Many users wonder if they can bypass a lock screen without a password, but the reality is that unlocking a phone with emergency call only works on very old Android devices.
Before you start: Android 5 (Lollipop) or earlier, access to the lock screen, and the ability to use the Emergency Call feature.
Warning: The emergency‑call hack can crash the UI and may cause loss of unsaved data; it does not work on newer Android versions or iPhones.
How to unlock a phone using emergency call
Follow the steps below to attempt the emergency‑call bypass on supported Android devices.
Method 1: Using the emergency‑call bypass
- Tap the Emergency Call button on the lock screen to open the dialer.
- Type ********** (ten asterisks) into the dialer field.
- Copy the asterisks, then paste them repeatedly until the input field no longer highlights the characters.
- Open the Camera app and the notification panel at the same time (tap the camera icon or swipe left, then swipe down from the top).
- Tap the gear icon that appears in the notification panel; a text field asking for the password will appear.
- Paste the asterisks into the text field and keep adding more until the UI crashes, revealing the home screen and granting access to the phone.
Method 2: Alternative unlock options
- Use a different lock type: go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Screen lock type and add a biometric method such as fingerprint or face recognition.
- Try a third‑party app like DroidKit, 4uKey, or AndroidUnlock; note that these tools are paid, often unreliable on newer devices, and may cause data loss.
- Perform a factory reset if all else fails; this will erase all data but allows you to start fresh. If you have Google backups enabled, you can restore your apps, contacts, and settings after the reset.
Pro tip: Enable Smart Lock or Extend Unlock in Settings to keep the phone unlocked under trusted conditions, reducing the chance of future lockouts.
Understanding the limits of the emergency‑call bypass helps you avoid wasted effort on modern devices where the method no longer works. It also highlights the importance of having backup authentication methods, such as biometrics, to prevent being locked out.
By setting up Smart Lock or Extend Unlock, you can maintain convenient access while still keeping your device secure, and you’ll be prepared to recover quickly if you ever forget your password.
