It happens to the best of us. You set a complex alphanumeric password on your Samsung or Pixel because you were feeling particularly "security-conscious" on a Tuesday, and by Wednesday morning, that sequence of characters has vanished from your brain like a dream. Or maybe you've just inherited an old device from a family member who can’t remember if their PIN was their anniversary or their dog’s birthday. Either way, you're staring at a locked screen, wondering if your phone is now just an expensive paperweight. It isn't.
Learning how to remove a password from an android phone is actually pretty straightforward if you have the right credentials, but it gets significantly "techy" if you’re locked out. People often think there’s some secret back door Google left open. There isn’t. Since Android 5.1 Lollipop, Google has leaned hard into Factory Reset Protection (FRP), making it incredibly difficult for anyone—including the rightful owner—to bypass a lock without the original Google account info.
The easy way: When you actually know the password
If you’re just tired of typing in a code every time you want to check a text, removing the lock is a breeze. You’d be surprised how many people go digging through "Security" menus and get lost in the sub-folders.
Open your Settings app. You’ll want to scroll down until you see something like "Lock Screen" or "Security & Privacy." On a Google Pixel running Android 14 or 15, it’s usually under "Security & Privacy" > "Device Unlock." For Samsung users, it’s often its own dedicated "Lock Screen" menu.
Tap on Screen Lock. The phone will make you enter your current PIN or password one last time. This is the "gatekeeper" moment. Once you’re in, you’ll see options like Swipe, Pattern, PIN, Password, or None. If you select None, you are effectively nuking your device's security. No password. No fingerprint. No nothing. Just a swipe and you’re in. Honestly, it’s a bit risky if you ever leave your phone at a coffee shop, but hey, it’s your data.
Removing a forgotten password via Find My Device
Let’s say you’re truly locked out. You’ve tried your childhood zip code. You’ve tried "1234." Nothing. If you have another device handy—a laptop or a friend’s phone—you can use Google’s Find My Device service.
This is the nuclear option.
Historically, Google had a "Lock" feature that let you set a new temporary password from the web. They’ve mostly phased that out in favor of "Erase Device" to protect user privacy. If you go to google.com/android/find, you can sign in with the Google account that’s on the locked phone. From there, you can choose to wipe the device.
Yes, it deletes your photos. Yes, it deletes your messages. But it also removes the password. Once the wipe is finished, the phone restarts like it's brand new. Just keep in mind that you must know your Google account email and password to get past the setup screen, or you'll hit the FRP wall I mentioned earlier. Samsung users have a slight advantage here with "SmartThings Find." If you turned on Remote Unlock in your Samsung account settings before you got locked out, you can actually go to the SmartThings Find website and click "Unlock." It’s a lifesaver that Pixel owners don't have.
The "Recovery Mode" headache
If the internet isn't an option or you never signed into a Google account (which is rare these days), you have to go manual. This involves physical buttons.
- Turn the phone off.
- Hold the Power button and Volume Up (or sometimes Volume Down, depending on the manufacturer) simultaneously.
- When the logo appears, let go.
- You'll see a weird, scary-looking menu that looks like it's from 1995. This is Recovery Mode.
Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset. Press the power button to select it. The phone will ask if you’re sure. You are. Once it's done, select Reboot system now.
The catch? When the phone reboots, it’s going to ask for the Google account that was previously on the device. This is a theft-deterrent measure. If you bought the phone used and the previous owner didn't remove their account, you're basically stuck unless you can contact them. There are "FRP bypass" tools floating around the darker corners of the internet, but most of them are sketchy at best and malware-ridden at worst. Don't risk it.
Why biometric locks are actually your best friend
A lot of people want to remove their password because they find it annoying. I get it. But instead of going with "None" or "Swipe," consider the biometric route. Modern Android phones use under-display fingerprint sensors or face unlock that's actually secure enough for banking apps.
Setting up a fingerprint allows you to have a massive, 20-character complex password for actual security while only needing a thumbprint for daily use. It's the middle ground that keeps your banking apps safe while satisfying your need for speed. Even cheap budget phones now come with side-mounted fingerprint sensors in the power button. They're fast. Usually faster than the fancy under-screen ones on $1,000 flagships.
The Google account dilemma
If you are trying to remove a password from an android phone because you're planning to sell the device, simply doing a factory reset isn't enough. I see this mistake all the time on eBay. Someone resets their phone, sells it, and the buyer can't use it because it's locked to the seller's Google account.
Before you reset, you must manually remove the Google account.
- Go to Settings.
- Go to Passwords & Accounts (or Users & Accounts).
- Tap your Google email.
- Hit Remove Account.
Only after doing this should you perform a factory reset. This clears the "ownership flag" and lets the next person sign in without needing your password. It’s a small step that prevents a massive headache for everyone involved.
Myths about "Master Codes"
You might see YouTube videos claiming you can enter a "master code" like *#*#7780#*#* into the emergency dialer to unlock any phone. Honestly? Most of those are fake. While there are "secret codes" for Android, they are usually for diagnostic tests—checking your vibration motor, testing the screen colors, or viewing your IMEI. They aren't going to bypass a modern encrypted lock screen. Android encryption is file-based and tied to your specific credentials. There is no magic "open sesame" code.
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In the early days (Android 4.4 and older), if you failed a pattern lock five times, a "Forgot Pattern" button would appear. You could sign in with your Google account and reset it right there. Those days are long gone. Google prioritized security over convenience, which is great if your phone is stolen, but frustrating if you're just forgetful.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are currently locked out and need a way back in, follow these steps in this specific order to minimize data loss:
- Try the Samsung Route: If you have a Samsung, go to the SmartThings Find website first. If Remote Unlock was enabled, you can save your data.
- Check your Google Account: Log into your Google Dashboard from a computer. Under "Security," look at your "Your devices" list. See if you can ping the phone or if you have a backup of your photos in Google Photos.
- The Hardware Reset: If all else fails, perform the Recovery Mode wipe. Just be ready with your Google ID and password for the initial setup.
- Update your Recovery Info: Once you get back in, go to your Google account security settings and ensure your recovery phone number and backup email are up to date. This ensures that even if you forget your password again, you won't be locked out of the account that controls the phone.
- Use a Password Manager: Moving forward, don't rely on your memory. Store your phone's PIN in a secure manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. It sounds redundant, but it's the only way to be 100% sure you're never in this situation again.