You forgot the graphic key. What to do if I forgot the unlock pattern on Android

Surely, in an attempt to protect your personal information on a smartphone or tablet, you forgot the pattern combination and thought of only one thing: why? How to reset the graphic key?
Of course you can try conventional ways, which are described in the previous article on this matter, but in order to do everything for sure, you need to perform reset operations through ADB Run. Let's get started!

What is needed to reset?

• - USB connection to PC (Windows)


• - enable USB debugging


• - Adb Run() program

Reset pattern lock on Android

After installing and running the program, ADB Run has a screen like this.

As for the control, it is only necessary to write a number and press Enter. Specifically, we are interested in item number 6: Unlock Gesture Key, and we will select it.

ADB Run: Unlock Gesture Key Method #1

The method involves deleting the gesture.key file from the / data / system folder (this file stores the pattern combination). After the file is deleted, restart the device and enter a new pattern.

ADB Run: Unlock Gesture Key Method #2

It involves clearing the data in the system.db file, which is located in the /data/system folder.
Did not work out? Let's delete it manually!

Method 1: run on PC command line

start-run-type cmd

Let's start typing commands one by one.

cd /
cd adb/progbin
adb shell
rm /data/system/gesture.key

Method 2: run the command line and other commands (you need to enter in turn!)

Now we reboot your Android device - the pattern has evaporated.

Method 3: run Adb Run and select item number 7 - Manual

su
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
reboot

Now many smartphone owners use the graphic key input method to unlock. This allows you to protect the device from thieves who simply cannot access the contents of the device. However, sometimes this method plays a cruel joke on the user. It is quite possible to forget the direction of finger movements. At such a moment, the owner of the device begins to wonder: "How to unlock Android if you forgot the pattern?". In today's article, we will answer this question in detail.

There are several ways to remove the graphic key from Android. Not all of them work in the vast majority of cases. But there is one most reliable way. It consists in setting SMS Bypass.This small, very inexpensive program will allow you to remove the unlock pattern by sending a special SMS message to your smartphone containing the text “ 1234 reset". Of course, this code can be changed in the utility settings.

Attention: The application requires ! Be sure to get superuser rights before installing it!

It should be noted that set SMS Bypass or any other application from Play Store You can even on a locked device, if only it was on it. To install, you need to log in from your computer to Google Play under the same account. Go to the application page and click the " Buy". Then you will be given a choice on which gadget to install the program. If the smartphone is connected to the Internet, the installation will be completed in the next minute.

Since SMS Bypass has been removed from the Play Store, it will no longer be possible to install it remotely. However, if the application has already been downloaded on the smartphone, then you can reset the unlock pattern using it.

Phone call

This way to bypass the pattern on the phone does not require any investment. No need to install additional application. You only need to make a call to your number from another device.

Attention: this method only works on operating under Android control 2.2 or more early version operating system. The security breach was later patched.

The method is to go to the parameters and reset the graphic key while receiving the call. This is done along the way Settings» - « Security».

Entering data from your account

This method does not work on all versions of Android. It is sewn up only in some branded shells. The method of removing the graphic key consists of five or six attempts to enter it incorrectly. After that, you will be prompted to wait 30 seconds.

After further fruitless attempts to make the correct movements with your finger, a window will appear with the button " Forgot your graphic key?". Click on it, after which you will have to enter data from your Google account(login and password). If in this moment your smartphone is not connected to the Internet, then you can do this immediately after rebooting it. You can also click on the " Emergency call " and enter the following code: *#*#7378423#*#*

Manual deletion of the gesture.key file

Attention: this method only works on smartphones with a modified Recovery menu! If you have never installed third-party firmware, then this method not for you!

Your pattern is contained in text file gesture key. If you delete it, then the graphic key itself will be reset. You can fix it without unlocking the device using the following Recovery menus:

• CWM;
• TWRP.

Your steps are remarkably simple:

Step 1. Download to your computer archive file utilities Aroma File Manager .

Step 2. Move it to .

Step 3. Insert the card into your smartphone.

Step 4. Go to recovery menu and install the application.

Step 5. Follow the path "/data/system/».

Step 6. Delete files gesture key, locksettings.db, locksettings.db-wal and locksettings.db-shm.

Step 7. Restart your smartphone.

Step 8. Enter any graphic key - the device should be unlocked.

If you have a menu Recovery TWRP, then you do not even need to download a separate utility. To find file manager you can along the way Advanced» - « file manager».

Using a second user

This method only works on devices with root access installed by the application SuperSU and at least two registered users. It is also important that the multiplayer mode must be enabled in SuperSU.

In order to remove the graphic key from Android, you must:

Step 1. Go to the second user.

Step 2. Go to Play market and install Root Browser .

