How to Unlock a Phone when You Forget Its Passcode

If you have lost or forgotten the password for your iPhone, you can regain access with iTunes Backup and Restore or by placing the phone into Recovery Mode. If you're using Android 4.4 or earlier, you'll be able to reset your login pattern as long as you can log into your Google Account. If you no longer have access to your Google account, you can perform a factory reset. Android 5.0 and later users will need to erase all of the data on their phones to get back in.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Android 5.0 and Later

Download Article

1
Visit Android Device Manager in a web browser. This method will erase the content from your phone. As of Android 5.0, Google has removed the ability to bypass the lock code without wiping the content.^{[1]XResearch source} You'll be able to get back into your phone, but you will lose any data (such as music and photos) saved to the device.
- This method will only work if you have Android Device Manager enabled on your phone.
- If you are unable to unlock your phone with this method, learn how to perform a factory reset on your Android..
Use the same Google account information that is associated with your Android phone.
Advertisement
If you have more than one Android associated with this Google account (such as older phones), you will see a list of devices from which to choose.
Remember that this method will erase the data on your device.
The device will now restore back to its original factory settings. This will take several minutes.
You'll now be walked through a setup process for your phone as if it were new.^{[2]XResearch source}
Once setup is complete and you've arrived at the home screen, create a new lock password or pattern.
Choose the type of screen lock you want to use, and then follow the prompts to create your new passcode.^{[3]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Android 4.4 and Earlier

Download Article

This method will only work if you have a pattern-type passcode set up on Android 4.4 (KitKat) or below.^{[4]XResearch source} After five unsuccessful unlock attempts, you will see a link that says “Forgot Pattern?”
Now you will have the opportunity to sign into your phone using the Google username and password associated with your phone.^{[5]XResearch source}
If the username and password are correct, you should now be logged back into your Android.
When you logged in with your account information, your previous lock pattern was deactivated. Now you can create a new code that you'll remember.
Here you will select the type of screen lock you want to use, then follow the prompts to create a new password or pattern.^{[6]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using iTunes Backup and Restore

Download Article

1
Connect your iPhone to iTunes. If you fail to unlock your iPhone after six tries, you will see a message that says “Device is Disabled”.^{[7]XResearch source} To get back into your phone, connect it to the computer on which you use iTunes, then open iTunes.
- If you see the message “iTunes could not connect to [your device] because it is locked with a passcode” or “You haven't chosen to have [your device] trust this computer, try a different computer you've synced with in the past.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If there is no secondary computer, see Using iPhone Recovery Mode.
2
Sync your iPhone with iTunes. If your iPhone is configured to sync automatically, it should begin to sync. If your phone does not sync automatically:
- Click your iPhone.
^{[9]XResearch source}
Now that you've synced a backup of your iPhone content to the computer, you'll be able to reset your iPhone back to its original settings. When the restore is complete, the Setup screen will appear on your iPhone.^{[10]XResearch source}
Now you'll move through setting up your iPhone as though it's a new device. This is where you'll set your location, set up Wi-Fi, and create a brand new passcode.^{[11]XResearch source} Once you arrive at the “Apps & Data” screen, you'll have the option to restore from your backup.
The next few steps will be performed on the computer in iTunes.
Click the iPhone icon in the top left corner of iTunes to select the device.^{[12]XResearch source}
If you see more than one backup listed, make sure you choose the one that reflects today's date.^{[13]XResearch source}
When the restoration is complete, all of your data will be back on your iPhone.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using iPhone Recovery Mode

Download Article

1
Connect your iPhone to iTunes. If your iPhone was disabled as the result of multiple failed login attempts, you'll see a message that says “Device is Disabled”.^{[14]XResearch source} This method will erase all of the content on your iPhone, so you should only use it if you're unable to use iTunes Backup and Restore.
- Unlike using iTunes Backup and Restore, you can complete this method with any computer using iTunes (not just the one you normally sync with).
Keep holding these buttons down until you see the Recovery Mode screen. This screen is black and will display the iTunes logo and a connector, indicating that the device is connected to iTunes.^{[15]XResearch source}
Do this if you see the following text in a pop-up window: “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes.” Otherwise, move to the next step.^{[16]XResearch source}
You'll see this button on a pop-up window that also contains the buttons “Cancel” and “Update.” Once you click “Restore,” iTunes will start the restoration process, which may take several minutes.
5
Follow the setup prompts on your iPhone. When the restore is complete, your iPhone will rest. Follow the prompts to set your location, Wi-Fi, and create a new passcode.^{[17]XResearch source}
- If you made an iCloud backup at an earlier date, select the option to “Restore from iCloud Backup” on the “Apps & Data” screen.
- If you have no backup, select “Set Up as New iPhone” on the “Apps & Data” screen.