What to do if you're locked out of your phone
If you've forgotten your phone password, the path back in depends on what type of phone you have and what recovery information you set up beforehand. Most phones have a built-in recovery process that uses your email address, phone number, or security questions to verify you're the owner. The process takes 15 minutes to an hour for most people, though it may take longer if you need to wait for a verification code or answer security questions.
The key difference is between Android phones and iPhones — they use completely different recovery systems. Knowing which one you have and what backup information you created will determine which steps you need to follow. If you set up a recovery email or phone number when you first activated the device, you're in the best position to regain access quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones can be recovered using your Google account email and password, which you'll need to enter on the lock screen.
- iPhones require your Apple ID email and password, and Apple may ask you to verify your identity through a trusted device or phone number.
- If you don't remember your Google or Apple ID password, you can reset it through the company's website before attempting to unlock your phone.
- Some phones allow you to use a PIN, pattern, or biometric backup if you've set one up in addition to your main password.
- If you bought the phone secondhand or inherited it, you may need proof of purchase or the original owner's account information to proceed.
Unlocking an Android phone with your Google account
Android phones are tied to a Google account, and you can use that account to regain access if you've forgotten your lock screen password. After you've entered an incorrect password several times, the phone will show you options like "Forgot password?" or "Forgot PIN?" — tap that option to start the recovery process.
The phone will ask you to enter the email address and password for the Google account linked to the device. If you remember your Google password, enter it and the phone will unlock. If you don't remember your Google password, you'll need to reset it first by going to accounts.google.com on a computer or tablet, clicking "Sign in," then selecting "Forgot password?" and following Google's verification steps. Once you've reset your Google password, return to your phone and enter the new password on the lock screen.
Some Android phones also offer a backup unlock method — you may be able to draw a pattern, enter a PIN, or use your fingerprint if you set those up previously. Check the lock screen for these options before attempting the Google account recovery.
Unlocking an iPhone with your Apple ID
iPhones use your Apple ID to recover access when you've forgotten your lock screen password. If you've entered the wrong password too many times, the phone will display a message saying it's disabled and offer you the option to unlock using your Apple ID.
Tap the option to use your Apple ID, then enter the email address and password associated with your Apple account. Apple will then ask you to verify your identity — this usually means entering a code sent to a trusted phone number or checking a trusted device (like a Mac or iPad) that's already signed into your Apple ID. Once you've completed the verification, you can set a new lock screen password and regain access to your phone.
If you don't remember your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and follow Apple's password reset process. You'll need to verify your identity using a recovery email address or phone number you provided when you created the account. After resetting your password, return to your iPhone and use the new password to unlock it.
Resetting your Google or Apple ID password
Before you can use your Google or Apple account to unlock your phone, you need to remember the password for that account. If you don't, you'll need to reset it through the company's website on a computer or another device.
For Google accounts, visit accounts.google.com, click "Sign in," then select "Forgot password?" You'll be asked to enter the last password you remember, then Google will send a verification code to your recovery email or phone number. Enter that code, and you can create a new password. For Apple accounts, go to iforgot.apple.com and select "Forgot Apple ID password." Apple will guide you through verifying your identity using your recovery email, phone number, or security questions you set up when you created the account.
Write down your new password somewhere safe before attempting to unlock your phone. You'll need to enter it exactly as you created it, including capital letters and special characters.
Using a computer to unlock your phone remotely
If your phone is connected to a computer, you may be able to unlock it using that connection. Android phones can sometimes be unlocked through Android Device Manager (now called Find My Mobile on Samsung devices), which you can access from a computer if you're signed into your Google account.
Go to google.com/android/find and sign in with the Google account linked to your phone. If your phone appears in the list, you can select it and choose the option to lock or unlock it. Some phones will allow you to set a new password through this process. For iPhones, you can use iCloud.com — sign in with your Apple ID, select "Find My," then choose your iPhone and select "Erase iPhone" to remove the lock screen password. This will erase all data on the phone, so use this only if you have a backup or if you're unable to recover access any other way.
What to do if you don't have recovery information
If you didn't set up a recovery email, phone number, or security questions when you created your account, regaining access becomes much harder. You won't be able to use the standard recovery process because you have no way to prove you're the account owner.
Contact Google Support or Apple Support directly and explain that you're locked out of your phone and don't have recovery information. You'll need to provide proof of identity — this might include a government ID, proof of purchase for the phone, or other information that ties you to the account. The process can take several days or longer, and there's no may provide you'll regain access if you can't provide sufficient proof. This is why setting up recovery information when you first activate a phone is so important.
If you bought the phone secondhand or inherited it from someone else, you'll need the original owner's account information or proof that they've given you permission to use the device. Most phones are locked to the original account for security reasons, and the original owner is the only person who can remove that lock.
Preventing this from happening again
Once you've regained access to your phone, take steps to make sure you don't get locked out again. Write down your Google or Apple ID password in a secure location — a password manager, a locked notebook, or a secure note on a trusted computer. Do not write it on a sticky note or store it in an unsecured document.
Set up multiple recovery methods on your account. Add a recovery email address (different from your main account email if possible), a phone number, and security questions. This way, if you forget your password, you'll have multiple ways to prove you're the account owner. Also consider using a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which can store your passwords securely and fill them in automatically when you need them.
If you use a lock screen password, consider also setting up a backup unlock method like a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. This gives you another way to access your phone if you forget your main password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unlock my phone without my Google or Apple ID password?
No — your Google or Apple ID password is the primary way to prove you own the phone. If you don't remember it, you'll need to reset it through the company's website before you can unlock your phone. If you can't reset it because you don't have access to your recovery email or phone number, you'll need to contact support directly.
What if I forgot my Google or Apple ID password and my recovery email is old?
Contact Google Support or Apple Support and explain the situation. You'll need to provide proof of identity to verify you're the account owner. This can include a government ID, credit card used to make purchases on the account, or other identifying information. The process can take several days.
Will unlocking my phone erase my data?
Using your Google or Apple ID to unlock your phone will not erase your data — you'll regain access to everything on the phone. However, if you use iCloud's "Erase iPhone" option on a computer, it will erase all data on the phone. Only use that method if you have a backup or if you're unable to recover access any other way.
Can I unlock a phone I bought secondhand?
Not without the original owner's account information or permission. Most phones are locked to the original Google or Apple account for security reasons. You'll need to contact the original owner and ask them to remove the lock, or provide proof that they've given you permission to use the device. If you can't reach the original owner, contact the phone manufacturer's support team with proof of purchase.
How long does it take to regain access to my phone?
If you remember your Google or Apple ID password, you can regain access in 15 minutes to an hour. If you need to reset your password first, add another 15 to 30 minutes. If you need to contact support because you don't have recovery information, the process can take several days or longer.