Step 3. Open the installed utility and follow the path " /data/system/».

Step 4. Delete the following files:

• gesture.key;
• locksettings.db
• locksettings.db-wal;
• locksettings.db-shm.

Data reset

This method will work on many smartphones that have the Recovery menu installed (TWRP, CWN or Standard). Using this method, you will not only have to reset the pattern, but also delete all other user data - phone book, SMS messages, notes and some other data. Fortunately, if you have a Google account and sync is enabled on your device, then you can easily restore everything. As for photos, videos and music, they are not going anywhere.

To perform a data reset, you need to go to recovery menu and select an item Wipe data/Factory Reset. At different manufacturers the exit method to the Recovery menu is different:

• The smartphone must first be turned off, then hold down the center key, the volume up key and the power button. On models released before 2012, you only need to hold the power button and the center key.
• On smartphones, hold down the volume down button and the power key. After the Android image appears, both buttons are released. Instead of Factory Reset, the desired menu item can be called clear storage. It is advisable to remove and insert the battery (if it is removable) before going to the Recovery menu.
• On smartphones, it is also recommended to remove and insert the battery. Then you need to hold the power key and the volume up button. After the appearance of the picture android buttons released.
• On smartphones, one of the above methods of going to the Recovery menu usually works. Older models are an exception - they may require connecting the device to a computer and installing a program. Sony Ericsson PC Suite, where you need to go along the path " Instruments» - « Data recovery».
• On a smartphone, holding down the power button and pressing in will usually help. certain time volume up keys (then you also need to hold it). And also perform a data reset by pressing the button on the lock screen " Emergency call» and combination set *983*987# .
• On devices from , , and hold down the power key and the volume down button. Sometimes the volume up key is used instead of the latter.

Go to service center

An ideal way that works in almost 100% of cases. Just take your smartphone or tablet to service center. But please note that repairs will not be covered under warranty. Specialists will be able to remove the pattern lock from Android, but they will ask for money for their work.

Using a Samsung Account

By itself, this method can only be used if you have a smartphone or . You also had to register a Samsung account, which allows you to use branded South Korean services. If these conditions are met, then do the following:

Step 1. Log in to the Samsung Account website from your computer and log in by clicking the " To come in and entering your username and password.

Step 2. Go to the section " Find device».

Step 3. Click the button To find"and enter your login again (the address Email specified during registration) and password. Then press the blue button To come in».

Step 4. If you have several South Korean devices, then select the one you need in the corresponding list (located in the upper left corner). Then all you have to do is click the " More».

Step 5. Click the button Unlock my device».

Summarizing

In today's guide, almost all ways to unlock your smartphone are covered. When you forgot your password or pattern, you can use one of them. You can also try to reflash the device, for which programs are used ODIN, flash tool, fastboot and many others. But this is already a completely extreme case, which should be resorted to when there is a special need.

The Smart Lock feature automatically unlocks the screen when a certain condition is met. For example, if the device is at your home or another device is connected to it via Bluetooth.

You can use the function only if you have activated it in advance and selected the condition for unlocking. In that case, just do it. For example, if you have chosen to automatically unlock when a trusted Bluetooth device is connected, enable the module on both wireless communication. Once connected, the phone can be unlocked without entering a PIN, password or key.

If Smart Lock has not been configured in advance or you cannot fulfill the specified condition, then this method is not suitable.

2. Bypass security with your Google account

Some Android 4.4 and older devices allow you to unlock your screen with your Google account. Provided that the device is connected to the Internet.

To check if your smartphone supports this method, enter any password, PIN or pattern five times. After five incorrect entry attempts, the message “Forgot your password?” should appear on the screen. or similar hint. Click on it and enter the login and password from the Google account with which your device is synchronized.

After a successful login, the screen will unlock. If you also forgot your Google account password, try to restore access to it using a special service of the company.

Some brands offer additional unlocking tools to owners of their devices. For example, Samsung has a Find My Mobile service, with which you can remove a pattern, PIN, password, and even a fingerprint. To do this, your device must be connected to a Samsung account, support the service and be online.

To find out if there are similar services for your model, look for this information in the instructions or on the official website of the manufacturer.

4. Reset the device to factory settings

If other options do not work, it remains to restore the factory settings. This will lead to the loss of all data, copies of which were not saved in the Google account and others. But you can remove the protection from the screen.

Turn off your smartphone and remove the memory card if it was inside. Then try these key combinations in turn until one of them works (you need to hold down the buttons for 10-15 seconds):

• volume down key + power button;
• volume up key + power button;
• volume down key + power button + home key;
• volume down key + volume up key + power button.

