In this case, remember the given condition and fulfill it. For example, if you have added one of the Bluetooth devices to the list of trusted devices on your smartphone, turn on the wireless module on both. Once connected, the phone can be unlocked without entering a PIN, password or key.

If Smart Lock has not been configured in advance or you cannot meet the specified condition, then this method is not suitable.

2. Bypass protection using a Google account

Some devices with older versions of Android (before 5.0 Lollipop) allow you to bypass the screen lock using your Google Account. But for this, the device must be connected to the Network. To check if your smartphone supports this method, enter any password, PIN or pattern five times.

After five incorrect entry attempts, the message “Forgot your password?” should appear on the screen. or similar hint. Click on this inscription and enter the username and password for the Google account that is the main one on your smartphone. After successfully logging in, you can specify a new password or set up a different screen lock method.

If you also forgot your Google account password, try to restore access to it using the company’s special service.

3. Use the service from the smartphone manufacturer

Some brands offer owners of their devices additional unlocking tools. For example, Samsung has a Find My Mobile service, with which you can remove a pattern, PIN, password, and even a fingerprint. To do this, your device must be linked to your Samsung account, support the service, and be online.

To find out whether such services exist for your model, look for this information in the instructions or on the manufacturer’s official website.

4. Reset the device to factory settings

If other options do not work, all that remains is to return to factory settings. This will lead to the loss of all data, copies of which are not saved in your Google account and others. But you can remove the protection from the screen.

Turn off your smartphone and remove the memory card if it was inside. Then try these key combinations in turn until one of them works (you need to press all the buttons and hold them for about 10-15 seconds):

  • Volume down key + power button;
  • Volume up key + power button;
  • Volume Down key + Power button + Home key;
  • Volume down key + Volume up key + Power button.

When the service menu appears on the display, select Recovery, and then the Wipe data / factory reset command. If none of the key combinations work or you don't see the necessary commands in the menu, look for reset instructions specific to your device model.

After this, the smartphone should return to factory settings within a few minutes. The device may request a login and password from a previously connected Google account, but you will no longer need to unlock the screen. After logging into your old account, the system will restore the settings and data synchronized with it.

All of the unlocking methods listed above are suitable not only for smartphones, but also for Android tablets.

How to unlock iPhone

If you have forgotten the password for your iOS device, you have only one option - reset to factory settings. You can do it in two ways: using iCloud and through iTunes. The first one will only work if you previously enabled the Find My iPhone function on your smartphone. For the second, you will need a USB cable and a computer with iTunes installed.

In both cases, you will delete not only the password, but also all data from the device. But if you have a backup of your iPhone, then after resetting you can restore the information saved in it: calendars, contacts, notes, SMS, settings and shopping lists in iTunes and the App Store. Personal photos and videos will also not be lost if you previously synchronized them with your computer or iCloud.

1. Reset iPhone to factory settings using iCloud

To check if Find My iPhone is active on your smartphone, connect it to the Internet. Then log into your Apple ID account on the iCloud website using your computer and click on the “Find iPhone” icon.

If you don't have a computer at hand, but have an iPad, iPod touch, or another iPhone, you can use the standard Find My iPhone application on any of these gadgets. It works the same as the web version in iCloud.

If Find My iPhone is active, you'll immediately see your locked iPhone (in the app) or select it from the All Devices list (on the iCloud website). If the device is not displayed, proceed to the second method. Otherwise, continue.

Click on the smartphone icon, and then on the “Erase iPhone” button and follow further prompts.

This will remove your passcode and all data from your device, allowing you to set up your iPhone again.

2. Reset iPhone to factory settings via iTunes

Launch iTunes on your computer, then connect your smartphone to it using a USB cable.

If you have previously synced your iPhone with this computer, click on the smartphone icon in iTunes. In the menu that opens, sync again and create a fresh backup of the device on your computer. Then click “Restore from a copy...”, select the newly created image and follow the system prompts until complete recovery.

If you've never synced your iPhone with your current computer, or iTunes also asks for a password, then most likely you won't be able to create a new backup. But you can do a reset in a special mode, and then restore the device from old copies (if any). Follow these steps to reset:

1. Force restart your iPhone.

On iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and older models, hold down the Home key and the top (or side) button for 10 seconds or more until the recovery screen appears.

On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, hold down the Side key and the Volume Down button for 10 seconds or more until you see the recovery screen.

On an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, hold and immediately release the volume up key and then the volume down key. After that, press and hold the Side button until the recovery screen appears.

2. When the recovery dialog box appears on your computer display, click “Restore” and follow the iTunes prompts.

3. If the iPhone exits recovery mode while iTunes is downloading the necessary files from the Internet, press and hold the force restart buttons again until the device returns to this mode.

Although the instructions for both reset methods are based on the iPhone, they will also work if you suddenly forget your iPad password.

Of course, today graphic password protection is one of the most reliable, but when working with it, the question often arises related to how to unlock the phone if you forgot the graphic password. The fact is that users very often simply forget what they entered before. On the Internet you can find many ways to solve this problem. But only a few of them work.

Therefore, this article will describe only those methods that really work and that other RuNet users have experienced.

Standard method

If your phone is connected to a Google account, bypassing the picture password is easy. And if on your device the version Android older than 5.0, this is true, because then the connection to all necessary Google services occurs automatically. True, you still need to enter your login and password, but usually this happens when you turn on the phone for the first time, and after two or three days of use, the person already forgets that he has logged in somewhere.

