Did you forget your PIN or passcode to get into your Android tablet? Fortunately, there are a few tricks that you can use to get back into a locked tablet. This article teaches how to unlock your Android tablet when you’ve forgotten the lock screen PIN, pattern, or passcode.
Before you start: Your tablet must be connected to a Google account and have Find My enabled for some methods to work.
Warning: Performing a factory reset will erase all data on your tablet. While you can restore purchases and settings by logging in again, local data will be lost.
How to get back into a locked Android tablet
If you’ve forgotten your Android tablet’s security code, follow these steps to regain access.
Method 1: Resetting with Google Find My
- Go to Google Find My. This method only works if your tablet is connected to a Google account and has Find My enabled. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in with your Google account.
- Click your tablet. You will see a list of all devices connected to your Google account that have Find My enabled. Click your tablet to see more options.
- Click Factory reset device. Unfortunately, the site does not offer to unlock the tablet directly, but erasing it will also erase any PINs or passwords it has set up. Once your tablet is erased, you can reboot it and set up a new PIN or passcode.
Method 2: Performing a factory reset
- Hold the Power button on the tablet until the power options appear. If you cannot unlock your device, performing a factory reset is often the only option to remove the passcode.
- Tap Power off to turn off your Android tablet.
- Hold the Volume Down button while the tablet is off. This prepares the tablet to boot into Recovery Mode. The exact button combination for entering this mode may vary for your specific device.
- Press and hold the Power button while continuing to hold the Volume Down button. For many devices, this combination will boot you into the Recovery Mode launcher.
- Hold both buttons until the Start menu appears. If the Start menu does not appear and your device boots normally, you may need to use a different button combination to enter Recovery Mode. Search online for “recovery mode” plus your Android tablet model.
- Press Volume Down until Recovery mode appears. The Volume Up and Volume Down buttons will cycle through the menu options.
- Press the Power button to select Recovery mode. The Power button will select the highlighted menu option.
- Select wipe data/factory reset. Use the Volume Down button to highlight this option and the Power button to select it.
- Select Yes. This will begin the reset process, which will delete all of your data.
- Wait while your device resets. This process may take 20-30 minutes.
- Start the new device setup after the reset. After the tablet finishes resetting, you will be taken through the initial setup process. During this process, you will be able to log in with your Google account and restore your previous purchases and settings.
Method 3: Unlocking Android 4.4 and older tablets
- Enter an incorrect PIN or pattern 5 times. If you are using a tablet running Android 4.4 or earlier, you can use a built-in bypass mechanism to unlock your tablet. This feature was removed in Android 5.0 (Lollipop); newer Android versions do not have the option to unlock their tablet with a Google account. This method requires that your tablet be connected to a wireless network.
- Tap the Forgot PIN/pattern/password button. If this button does not appear after 5 incorrect attempts, your device does not support this method.
- Enter your Google address and password. Make sure this is the same Google account that you are signed in with on your tablet.
- Tap Sign In.
- Open Gmail on another computer or device. You will receive an email asking you to reset your passcode information.
- Open the message received from Google. It may be in the Updates tab.
- Click the link in the email. This will take you to a form to create a new unlock code.
- Create a new PIN, password, or pattern. This will be your new temporary unlock sequence.
- Use your new pattern to unlock your device. The tablet may take a few minutes to update with the new unlock method.
- Set a new code. Once you have unlocked the device, set a new code or pattern from the Lock Screen menu in the Settings app.
Pro tip: Always remember to back up your important data regularly, especially before attempting a factory reset, to prevent permanent data loss.
After successfully unlocking your Android tablet, it’s a good practice to immediately set a new, memorable passcode or pattern in your device’s settings to prevent future lockouts. Consider using a combination of numbers and letters, or a complex pattern that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
Additionally, take a moment to review your tablet’s security settings. Ensure that features like “Find My Device” are enabled and properly configured, as this can be a lifesaver if your tablet is ever lost or stolen, allowing you to locate, lock, or erase it remotely.