When the service menu appears on the display, select the Recovery item, and then the Wipe data (or Factory reset) command. If none of the key combinations work or you do not see the commands you need in the menu, look for the reset instructions for your device model.

After that, the smartphone should return to factory settings within a few minutes. The device may request a login and password from a previously connected Google account, but you will no longer need to unlock the screen. After logging into the old account, the system will restore the settings and data synchronized with it.

If you have forgotten your password for Apple smartphone, you have only one way out - reset to factory settings. This procedure will unlock the screen, but will also erase any data from the iPhone that is not saved on your PC or in .

To reset, you will need a USB cable, a Windows or macOS computer, and iTunes. If it is not installed, download it from the official Apple website. If your computer is running macOS Catalina or more new version OS, you need to use the Finder app instead of iTunes.

To reset, turn off your smartphone and follow the instructions for your model.

• If you have an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X or more new model : while holding the side button, connect the device to the computer via the USB cable and do not release it until the recovery window appears.
• If you have iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: While holding the volume down button, connect the device to the computer via the USB cable and do not release it until the recovery window appears.
• If you have an iPhone 6s or older: While holding the Home button, connect the device to the computer via a USB cable, and do not release it until the recovery window appears.

When a dialog box appears on your computer display, click Restore and follow the iTunes or Finder prompts. First, the system will restore the factory settings, and then offer to restore the saved data. As a result, the screen will be unlocked.

If the timeout exceeds 15 minutes, the device will exit recovery mode. In this case, reconnect the smartphone to by holding down the corresponding button again until the required window appears. Then click "Restore" again.

If you forgot set password or a pattern on Android, this is not a reason to panic. Access to the smartphone can be restored, and there are several ways to unlock it. The updated instructions detail each of them.

How to reset password or lock in Android

(!) The article contains the main ways to reset the password / pattern, starting from the simplest (when you remember the username and password of your Google account) and ending with the more complex ones: hard reset, deleting the files "gesture.key" and "password.key". Read all the points carefully, follow the links to detailed instructions and everything will work out!

Method 1: Enter your Google account information

A working method for devices on Android 4.4 and below. Since Android 5.0, this option has been removed from many firmwares. But not all manufacturers did this, so check if it works for you or not.

When a phone or tablet is connected to mobile network or Wi-Fi, to remove the lock, just enter your e-mail and password. To do this, enter the pattern incorrectly 5-10 times, after which a warning will pop up about blocking the device for 30 seconds.

The button “Forgot your pattern?” will appear on the screen, by clicking on which you can enter your data and unlock the device.

If you forgot your account password, you will have to recover it - go to this page from a working gadget or PC.

Please note that this method requires mandatory access to the Internet. So open up the panel quick settings, by swiping down (the "curtain" can be opened directly from the lock screen on Android 5.0 Lollipop and later) and turn on mobile data or Wi-Fi. The device will connect to the access point if it has worked on this network before.

2. Reset a picture password using ADB

Graphic key can be removed using ADB. You need to connect the device via USB to the computer and enter the necessary commands. All details in

The method will only work if USB debugging is enabled.

Method 3. Reset to factory settings

The next method is simpler than the previous one, but using it, all data from internal memory, such as the installed apps, linked accounts, SMS, etc. Photos, audio and other files on the SD will remain intact. Full instructions you will find in the article:.

During the next activation of the device, restore the data from backup- works provided that it was previously carried out.

Method 4. Flash a smartphone or tablet

Firmware android phone or tablet, you will remove the lock or password. On our site there is a firmware Android devices various manufacturers, separately Samsung via and LG via .

Method 5: Deleting gesture.key (unlock graphic pattern) and password.key (reset password)

The method is intended for owners of phones and tablets with and. Its effect is to remove system files“gesture.key” and “password.key”, which are responsible for displaying the graphic lock and password, respectively.

This requires the Aroma file manager. Download the archive from the link and download it to your phone or tablet without unpacking. Then turn off the machine and . To do this, instead of the power button, hold down one of the possible combinations (or read the FAQ for specific models):

• Volume up + "ON"
• Volume Down + "ON"
• Volume Up/Down + Power + Home

Use the volume up and down buttons to move up and down, respectively, and confirm the selection with the power / lock button. In new smartphones, Recovery can be touch sensitive.

Instruction:

1. Menu CWM Recovery select "Install zip".

2. Then click "Choose zip from /sdcard" and go to the folder where you dropped Aroma or use "Choose zip from last install folder". In the second case, you will see all the latest downloaded archives, among which you will find the one you need.

3. Select the archive with Aroma Explorer.

• "gesture.key" ("gatekeeper.pattern.key" in new firmware)
• "password.key" (or "gatekeeper.password.key" instead)
• "locksettings.db-wal"
• "locksettings.db-shm"

Select them and click "Delete" in the additional menu.

