How to unlock your tablet if you forgot your password

Tablets on platforms such as IOS, Android, Windows Mobile can be further protected by locking them with a password code, pin, or pattern key. Some models - of course the newest and not the cheapest - have a fingerprint scanner. But, as always happens, the password, like any other type of protecting your phone from strangers, is forgotten.

What to do if you forgot your tablet password

There are four recovery options - two main and two secondary - but before you get acquainted with them, we want to warn you that some methods are radical; they may result in the loss of all data and the device being returned to factory settings. Be suspicious of third-party programs that must be installed before use.

Option 1: Recover using Google

This method is safe: your data will not be lost. But it has one small drawback: this function is only available on older Android firmwares; new versions have lost this method.

And so, in one of the corners of the lock screen there is a button or text responsible for resetting the password and restoring it.

To use this method, follow these steps:

1. On the locked screen, find the button "Forgot your password?" (in some variations it sounds like "Remember password", "Restore password" etc). Click on it.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Next, you need to enter your Google account information: e-mail (login) and password.
   
   
3. After the second point, you just have to wait a little: the device will either unlock on its own, or you will unlock it by checking the email and following the instructions.
   

Exceptions are some models that the manufacturer has “worked” on, as well as phones that use a supporter application from the Play Market.

Option 2: Technical support

Many more or less well-known manufacturers have websites where you can easily contact technical support agents. In most cases, they can easily help you: they will tell you how to recover the password or set a new one, without resorting to a radical method - returning the device to factory settings.

Let's consider your actions using the example of contacting Samsung technical support:

1. Login to your browser and open the official Samsung website. In the top right menu you will find an interactive tab «Podderjka». Move your mouse over it.
   
   
2. In section "Product Help" click on the item "Finding a solution". However, it is possible to use the item "Contacts" from the block "Service and repair". It is located at the very end of the list.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Next, a tab will open "Product Information", adjacent to the point you need "Contact Technical Support".
   
   
4. You are asked to choose how you will contact technical support agents: through a phone call (contact numbers are indicated in the upper left corner), chat (most likely you will be answered by a bot that will ask for your e-mail and send it a link to one of the sections of the site where you will find the instructions you need).
   
   
   
   
   
5. If you select e-mail, you will need to indicate the type of question you are interested in: you are interested in "Technical question".
   
   
   
   
   
6. In the contact form, fill out the roles marked with a red asterisk. If you fill in additional fields, this may affect the speed of the response. Try to describe your problem in as much detail as possible so that you can receive competent assistance.
   
   
   
   
   
7. After waiting for some time (from an hour to a day), you will receive a letter with ready-made instructions relating specifically to your case. It’s rare, but technical support agents ask leading questions and clarify something. Answer them in detail.
   

Option 3: ADB Run

This computer program allows you to work with your device by entering specialized commands, as well as navigating through some menu items. The design of the utility resembles the standard one "Command line" Windows.

Some devices will not be able to work with it due to the firmware version or computer system settings.

Use a USB cable to connect Android to your computer. Next follow the instructions:

1. Download the ABD Run program from the official website, then install it on your computer. The installation process itself is not anything original, having a standard appearance. When the application is installed, it will load as a system.
   
   
2. Call "Command line" keyboard shortcut Win + R. Enter the command in the line that appears "Cmd".
   
   
   
   
   
3. Next, saving all the paragraphs and the general appearance as a whole, you need to enter the following commands:
   adb shell
   
   cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
   sqlite3 settings.db
   update system set value = 0 where name = 'lock_pattern_autolock';
   update system set value = 0 where name = 'lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
   .quit
   
   
4. After this, if the device does not reboot itself, restart it.
   

Using this method, you risk losing some user data.

Option 4: Factory settings

This method is universal and suitable for all Android devices. We recommend using it in the most desperate situations, because along with your password, your data stored on the device will also be deleted. Almost all data cannot be recovered.

1. Turn off the device completely (press the button for a long time; the message may appear on the screen "Turn off").
   
   
2. Check which keys you need to hold down on your device model: most often these are the power on/off button and the volume up button. After 10-20 seconds, when the device vibrates, it will start in a specialized mode.
   
   
3. In the interface that opens, somewhat reminiscent of a computer BIOS, you need to select Wipe data/factory reset. Switching between items is done using the volume buttons; The selection is confirmed using the power button.
   
   
   
   
   
4. In the menu that opens, select «Yes – delete all user data». Next you need to select "Reboot system now"to reboot the device with the changed settings.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. After rebooting, the device will be free of the password and much of your data.
   

In conclusion, it is worth saying that erasing a password if you forget it is quite possible. You just need to remember the consequences.