In today’s digital era, we have passwords to secure almost everything – our smartphones, laptops, tablets, and whatnot. But, what if we forget the password to unlock our device’s screen? Getting locked out of our personal gadget can be distressing and frustrating. However, there’s no need to panic as there are ways to reset the lock screen password without losing any data.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Resetting A Lock Screen Password
The biggest challenge when it comes to resetting a lock screen password is that it often results in losing all the personal data, including contacts, messages, pictures, and music on our device. Also, there are limitations to resetting the lock screen password depending on the type of device and software version.
Things You Need to Prepare
Before moving ahead with resetting your lock screen password, you will need to take a few preparatory steps.
- Make sure that your device has sufficient battery life left.
- Back up all essential data on your device to avoid losing it during the reset process.
- You will need a stable internet connection & a device to access certain authorized websites.
- Ensure that you have the device vendor’s credentials like Apple ID, Samsung ID, Google Id, etc.
- Keep your device’s USB cable handy, and it should be compatible with your device.
Method 1: Using Your Google Account
One of the most straightforward ways to reset the lock screen password is to use your Google account. This method works best for devices that run on Android software. Here are the steps to follow:
- Enter the wrong lock screen password five times in a row.
- After entering the wrong password five times, a message will appear on your screen that reads ‘Try again in 30 seconds.’
- After 30 seconds, you will see a message on your screen that says, ‘Forgot Pattern.’
- Now tap on the ‘Forgot Pattern’ option, and it will redirect you to the Google account verification page.
- On this page, enter your Google Account credentials, and it will redirect you to the screen lock setup page.
- Here, you can reset the lock screen password according to your preferences.
- Lastly, reboot your device, and the new password will take effect immediately.
Method 2: Resetting with iTunes (For Apple devices)
If you own an Apple device, resetting the lock screen password through iTunes is the ideal way. This method will work for any iOS version. Here are the steps to follow:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes.
- Make sure that iTunes detects your device successfully and click on the device icon.
- Now, click on the restore iPhone’ option in the summary tab.
- A pop-up message will appear on your screen, which asks whether you want to backup your phone. If you have not backed up your phone lately, you can choose the ‘Backup‘ option.
- After the backup process is complete, click on the ‘Restore’ option, which will reset your device and wipe out all the data and settings.
- Lastly, set up your device, and you can now set a new lock screen password.
Method 3: Using Samsung Find My Mobile
If you own a Samsung device, then resetting the lock screen password is possible via Samsung’s own service – Find My Mobile. Here’s how to reset the lock screen password using Samsung Find My Mobile:
- Go to the Samsung Find My Mobile website on your device or computer.
- Sign in to your Samsung account that is linked with your device.
- Once you’re logged in, click on the ‘Lock My Screen’ option in the left-hand menu.
- Now, enter your new password twice and click on the ‘Lock’ option.
- Lastly, unlock your device using the newly created password.
Why Can’t I Reset My Lock Screen Password?
1. The inability to reset the lock screen password can be due to a modified operating system installed on your device.
Fix: To fix this, restore your device to the original operating system and then reset the lock screen password.
2. Sometimes, the inability to reset the lock screen password can be caused due to the device not recognizing the USB connection due to a defective USB cable or port.
Fix: Change the USB cable and try a different port. If it still doesn’t work, you may need to take it to the authorized device vendor repair center.
3. Another reason why you may not be able to reset your lock screen password is due to the activation lock being enabled on your device.
Fix: Disable the activation lock before proceeding with resetting the lock screen password.
FAQs
Q1. Will resetting my lock screen password erase all my data?
A1. It depends on the method used to reset the lock screen password. Some methods will erase all data, while others allow you to keep your data intact.
Q2. Is it safe to trust the websites that claim to reset lock screen passwords online?
A2. No, it is not safe to trust any website that claims to reset lock screen passwords online as they could be scams or viruses.
Q3. What if I forget my Google or Apple ID credentials?
A3. If you forget your Google or Apple ID credentials, you can always recover them by resetting your password through the respective platforms.
Q4. Can I reset the lock screen password on a stolen device?
A4. No, resetting the lock screen password on a stolen device is illegal, and you must report the theft to the authorities immediately.
Q5. What should I do if none of the above methods work?
A5. If none of the above methods works, you can try putting your device in recovery mode and resetting it, or take it to an authorized device vendor repair center.
Conclusion
In conclusion, forgetting the lock screen password can be a hassle, but thankfully, there are ways to reset it without losing any data. However, the chosen method of resetting the lock screen password can differ based on the device and software version. With the above methods, you can reset your lock screen password with ease and secure your device once again.