How To Reset a PIN on an Android Device

Android devices allow you to protect your information from potential intruders by setting a personal identification number (PIN). While this is a great security option, it has one obvious downside: you can get locked out of your phone if you forget the PIN. Fortunately, there are ways to reset your PIN.

If you’re interested in learning how to reset the PIN on your Android device, look no further. This article will provide detailed step-by-step instructions on how to do it.

Resetting Your Pin

If you forgot your PIN and have an Android 4.4 or below (which is a really old version) by any chance, you’ll be happy to know there’s a way to access your phone in only a few steps. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Enter an incorrect PIN, pattern, or password five times in a row.
   
2. After that, you’ll see the “Forgot PIN,” “Forgot password,” or “Forgot pattern” message. Tap it.
   
3. Your phone will ask you to enter your Google account credentials. Press “Done.”
   
4. Open Gmail on another device to view the email regarding verification of your password.
   
5. Verify your password.
   
6. Set a new password for your phone.
   

This option became unavailable with Android 5.0 and newer because Android wanted to enhance the users’ security even further. But, that doesn’t mean there’s no way to access your phone and reset the PIN if you forgot it. Android has a Smart Lock feature that, when enabled, unlocks your phone when you’re at home or another trusted location. If you have this option turned on, you can take your phone to that trusted location, and it will unlock automatically. Then, you can configure the new password, PIN, or pattern.

Unfortunately, if Smart Lock isn’t turned on when you get locked out, you’re out of luck. You can access this feature by searching for it in Settings. Not all Android builds support Smart Lock.

Factory Reset

If neither of the two options above work for you, you may need to perform a factory reset to access your phone and reset the PIN. Since the buttons you need to use for this depend on the manufacturer, it’s best to look for instructions in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Typically, you need to use the power and volume buttons to perform the reset.

Resetting Your Pin on a Samsung Android

If you have a Samsung phone and you forgot your PIN, there’s no reason to worry because Samsung offers the Find My Mobile option. This valuable feature allows you to log in to and manage your device remotely. Keep in mind that you can use this feature only if your phone is connected to your Samsung Account and the internet.

Follow the instructions below to access your phone using Find My Mobile:

1. Open your browser and go to findmymobile.samsung.com.
   
2. Press “Sign in” and enter your email and password for your Samsung Account and and follow the on-screen instructions to unlock your Samsung phone.
   

Reset PIN Android Tablet

There are several ways to reset the PIN on your Android tablet. Which one you can use depends on the system’s version.

Those who have a tablet that runs Android 4.4 or earlier can access their phones with an incorrect password. Here’s how:

1. Type an incorrect PIN, pattern, or password five times in a row.
   
2. You’ll see the “Forgot PIN,” “Forgot password,” or “Forgot pattern” message on the screen. Tap it.
   
3. Enter the email address and password related to your Google Account.
   
4. Open Gmail on another device to view the email regarding verification of your password.
   
5. Verify your password.
   
6. Set a new PIN for your tablet.
   

Keep in mind that this option isn’t available on Android 5.0. Even though you can’t use this option, there’s another way to reset your password: Smart Lock. This feature automatically unlocks your phone when you’re at a trusted location. If you have enabled this option, simply take your phone to that location, and you’ll unlock it. Then, you can set a new PIN.

Reset PIN Android Device Manager

Android Device Manager, now called “Find My Device,” allows you to access your phone without touching it. However, you can use this option only if you’ve activated it on your phone. Plus, your GPS needs to be enabled, and the device needs to be connected to the internet. While the Find My Device option allows users to find or lock their phones with the existing PIN, it doesn’t enable resetting it.

Resetting a Pin for Android with Microsoft Intune

Microsoft Intune is a mobile device management tool that can be used on various platforms, including Android. You can use this option to reset your password only if you have a Microsoft account and the right settings on your phone. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Launch your browser, go to the Microsoft Endpoint admin center, and sign in to your account.
   
2. Choose “Devices” then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
   

Resetting an Android Pin Using a Google Account

Your Google Account can help you reset the PIN on your Android device. Keep in mind that this option is available only for Android 4.4 or earlier. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Try entering a PIN five times. After five failed attempts, you’ll see the “Forgot PIN” button. Press it.
   
2. Launch Gmail on another device and open the email regarding resetting your password. Select the link in the email, and you will be taken to a page for setting up a temporary PIN, password, or pattern.
   
3. Use this PIN to verify your account.
   
4. Set a new PIN.
   

Forgetting Your PIN Isn’t a Sin

With so many things on our minds, we can easily forget the PIN for unlocking our devices. Although many think a forgotten PIN means your phone becomes inaccessible, this isn’t the case. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to access your phone and reset the PIN. Be warned that in some cases this might require a complete phone reset and wiping its data.

Have you ever forgotten the PIN, password, or pattern for unlocking your phone? Did you manage to reset it? Tell us in the comments section below.