Unlock your Android Device in case of a forgotten password or unlock pattern


There are several ways to RESET your Android device if it becomes locked.

Note: For the situations discussed, your device must be connected to the internet.

Be aware that when resetting the device, you may lose all your data. In addition,it takes numerous false entries to reach the point where your device will need to be reset.

The following unlocking solutions will be discussed:

How to unlock your device if you have forgotten the unlocking password.
How to unlock your device if you don’t remember your Google password recovery account credentials.
How to unlock your device if it does not accept the correct Google ID and password.

How to unlock your device if you have forgotten the unlocking password.

Clicking on ‘forgot password?’ will take you to a screen where you will be required to enter your Google account user name and password. This is the same registered user name and password you use at the Google Play store.

    

How to unlock your device if you don’t remember your Google password recovery account credentials.

Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/recovery

Select any one option. If you choose 'I don't know my password', Google will require your Google email address. Enter the same address you used when you registered your phone.

    

You can reset your password from a device you signed in with recently, even if it is not the device that is locked. In fact, Google recommends this. Even if you are resetting from another or unknown device, click 'Yes continue.'
If you can remember any recent password you can enter it? If not, click 'I don't remember.'
You will then be asked to enter your mobile number. Google will then send a verification code to your number.
Enter that verification code in the field and click 'continue.'
Now enter a new password and click 'Reset password' and use the new one on your device.

Verifying your identity if you don't remember the mobile number

If you do not remember the mobile number you entered into the Google account for security purposes, click 'verify your identity.

    

Google will then ask you several questions related to past passwords, contacts, recent emails, or other information. Keep answering the questions with as much information as you remember until you recover your Google ID.

What to do if too many attempts at login

If you keep entering the wrong of lock codes for multiple times, your Android phone will prompt a message saying there were too many attempts at login and you will not be allowed to enter your lock code. When you experience this message, do these:

Enter the Google account and password associated with your phone.
Once you enter the correct account details, your lock code will reset and you will be able to enter your phone.
If you cannot reset your lock code using your Google account, but remembers the code, just wait for a few minutes and try again as the message, "too many attempts at login" is only temporary. Enter your lock code again, this time making sure that you entered the correct code or pattern.

How to unlock your device if it does not accept the correct Google ID and password.

Go to [ https://accounts.google.com/IssuedAuthSubTokens ] and enter login details to see if your Android device is listed there. It will be shown as an “Android Phone”.
Revoke access for the device.
Generate a new password. At the bottom of the page, you will see an option Generate new application-specific password. Enter any name and click on “generate password.” A sixteen digit password will be generated.
Enter that password in the device along with the correct Google ID.
If the “Generate password” option is disabled, follow this link [ https://www.google.com/landing/2step/ ] to learn how to enable the generate password option using the 2-step verification process.

How to reformat Android tablet using PC

This method would only work if and only if you have previously enabled "USB debug mode" in your device, prior to an actual lock out due to forgotten password or screen pattern. To enable the debug mode:

Install Android SDK. Download android SDK from http://www.developer.android.com/sdk/index.html.
Extract. After downloading the file, do not open it, but instead extract the content to a folder in the root of your drive C. Rename the folder to android-sdk.
USB Driver. Download the necessary USB driver for your tablet. If you have difficulty in obtaining the right USB driver for your device, you could use an Android management tool like "Moborabo." This application was originally intended for smartphones, but will also work for Android tablets.
Connect your tablet. Connect your Android tablet to your computer using the provided USB cable. Make sure that the device is detected by your computer.
Open command prompt. Type "Win+R." This will open the run command window on your desktop. Type "cmd" on the space provided.

    

Go to the adb directory by typing the following commands on the command prompt window:

cd\
cd android-sdk\platform-tools\

    

Check that you device is recognized by typing the adb command to list the devices connected to your computer. This should display the serial number of the device(s).

adb devices

    

Type the adb command to wipe the user data on your android device:

adb shell
wipe data

    

Depending on the amount of data on your Android tablet, this may take some time. Just wait until you see the message "Done wiping/data." Your Android tablet will be restored to factory default after this process.
Close the command prompt window.
You could now remove your Android tablet from the computer and restart the device.