In any case, if you are registered with Google, you must do the following:

  • Enter the wrong password several times and do this until the message “Forgot your pattern key?” appears on the screen. It is quite possible that this message will not appear immediately and you will have to enter the wrong keys, then wait 30 seconds and enter the same keys again. In any case, when such an inscription appears, you need to click on it.
  • After clicking on the inscription “Forgot your pattern key?” the system will prompt you to enter your username and password for your Google account, as shown in Figure 1.

  • After the password and login are accepted, you can enter a new graphic key.
  • Next, all that remains is to try to unlock the phone again by entering a new pattern key. To follow these instructions, you must have an Internet connection. If you do not have access to the World Wide Web, you should use the following method.

Phone call

This is a very simple, almost impossible method, which consists of making a call to a locked phone. If your device has Android version 2.2 or less installed, during a conversation you will be able to go to the “Settings” menu item, then select “Security” and disable entering the pattern altogether.

In some later versions of Android, it is also possible to go to the menu directly while making a call and perform certain actions there. If the user manages to enter the screen lock menu, he will see something like the one shown in Figure 2. There you just have to click on the “Unprotect” button.

This method is also very simple and does not require much effort. There is another equally simple method that allows you to unlock your phone if you have forgotten your pattern password.

Wait for the low battery message

This method is suitable for those who have considerable patience and endurance. It consists of simply waiting until the battery is discharged and the phone will display a corresponding message about this. And when this message appears, you need to click on the message itself, which is shown in Figure No. 3. This will open the battery status window, which may vary depending on the operating system version. But we are not particularly interested in the appearance of the menu. You should exit it, then go, again, to “Settings”, then select “Security” and disable entering the pattern key, as described above.

It is worth saying that this method and the method with a phone call can be used even if there is no connection to the World Wide Web. But for the method described above with authorization in Google, you still need an Internet connection. If there is no money in your account and you can’t find a wi-fi point nearby, it’s better to insert another card with money in your account. After this, you will need to try to log in to Google again.

You can also connect to the Internet using LAN. The fact is that in all cases it is better to use the same standard method. The rest are dangerous because the user can do something wrong and disrupt the operation of the entire operating system due to his inexperience. There are also a number of methods designed for certain models of mobile phones. Let's look at the most common of them.

Unique ways to bypass picture passwords

Each company adds certain unique features to its devices. Let's look at ways to bypass the graphic key for various companies. It is important to immediately note that in almost all cases the graphic password will be reset along with all other data!

Samsung

HTC

In this case, you also need to open the system menu and find a command there that contains the words “factory reset”. Only access to this very system menu occurs differently depending on the model. The menu itself looks something like what is shown in Figure 5.

After opening PC Companion, you will need to do the following:

  • Click the “Start” button under the “Support Zone” menu item (shown in Figure No. 7).

  • Under the words “Software Update” you need to click the “Start” button.

  • In the window that opens, you need to click on the inscription “restore phone/tablet” (highlighted by an arrow in Figure No. 9). After this, you need to click the “Continue” button (highlighted with a blue frame in the same figure).

  • Now you need to click the “Next” button several times, read the terms and conditions and “Agree”. The important thing to remember here is that all data will be deleted.
  • In the window shown in Figure 10, you must select your phone model and click the “Next” button.

  • Now you need to follow the instructions that the program will indicate. These instructions may vary slightly for different models. An example of such a window is shown in Figure 11. According to the instructions shown in that figure, you need to disconnect the USB cable, then turn off the device and wait 5 seconds, then connect the phone again using the USB cable while holding down the volume down key. This is also true for most other Sony models.

  • Now you just have to wait for the installation of the new software to finish. After it is completed, the system will display a corresponding message.

Now the graphic password along with other settings will be reset and you can set it again.

LG

On LG brand phones You also need to go to the system menu and find the “Factory data reset” command there. The appearance of the system menu on one of the models is shown in Figure 12.

To get to this very system menu, you need to take various actions depending on the model:

  • Nexus 4- press and hold the volume buttons and the power button at the same time until the Android logo becomes visible;
  • - simultaneously press the “Home” button and two volume control buttons;
  • Optimus Hub- simultaneously press the volume down button, the “Home” button and the power button.

In some cases, immediately select “Factory data reset”. Instead, a menu will open where you will need to click Recovery Mode, and then click the power button. After this, the Android logo will again be visible, after which you will need to press the power button and the volume up button again at the same time and hold them until a menu appears in which you need to select the “Settings” item. And there you can find the familiar and necessary “Factory Data Reset” item. In particular, this algorithm is relevant for Nexus 4. In other cases, it is best to read the instructions for the phone. In addition, instructions for each phone model can be found on the official LG website or on other sites.

Huawei

Holders Huawei brand phones You will need to download a program called HiSuite. You can do this directly on the program’s official website – hisuite.ru. After the program is installed, you need to connect your phone to the computer, open HiSuite, select the “Contacts” menu item there (highlighted with a blue frame in Figure No. 13). After this, you will need to select “My e-mail”. This will allow you to simply find out your email address. Now you can use the standard method for such cases - repeatedly entering the wrong graphic password and authorizing in Google services.

Below you can see how in practice a reset to factory settings occurs on one of the Samsung phone models.



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