Have you ever found yourself with a locked phone and can't remember the pattern, PIN, or password? Or maybe your smartphone isn't responding, the screen is frozen, or you just need to restore your phone to factory settings. You've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to do it clearly and professionally. how to reset a locked phone Step by step, the different methods that exist depending on the brand and situation, and all the details and precautions you should take into account to regain access to your Android device (and also iPhone, if you need it).
When and why is it necessary to reset a locked phone?
Reset a locked mobile It involves deleting all data, settings, accounts, and applications of the device, returning it to its original factory state. This procedure is irreversible, so it's essential to consider when to resort to it. The most common situations are:
- Forgotten pattern, PIN or password: This is the main reason why users are forced to use a hard reset.
- Lock by facial recognition or fingerprint: These systems ultimately rely on the primary unlocking method, so if you don't remember your PIN or password, you won't be able to access it using biometrics either.
- System failure or other technical blockages: A serious error in the operating system, malware, or a frozen screen may prevent you from using your phone normally.
- Prepare your phone for sale or donation: It is essential to erase all personal data before giving the device to another person.
- Remove viruses or persistent malware: If your device's security is compromised and there is no way to remove the malicious software.
Warning: Resetting a locked phone will erase all your information, photos, apps, files, and accounts. There is no way to recover them if you did not have a previous backup.Consider doing this before continuing if possible, and check that your primary account (Google, Apple ID) is correctly registered to avoid anti-theft lockouts after the reset.
Soft reset or hard reset? Types of reset
There are two main types of resets on mobile phones and tablets:
- Soft Reset: It consists of restarting the device's system, forcing it to shut down and then turn back on. It is useful for unlocking due to occasional crashes, freezes, or minor errors, and does not delete your data.
- Hard Reset (factory reset): Restore your phone to its original factory state. Erase all data, apps, accounts, and personal settings. This is the method you need when you can't remember your PIN, pattern, or when your phone is completely inaccessible.
Soft reset: Press the power button for about 10-30 seconds until the phone reboots.
hard reset: It requires accessing the system recovery, usually by combining physical buttons. This is the appropriate method if your phone is locked and you can't access the system in any way.
Advanced Methods: Other Alternatives for Locked Mobile Phones
In addition to the classic method via physical buttons, there are advanced solutions and external tools that can help you depending on the model and situation:
- Google Find My Device: If your Android phone is linked to a Google account and the service is activated, access it from this link on a different PC or phone. Sign in and select "Erase Device" to perform a remote reset. Hours: The mobile must have an Internet connection and location enabled before blocking.
- Third Party Tools: There are programs like Dr.Fone, iMyFone LockWiper or similar. They allow you to unlock screens, bypass locks and perform hard reset without a password.They are especially useful for Samsung, Huawei, LG, and Xiaomi models, among others. They require access to a PC, software installation, and the instructions for connecting and selecting a model.
- Custom Recovery or Custom ROMs: This method is only recommended for advanced users. It involves installing a different recovery (such as TWRP) and then wiping data from there. It generally requires root permissions or an unlocked bootloader, which may not be possible if the device is locked.
- Manufacturer Support: Some manufacturers, such as Samsung with its Find My Mobile service or Apple with iCloud, offer remote wipe and online unlock options.
General procedure to reset any locked Android
On most Android phones, the process to reset a locked phone is similar, although there may be slight variations depending on the manufacturer. Take note of the standard procedure:
- Turn off your phone completely.
- Press the power button and the volume up (or down) button at the same time. Hold both buttons for several seconds. On some models, you may also need to press the Home key, if present.
- When the manufacturer's logo appears, release them to access the recovery menu (Recovery Mode).
- Scroll with the volume buttons to the option “Wipe data/factory reset”.
- Select with the power button and confirm the total deletion.
- Wait for the process to complete and select "Reboot system now" to restart your phone.
Note: Some customization layers may alter the exact button combination. If the procedure doesn't work on your phone, check your manufacturer's official website or see the brand-specific guide below.
How to reset a locked Samsung phone
- Turn off your phone completely.
- Simultaneously press the power button and volume up key (on some devices, also the Bixby key).
- When you feel the vibration or see the Samsung logo, release the buttons.
- The Recovery menu will appear. Scroll down to “Wipe data/factory reset” with the volume down key. Press the power button to select.
- Confirm the operation on the screen. The process will erase all data and leave your phone as good as new.
How to reset a locked Xiaomi phone
- Turn off the phone completely.
- Press and hold the power button and volume up key simultaneously.
- When the Xiaomi (or MI) logo appears, release both buttons.
- You will access the MIUI recovery menu. Scroll down to “Wipe data/factory reset” using the volume keys.
- Select with the power button and confirm the deletion.
- To finish, select “Reboot system now”.
How to reset a locked Huawei phone
- Turn off the device completely.
- Press the power button and volume up key simultaneously.
- When you feel the vibration, release both buttons.
- You will access the Recovery menu. Use the volume buttons to select “Wipe data/factory reset” and confirm with the power button.
