How to unlock PIN code on Android — Even if you forgot it
Discover proven methods to unlock an Android PIN code and regain full access to your phone or tablet after lockout, whether with or without a factory reset.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Jan 16, 2026 6:36 PM
There are multiple ways to unlock an Android phone PIN even if you've forgotten it.
A 4- or 6-digit PIN code is designed to protect your Android devices and personal data. However, if you forget the unlock PIN on Android, getting into the device may require alternative methods or specialized tools.
In most cases, you can unlock your Android phone without a PIN code using biometric authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition. If these options are unavailable or fail to work, performing a factory reset is often the only way to remove the forgotten PIN code and unlock your Android for full access.
This guide will walk you through all proven methods and reliable tools to unlock PIN code on Android and regain access to your phone or tablet with ease.
Table of contents
To unlock a forgotten Android PIN, Appgeeker Android Unlocker is a helpful tool that provides efficient screen lock removal features, allowing you to unlock an Android phone or tablet without a PIN, password, or pattern.
Is there a universal unlock PIN for Android?
No. There is no universal PIN code to unlock all Android phones or tablets. Modern versions of Android are equipped with advanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
If you forgot your Android PIN, unlocking the device typically requires a factory reset, which erases all data on the device, including the screen lock code. The good news is that once the reset is complete, you will regain full access to your Android phone/tablet, and can restore your data if a previous backup is available.
To unlock a PIN code on Android after lockout, the methods below will be of help.
How to unlock Android PIN code if forgotten
Google Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) provides a convenient way to locate your devices and remotely unlock an Android phone or tablet without a PIN or computer, as long as the target device is linked to your Google account and remains online.
This method works by performing a remote factory reset on the locked Android phone, which completely removes the forgotten PIN and allows you to set up the device again from scratch. Here are the steps to use Google Find Hub when you forgot the unlock PIN code on Android:
1. On another network-connected device, open a browser and visit Google Find Hub website.
2. Sign into your Google account and check Devices from the left-hand menu.
3. From all linked devices, select the Android phone or tablet that you want to unlock the PIN.
4. Select Factory reset device in the opening card.
5. When prompted, confirm the Reset option and check Next button.
6. If the Erase all data box pops up, click Erase to start the Android unlocking process remotely.
Once done, your Android will be unlocked with no PIN code required. Feel free to set it up again from the initial steps.
Additional option: Samsung SmartThings Find
For Samsung users, SmartThings Find (upgraded from Find My Mobile) offers an additional unlock approach if you forgot the PIN on your Samsung phone or tablet.
Similar to Google Find Hub, this method allows you to remove the forgotten PIN code remotely and unlock your Samsung without computer through an online reset. Ensure you have your Samsung Account credentials. Below are the quick steps:
1. From another accessible device, go to Samsung SmartThings Find site.
2. Sign in with the same Samsung Account associated with your locked Samsung device.
3. From the list of connected devices, select the Samsung phone you need to unlock.
4. Choose Erase data option in the expanded options.
5. A verification code will be sent to your Samsung phone or tablet; then enter it correctly.
6. Select Erase data again and confirm the Erase option on the pop-up message.
7. Verify your Samsung Account password and click Next to initiate a remote reset.
Do not use your Samsung phone until the PIN code is unlocked. Once the device restarts, follow the setup prompts to use it again.
How to unlock Android without PIN code
In addition to remote reset services, there are available options that support Android PIN unlocking without using a Google account or Samsung account.
Use Appgeeker Android Unlocker
If you're locked out due to a forgotten PIN code, Appgeeker Android Unlocker delivers efficient lock screen removal solution that allows Android users to unlock their phone or tablet in minutes.
This all-in-one Android unlocking tool is designed to remove all types of screen locks, including 4- or 6-digit PINs, passwords, patterns, fingerprints, and facial recognition.
It also supports FRP lock removal for Android devices stuck on Google account verification after a reset, so you can regain full access to your device after unlocking the Android PIN code successfully, no original Google credentials needed.
Moreover, it's widely compatible with many Android brands and models, such as Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, Vivo, LG, OPPO, OnePlus, Huawei, and more. Simply follow these quick steps for Android PIN code unlock:
Step 1. Launch Appgeeker Android Unlocker on a Windows PC and start with Remove Screen Password mode.
Step 2. Select the brand of your Android device to unlock the PIN code.
Step 3. Connect your phone using a suitable USB cable. If it's not recognized, click the onscreen link and follow the prompts to proceed.
Step 4. Click Bypass Now button to start unlocking the PIN code on this Android phone. It may take a short while, and you'll regain control when the device restarts.
Note:
- This process involves a factory reset, which permanently removes the PIN code from your Android phone / tablet along with everything else.
- If the FRP lock is triggered after unlocking and you don't remember the previously-used Google account credentials, select Bypass Google FRP Lock mode from its main interface for access recovery.
Use Android Recovery Mode
It's okay if you've forgotten the unlock PIN on your Android phone. By entering Recovery Mode, you can perform a factory reset to remove screen lock along with all other data from the device.