At the end, reboot your device. You can enter any password and the phone will be unlocked. Then boldly go to the settings and set a new lock.

6. How to remove the graphic lock through TWRP Recovery

Unzip the archive with Odin and run the program.

Put your smartphone into firmware mode (aka Bootloader, download mode). To do this, with the device turned off, hold down and hold 3 keys:

• "ON" + volume down + "Home" button

When you get to such a menu, press the volume up key to continue.

Android and the inscription “Downloading” will appear on the screen - it means that you have put Samsung into firmware mode.

Connect your phone to your computer via USB and wait for the drivers to install. The first cell "ID:COM" will display the connected port, and the message "Added" will appear in the logs.

Now click the "AP" ("PDA" in older versions of Odin) button and select the Recovery file.

If there is a checkmark next to “AP”, and the path to the file is written in the field next to it, you can proceed.

To start flashing, click "Start".

Since the size of the Recovery file is small, the process will take a couple of seconds. The logs will show the message “All threads completed. (succeed 1 / failed 0)”, and in the upper left cell - “PASS!”. This means that the custom Recovery firmware was successful.

Now turn off your phone and hold down one of the key combinations to get into Recovery:

• Home + volume up + power on
• "Home" + "ON" (on older Samsung)
• Volume up + power on (on older tablets)

Depending on the installed Recovery: CWM or TWRP, go to steps 5 or 6 of this article and delete the files:

• "password.key" ("gatekeeper.password.key")
• "gesture.key" ("gatekeeper.pattern.key")
• "locksettings.db-wal"
• "locksettings.db-shm"

13. How to remove the unlock key on Huawei and Honor: backup PIN

On Huawei and Honor, in addition to the graphic key, a backup PIN code is used. Therefore, to unlock the device, you need to draw the pattern incorrectly 5 times, and the message will appear on the display: "Try again in 1 minute." Wait 60 seconds until the "Backup PIN" button in the lower right corner becomes active. Click on it, enter the PIN and the unlock key will be instantly reset.

14. Backup PIN on LG

When setting a screen lock on LG, you need to set a backup PIN code that can be entered instead of a pattern or password and unlock your phone.

To do this, draw the wrong graphic pattern until the message about blocking input for 30 seconds appears. Click "OK", select "Forgot your unlock pattern?" at the bottom, enter your PIN and click "OK".

15.Smart lock function

Starting with Android 5.0, the system has smart function Lock, which allows you to disable the screen lock in certain situations. For example, when the machine is at home or connected to a trusted device via Bluetooth. Depending on the manufacturer of the device, as well as android versions, there are different unlock options with Smart Lock, such as voice detection, face recognition, and others.

Of course, Smart Lock is a handy feature that makes it easier to use mobile device. But thanks to it, attackers can gain access to personal information stored in the smartphone. For example, if you designate the office as a safe location and leave your phone at work, anyone can unlock it. Therefore, correctly configure Smart Lock, or rather, think several times before enabling this feature.

Resetting the lock using this method will only work if the user is registered in the Samsung account system, previously entered into the device and stored in its memory. So, to remove the graphic key, you need to do the following:

1. Go to the Samsung account website.
2. Select "Content and Services".
3. After opening a new page, you need to select the "Unlock screen" command.

For HTC

1. Install on PC HTC program sync.
2. Connect to a computer.
3. Install the Screen Lock Bypass app on your phone.
4. Do a reboot of the device.

1. Record the Hisuite program.
2. Connect the gadget to the computer.
3. Go to installed program to select the Contacts tab. The "My e-mail" window will appear
4. Log in using your e-mail and remove your password.

Reset

early models

1. Turn off the device.
2. Simultaneously press the "On / Off" and the center button.

New smartphone models

1. Turn off smartphone.
2. Simultaneously press 3 buttons: "On / Off", "Volume up" and the center one.

Huawei

1. Turn off the gadget.
2. Press and hold the "On / Off" and volume down keys until a menu of two items appears.
3. Using the volume button, mark the WIPE DATA item.
4. Confirm by pressing "Volume Up".

HTC

1. Disable gadget.
2. Remove the battery and then put it back in.
3. Press and hold the On/Off and Down keys. Wait for the Android image to appear on the screen, then reset the buttons.
4. Click on the phrase Clear Storage or Factory Reset (which one appears on the display depends on the specific model).

LG

To restore the settings of LG devices, follow these steps:

1. Perform shutdown.
2. Simultaneously hold and hold the "On / Off", "Menu" and volume down keys.
3. Wait for the vibration of the smartphone, and then the appearance of the Android picture on the screen. Next, a command will follow on the phone to remove the current settings.