- Confirm on screen and wait for the process to finish.
- Click on “Reboot system now” to restart.
How to reset a locked Motorola phone
- Power off the terminal.
- Hold down the power button and volume down key at the same time until the phone turns on.
- When you see the “Fastboot” or “Start” menu, use the volume buttons to scroll to “Recovery mode” and confirm with power.
- If the Android robot appears with an exclamation mark, press and hold the power button and tap the volume up button once to display the menu.
- Scroll to “Wipe data/factory reset” and confirm.
- Choose “Yes” to erase all data.
- Select “Reboot system now” to finish.
How to reset a locked LG phone
- Turn off the device completely.
- Hold down the power button and volume down key a few seconds.
- When the LG logo appears, release and hold the power button, without releasing the volume down button.
- You'll enter the factory menu. Use the volume up key to navigate to "Factory data reset" and select it with the power key.
- Select “Yes” twice to confirm.
How to reset a locked Oppo, Realme, OnePlus, Honor, Sony, and Nokia phone
- Oppo and realme: Turn off the device, press and hold the power and volume down buttons, wait for the logo, release, access the Recovery menu and choose “Wipe data” > “Format Data” > Ok.
- OnePlus: Turn off, hold down the power button and press the volume down key, enter Recovery, select “Wipe data/factory reset” or “Format Data”.
- Honor: Similar to Huawei. Power on, volume up, Recovery, “Wipe data/factory reset.”
- Sony: Power on and volume down at the same time (or on some models, power on and volume up), access Recovery and select “Wipe data/factory reset”.
- Nokia: Power off, power on, volume up, Recovery, “Wipe data/factory reset”.
Methods to reset a locked iPhone
- From the settings (if you have access):
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- If you don't remember the unlock code: You will need a computer with iTunes installed.
- Connect your iPhone to your PC/Mac using the USB cable.
- Open iTunes and select your iPhone in the left pane.
- Tap “Restore iPhone.” iTunes will download the latest version of iOS and reinstall the system on your device.
- Upon completion, the phone will return to factory settings.
Important: After the reset, you'll need your Apple ID and password to activate your device and bypass Activation Lock.
Can you reset a locked phone without losing data?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to perform a hard reset. without erasing all the information on the phoneBasic precautions:
- Back up to the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Samsung Cloud, etc.) before losing access, if possible.
- For specific blockages or freezing, try first the soft-reset (restart).
- Some third-party programs claim to be able to restore data without loss on specific models, but there's no universal guarantee. Use them at your own risk and read real-world user reviews.
Recommendations before resetting your locked mobile phone
- Write down your accounts, passwords and main credentials before proceeding. After the reset, you'll need to log in again to bypass anti-theft protection (Google, Samsung, Apple ID).
- Unpair the device beforehand security services if you have access, such as Google or Apple's "Find My Device."
- Save your IMEI in case you need technical support if something doesn't work after the process.
- Consider whether you need to store important photos, videos, or files on a computer, SD card, or the cloud before the reset.
Frequently asked questions about resetting locked phones
- Do I void my warranty if I do a hard reset? No, it is a standard and essential operation to resolve blockages or sell the device.
- Does resetting delete my Google account or Apple ID? The phone is temporarily unpaired, but may require your credentials after powering on to complete the initial setup.
- What if I forgot the account after formatting? The system will activate anti-theft protection (FRP on Android, Activation Lock on Apple). You'll need to recover your account from the Google or Apple website before you can use the device.
- Is the data on the SIM or microSD erased? No, a hard reset only affects the phone's internal storage. You can remove the SD card and SIM card if you prefer to further protect your data.
Alternative solutions: data recovery before reset
If you have very important information that you don't want to lose and your phone is locked, there are a few methods you can try before performing a hard reset:
- Connect your phone to a PC using a USB cable. If it's recognized and you can access the internal storage, recover important files manually.
- Use data extraction programs (such as Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, or similar). Not all of them are 100% effective, but they can help in cases where the device is detected but the touch screen is unresponsive.
- In some cases, it focuses the query on a professional technical service if the stored information is extremely critical.
Consequences of resetting a locked phone
The main and most important consequences that you should be clear about before starting the process:
- All personal information is deleted (photos, videos, conversations, apps, accounts, settings…)
- The phone remains the same as when you took it out of the box., ready to be configured from scratch.
- System updates are maintained and possible anti-theft protection (FRP or Activation Lock).
- It does not alter or affect the memory of the SIM or microSD. (if you have one inserted).
- If there are software problems, viruses or crashes due to system failures, Resetting usually solves 99% of cases..
Remember that this tutorial covers the most effective and safe methods to reset a locked mobile phone Regardless of the brand. If your device doesn't appear in the list above, remember:
- The button combination is usually power + volume up/down.
- Check your manufacturer's official website for less common models.
With all this information, you can now regain control of your device and leave it ready for a new beginning. A factory reset is a powerful tool, both for resolving serious issues and for optimizing and freeing up space on your phone. Always make a backup and don't lose your most important credentials. A properly reset phone returns to its smooth, secure state.