Accessing Recovery Mode requires pressing and holding a specific combination of physical buttons, which varies by manufacturer. Here are the general steps to unlock an Android phone when the PIN code is forgotten:
1. Turn off your Android phone completely.
2. Enter Android Recovery Mode by pressing and holding the following button combination:
Note: If you are resetting a locked Samsung phone, connect it to a computer first via a USB cable.
- Press and hold Power + Volume Up buttons on Samsung (newer models), Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, Sony phones.
- Keep holding Power + Volume Down buttons on Motorola, OnePlus, Google Pixel, LG, TCL, OPPO, Lenovo, and Realme models.
- Long-press Power + Volume Up + Home/Bixby buttons for older Samsung models that have a physical Home/Bixby button.
3. Do not release the buttons until your device vibrates and displays Android Recovery screen.
4. Scroll through and highlight Wipe data/factory reset using Volume buttons, and then select it by Power button.
5. Select Yes, Yes - delete all user data, or Factory data reset using either Volume button, and press the Power button to confirm.
6. After the reset, select Reboot system now and wait until your phone restarts.
When it's complete, the PIN code should be removed and your Android device will return to its factory state, allowing for new setup.
Note: If your phone is tied to a Google account, unlocking the Android PIN this way will trigger Google's Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which requires you to verify the original Google credentials before accessing the device again. If those credentials are unavailable, a reliable FRP bypass tool can help you bypass Google verification and get back into your phone.
How to unlock PIN code on Android without losing data
Instead of performing a factory reset, you can also use the built-in options to unlock your Android PIN code without data loss under certain situations.
Use Forgot PIN on Android 4.4 or older
If you are using an older device running Android 4.4 or earlier, a built-in Forgot PIN feature allows you to unlock the Android phone PIN directly from the lock screen by verifying your Google account credentials, without requiring a factory reset or causing data loss.
- On your Android lock screen, enter a wrong PIN code repeatedly over 5 times.
- When a Forgot PIN button appears, tap on it.
- You'll be asked to enter the username and password of the Google account linked to this device; then press Sign in.
- After verifying your Google account, the Android system allows you to set a new PIN code.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to create a new 4-/6-digit PIN.
Finally, you can use the new PIN code to unlock your Android phone without losing data.
Use Extend Unlock or Smart Lock if previously configured
Extended Unlock on Android (or Smart Lock on Samsung devices) keeps your Android phone unlocked under specific conditions, such as when you are at a trusted location, near a trusted device, or carrying the phone on your body. Once enabled, it automatically unlocks the Android device without requiring a PIN code.
However, this feature only works if Extended Unlock or Smart Lock was enabled on your Android phone before the PIN code is forgotten. Here's how:
1. Open Android Settings app, and move to Security & privacy > More security & privacy > Extend Unlock.
TIP: If you don't see the Security & Privacy option, tap Security & location instead. For Samsung phones, navigate to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock alternatively.
2. If asked, verify your current screen lock PIN, password, or pattern.
3. Set trusted scenarios that you want your Android phone to stay unlocked.
- On-body detection. Unlock the Android PIN when the device is on your hand or pocket.
- Trusted places. Keep your Android device unlocked at your home or other trusted locations.
- Trusted devices. Unlock when it's connected to a specific Bluetooth device that you trust.
4. Complete the onscreen setup to add your trusted actions, places, or devices.
Once set, the Android phone stays unlocked, so you don't have to enter a PIN code.
FAQs on PIN unlock for Android
Q1 - Is there a master ode to unlock any Android phone?
No. There is no universal or single master code to unlock any phone. The so-called master codes vary by manufacturer and model and are not supported on modern Android devices.
Q2 - I forgot my PIN code. How can I unlock my Android phone without a factory reset?
To unlock a forgotten PIN code on Android without factory reset, the following options may be available:
- Forgot PIN feature on devices with Android 4.4 or earlier.
- Smart Lock / Extend Unlock if it was enabled prior to a lockout.
If neither option is available, a factory reset is currently the only effective way to unlock an Android phone after forgetting the PIN code.
Q3 - Will a factory reset unlock the PIN code on my Android phone?
Yes. Performing a factory reset will remove the screen PIN as well as all existing data and settings, restoring your Android phone to its original out-of-box state.
To make it, you may initiate a remote reset using Google Find Hub if it's enabled on your phone before a forgotten PIN code. Alternatively, reliable tools such as Appgeeker Android Unlocker can help remove the PIN code and unlock your Android device in simple clicks.
Q4 - Can you unlock a PIN code on Android without computer?
Yes. If your device is still linked to a Google account with Find Hub enabled, you can remotely reset and unlock the Android PIN code from another phone or tablet with internet access.
For Samsung devices linked to Samsung SmartThings Find, a remote PIN unlock is also possible without using a computer.
Q5 - Is it possible to unlock an Android phone using emergency call?
In general, no. Emergency call features cannot unlock an Android phone. Although some older Android versions contained security bugs that allowed lock screen bypasses, these issues have been fixed in modern Android systems. On current Android phones, unlocking a forgotten PIN typically requires a full factory reset.
