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How To Reset a PIN on an Android Device

Forgetting your Android device’s PIN, pattern, or password can be frustrating. Fortunately, Android offers several methods to reset your lock screen security, regain access to your device, and set a new PIN without losing data.

Resetting an Android PIN Using a Google Account

Your Google account provides the easiest way to reset your Android’s PIN:

  • Try entering an incorrect PIN 5 times. After the 5th attempt, an option to reset appears.
  • Tap Forgot PIN or Forgot Pattern.
  • Enter the email and password for the Google account on your Android device to reset the PIN.
  • Set a new PIN or pattern lock.

Note: This uses your previously synced Google account to verify your identity and reset the lock. It will work on Android devices running 4.4+ linked to a Google account.

Using Find My Device to Remotely Reset Lock

Google’s Find My Device can remotely reset your lock screen if you can’t access your Android physically:

  • On a computer, visit android.com/find
  • Sign into the Google account on your locked Android device
  • Select your device and choose Erase Device to reset it completely
  • When the device reboots, it will no longer be locked

This performs a factory reset, deleting apps and data, but allows you to access the device again.

Reset PIN from Recovery Mode

If other options don’t work, you can factory reset from recovery mode to remove the old PIN:

  • Turn the device off
  • Hold Power + Volume Down + Bixby (for Samsung)
  • Use volume keys to select Wipe data/factory reset
  • Select Yes to confirm and reset everything
  • Set up the device again with a new lock screen PIN or password

Warning: This will erase all data on the device storage. So only use as a last resort if no backups exist.

Set Up Backup Security Options

To avoid lock-out issues in the future:

  • Enable automatic Google account sync in settings
  • Set up a Samsung account and backup to Samsung Cloud
  • Use a secure password manager to store PINs/passwords
  • Enable Smart Lock: Trusted locations, devices, etc.
  • Create periodic device backups to Google Drive or external storage

Conclusion

Getting locked out of an Android device can happen to anyone. Thankfully Android offers reliable ways to get back into a locked device, like using a Google account or recovery mode reset. Setting up backups and sync ahead of time ensures you won’t lose valuable data if a factory reset becomes necessary.

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