5 Ways to Unlock an Android Phone If You Forgot the PIN

Gideon Byron Published on September 01, 2025Unlock Android3-min reading

Imagine this: you pick up your phone, promising yourself a look at a message, when your mind goes blank on the PIN. A single mistake multiplies to three, and then you are faced with a locked screen and anxiety. Everyone has this happen to them, not just first-time Android users but long-term users who are using two or more Android devices. In this guide, we will walk through how to unlock an Android phone if you have forgotten the PIN using simple yet effective methods. Whether it is by an inbuilt recovery device or through remote llog-oncapabilities, you should have a solution that does not see you sweating or losing what you had in store.

In this article:

Method 1. Unlock Android PIN and Any Screen Locks [Super Easy]
Method 2. Unlock Android with Smart Lock When You Forget PIN
Method 3. How to Unlock a Phone Using Find My Device/Find My Mobile
Method 4. How to Unlock an Android Phone with the Forget PIN Feature
Method 5. Reset Phone When Forgot PIN

Methods	User Friendliness Level	Internet Required	Risk of Data Loss	Additional Requirements	Best Used for
imyPass iPassGo	Easiest	Yes	No	Windows or Mac with software installed	Users who want a quick, no-tech-knowledge solution
Smart Lock	Easy	Yes	No	Needs to be set up	Users who have already enabled Smart Lock on their device
Find My Device/Mobile	Average	Yes	No, unless you pick the factory reset	The device must be linked to a Google or Samsung Account	Users who have online access and account sync enabled
Forget Pin Feature	Average	No	No	Account Credentials	Users who remember their Google login
Resetting Phone	Difficult	No	Yes	Access to Recovery Mode	Users with no other options available

Method 1. Unlock Android PIN and Any Screen Locks [Super Easy]

When exploring how to unlock an Android phone pin without a factory reset, imyPass AnyPassGo offers a direct and efficient solution. This GUI utility executes on the desktop and applies sophisticated bypass procedures to eliminate a range of lock types, comprising PIN, pattern, password, and biometric locks, without firing off a data wipe. After the USB connection, the software recognizes your model of device, loads the given configuration, and provides a safe unlocking procedure. Its context-sensitive interface guarantees that first-time users easily understand the steps, while also with the accuracy and consistency that more experienced users demand.

Step 1

Firstly, you need to download the version of AnyPassGo to your PC by clicking the download button that we have here. Then, follow the instructions to install and set it up, then launch it afterwards.

Free Download

Step 2

Select the Remove Screen Password and pick the brand of your device, so it will know what version it is dealing with.

Step 3

After selecting the brand, connect it to the computer using the charging cable you have right now. If you have trouble connecting the device, then tick The device is connected but cannot be recognized?

Step 4

Here, click the Remove Now button to erase the lock that is activated on your phone. Once it is successfully removed, you will get a notification on your screen and click OK.

Method 2. Unlock Android with Smart Lock When You Forget PIN

If you have enabled Smart Lock, it can help when the Android's enter pin to unlock not working becomes a problem. This feature lets your device stay unlocked in trusted conditions, such as at your home address, connected to a specific Bluetooth device, or when it recognizes you as the user.

Step 1

On your Android phone, open Settings and go to Security or Lock Screen on Samsung devices.

Step 2

Tap Smart Lock and enter your current screen lock credentials if prompted.

Step 3

Choose a Smart Lock method such as Trusted Devices, Trusted Places, or On-Body Detection based on what you set up earlier.

Step 4

Trigger the configured condition, such as going to your saved home location or connecting to a paired device, and your phone should unlock automatically without a PIN.

Method 3. How to Unlock a Phone Using Find My Device/Find My Mobile

Google's Find My Device service, once known as Android Device Manager, is designed to help you locate, secure, or erase your Android if it is lost or stolen. But it can also serve as a last-resort option when you cannot access your device. If you are wondering how to unlock a tablet pin lock if forgotten, this method works for both phones and tablets by performing a remote factory reset.

Step 1

Using a PC or another mobile device, open the Google Find My Device website and sign in using the account linked to your locked device.

Step 2

From the connected devices, choose the one you need to unlock.

Step 3

Select Erase Device, confirm the action, and wait for the process to complete. Once done, you can set a new lock method and regain access.

Step 4

Note that it will remove all data on the device and reset it. In case Find My Device was not activated earlier, this solution will not solve the problem.

Method 4. How to Unlock an Android Phone with the Forget PIN Feature

If you are wondering how to unlock a tablet pin lock if forgotten on older Android devices, the built-in Forget PIN option might be your solution. Available on Android 4.4 or earlier, it lets you bypass the Android lock screen with your Google account credentials, no extra tools required. This method is not known on newer Android versions due to stricter security, but it is still a quick fix for compatible models.

Step 1

Enter the wrong PIN, pattern, or password several times until the Forgot PIN, Forgot Pattern, or Forgot Password button appears.

Step 2

Tap it, then sign in with the Google account and password linked to your device.

Step 3

Once verified, your phone will unlock, and you can set a new PIN.

Method 5. Reset Phone When Forgot PIN

If all other options fail, and how to unlock an Android phone with a forgotten PIN is still on your mind, performing a factory reset through Android Recovery Mode can give you a fresh start. This process erases all user data, including the lock code, and restores your device to its original settings. While it means starting from scratch, you can set a new PIN, pattern, or password during the setup.

Step 1

Boot your phone into Android Recovery Mode, check your device manual or manufacturer's site for the exact button combination.

Step 2

With the volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then assure with the power button and choose Yes - delete all user data.

Step 3

Select Reboot system now and complete the setup, creating a new lock method in the process. Resetting the Android phone when it is locked should always be your last resort if you are unable to fix the problem.

Conclusion

Surely, there are ways to learn how to unlock an Android phone pin without a Factory Reset, especially if you cherish the data stored on it and want to unlock it. Instead of resorting to factory resetting the device, you can use the other options that we have mentioned here that will surely help you solve this issue.

Gideon Byron

Gideon is a senior editor from imyPass. He is an expert in unlocking phones and computers, and he has written password tutorials in imyPass for 3 years.