How to unlock an Android phone if you forgot the PIN
On current Android phones the data is locked behind your PIN, so there is no magic bypass. A few built-in options can still save you.
Try these first (no data lost)
The fix
Options that keep your data
- 1
Try your old PIN on Samsung.
After a few wrong tries, recent Galaxy phones may offer to unlock with the previous PIN if you changed it in the last 72 hours.
- 2
Use Smart Lock if you set it up.
Go to a trusted place, such as home, or connect a trusted Bluetooth device like your car or watch.
- 3
Take a break and think back.
After too many wrong tries the phone makes you wait. Common guesses include old PINs, a birthday or your card PIN.
Reset the phone (data erased)
The fix
Erase it remotely with Find Hub
- 1
On another device, go to google.com/android/find and sign in.
- 2
Select the locked phone and choose Factory reset device.
- 3
Confirm. The phone erases when it is online.
The fix
Or use recovery mode
- 1
Turn the phone off.
- 2
Hold the button combination for recovery.
On most phones, Power and Volume Up. On Pixel, Power and Volume Down, then choose Recovery mode.
- 3
Choose Wipe data/factory reset with the volume keys and confirm with Power.
- 4
Choose Reboot system now.
Frequently asked questions
Can I unlock my Android without losing data?
Only if you remember a recent old PIN on Samsung, Smart Lock still trusts your location or device, or you remember the PIN later. Otherwise the phone must be reset, and your Google backup brings most things back.
Do PIN unlock apps from websites work?
On modern Android they generally cannot keep your data. Most still end in a reset, so be careful paying for one.
What happens after the reset?
The phone asks for the Google account that was on it. Sign in with that account and password, then restore your backup during setup.
Related guides
Back up your Android phone
Back up your Android phone to Google with Google One, back up photos with Google Photos, or use Samsung Cloud, Smart Switch or a computer. Step by step.
Block a number on Android
Block a number on your Android phone from Recents or Phone settings on Samsung and Pixel. Also how to block texts, add a number by hand and unblock later.