You can reset a locked Android phone. The process is a bit different for each manufacturer, but resetting an Android phone to factory settings can be done when a phone is locked unless the recovery is password protected (which is extremely rare). We’ll detail general instructions on how to reset a locked phone in 2023 below.
How to reset Android phone when it’s locked
The process to reset a locked Android phone is similar, no matter the model. To do so:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the volume up button and hold it.
- Next, press the power button and hold it.
- Wait for the Android recovery logo to appear.
- Use the volume buttons to change selections until you see “Recovery mode” at the top of the screen.
- Press the power button to enter Recovery mode.
- Use the volume keys to highlight the option that says “Wipe data/factory reset.”
- Press the power button to select the option.
- Press volume down to highlight “Factory data reset.”
- Press the power button one last time to confirm you want to reset the phone back to factory settings.
The above process is for devices running stock Google Android. If these instructions don’t work for you, consult the support site of your phone’s manufacturer for the steps needed to enter recovery mode.
Once you follow the steps above, you’ll find that you’ve factory reset your locked Android phone, and it no longer requires a PIN or password. However, If it was tied to a Google or Samsung account, you may be prompted to enter your password before you can gain access to the phone.
How to reset a locked Android phone without erasing data
There’s no way to factory reset a locked Android phone without erasing the data without using a third-party tool. Some services offer tools to recover data from locked phones without knowing the PIN or password. However, these aren’t foolproof and usually aren’t available for phones running the latest version of Android.
