This article explains how to unlock a Google Pixel without the password, including tips for how to unlock your Pixel phone if you’ve forgotten the password and what to do if you can’t unlock the phone.

What to Know

  • Use fingerprint sensor/face unlock if available. If not, reset and restore your phone.Navigate to the Pixel repair tool website, connect your Pixel via USB, and follow the on-screen prompts to reset.Turn off phone > press and hold Power and Volume Down > Recovery Mode > press Power and Volume Up > Wipe data/factory reset.

How Do You Unlock a Google Pixel If You Forgot Your Password?

If you’ve forgotten the password to your Google Pixel, there are a few ways to unlock it. These options are only available if you set them up before forgetting your password.

Here are the different ways you can unlock a Google Pixel without the password:

If you didn’t set up any of the alternative unlocking methods prior to forgetting the password for your Google Pixel, then there is no way to unlock it.

  • Fingerprint sensor: Every Pixel phone has a fingerprint sensor, aside from the Pixel 4. The sensor is in-screen of the Pixel 6 and on the backside of other Pixels. You can touch your fingertip to the sensor to unlock your Pixel if this feature is enabled.
  • Face unlock: Pixel 4 includes a face unlock feature. If you set this up before forgetting your password, you can pick up your Pixel and hold it in front of your face to unlock it.
  • Pattern unlock: If you enabled pattern unlock, you can trace your chosen pattern on the lock screen instead of entering a password.

How Do You Unlock a Google Phone Without the Password?

The only way to regain access to your phone without a password or an alternative unlocking method is to perform a factory reset. If you backed up your phone before forgetting the password, you can restore it after completing the factory reset.

There are three ways to reset a Google Pixel if you’ve forgotten the password. You can use the web-based Pixel repair tool from Google, Google Find My Phone, or you can use the phone’s built-in recovery mode. The web-based tool is the best option because it installs the latest version of Android in addition to factory resetting your phone. If you use the other options, you’ll need to update Android manually after resetting your phone.

The Google Find My Phone option requires you to have access to your Google account, while the other two methods require physical access to your Pixel phone.

How to Unlock a Pixel Phone With the Pixel Repair Tool

The Pixel repair tool is primarily for updating Android if you’re having problems, but it can factory reset your phone if you’ve forgotten your password. It is functionally similar to resetting with Google Find My Phone or the system recovery menu, but it installs the latest version of Android in addition to resetting your phone.

Here’s how to unlock a Pixel phone with the Pixel repair tool:

Google recommends you back up your Pixel before using the repair tool, but that isn’t possible if you don’t know your PIN or password and can’t unlock the phone. If you’ve never backed up your Pixel, all of your data will be lost when you reset it.

  • On your computer, navigate to the Pixel repair tool site using a compatible web browser.
  • Click Select Your Carrier.
  • Select your carrier.
  • Click Get Started.
  • Turn your phone off.
  • Click Next.
  • Press and hold the power and volume down buttons on your Pixel until the phone turns on and enters Fastboot mode.
  • Use the volume buttons to highlight Rescue Mode, and select it with the power button.
  • Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.
  • Return to the Pixel repair website on your computer, and click Connect phone.
  • Click Factory reset and reinstall.
  • A factory reset removes all the data from your phone and installs the latest version of Android. If you haven’t backed up your phone, you will lose your photos, settings, and other information on the phone.
  • Click Confirm.
  • Leave your Pixel connected to your computer during the reset and reinstallation process.
  • After the process has finished, you can restore your backup if you have one.

How to Factory Reset a Google Pixel Using Google Find My Device

If you’ve forgotten the PIN to unlock your Pixel, you can perform a factory reset using the Google Find My Device website.

On your computer, navigate to the Pixel repair tool site using a compatible web browser.

Click Select Your Carrier.

Select your carrier.

Click Get Started.

Turn your phone off.

Click Next.

Press and hold the power and volume down buttons on your Pixel until the phone turns on and enters Fastboot mode.

Use the volume buttons to highlight Rescue Mode, and select it with the power button.

Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.

Return to the Pixel repair website on your computer, and click Connect phone.

Click Factory reset and reinstall.

A factory reset removes all the data from your phone and installs the latest version of Android. If you haven’t backed up your phone, you will lose your photos, settings, and other information on the phone.

Click Confirm.

Leave your Pixel connected to your computer during the reset and reinstallation process.

After the process has finished, you can restore your backup if you have one.

  • Navigate to the Google Find My Device website.
  • Click your phone in the upper left corner of the site.
  • Click Erase Device.
  • Click Erase Device again.
  • Your phone will reset after you complete this step, erasing any data stored on the phone.
  • After resetting your Pixel, you will have to set it up and install your backup if you have one.

How to Factory Reset a Google Pixel Using Recovery Mode

If you have your Pixel, you can perform a factory reset using recovery mode. This mode is built right into the phone, and you can access it even if you’ve forgotten your phone’s password or PIN.

If you use this method, it will restore the version of Android that came with your phone. You will need to download and install updates manually in addition to restoring your backup if you have one.

Navigate to the Google Find My Device website.

Click your phone in the upper left corner of the site.

Click Erase Device.

Click Erase Device again.

Your phone will reset after you complete this step, erasing any data stored on the phone.

After resetting your Pixel, you will have to set it up and install your backup if you have one.

Here’s how to factory reset a Pixel using recovery mode:

  • Turn off your phone.
  • Press and hold volume down and power.
  • Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery Mode, and select it with the power button.
  • Press and hold power, press volume up, and let go of both at the same time.
  • Select Wipe data/factory reset.
  • Select Factory data reset.
  • This will permanently erase all of the data that’s stored on your phone.
  • Wait for the reset to finish, and select Reboot system now.
  • Your phone will reboot, and then you can set it up or restore a backup if you have one.

Turn off your phone.

Press and hold volume down and power.

Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery Mode, and select it with the power button.

Press and hold power, press volume up, and let go of both at the same time.

Select Wipe data/factory reset.

Select Factory data reset.

This will permanently erase all of the data that’s stored on your phone.

Wait for the reset to finish, and select Reboot system now.

Your phone will reboot, and then you can set it up or restore a backup if you have one.

  • How do I take a screenshot on a Google Pixel?
  • To take a screenshot on a Google Pixel if you’re running Android 11 or newer, press the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. The screen flashes when the screenshot is captured. If you’re running Android 9 or 10, press and hold the Power button, and then choose Screenshot.
  • How do I screen record on a Google Pixel?
  • To record your screen on a Google Pixel, swipe down twice from the top of the screen and select Screen Record. You may need to swipe right to locate this option. If you don’t see the screen record option, tap Edit and drag Screen Record into Quick Settings.
  • How do I turn off Live Caption on a Google Pixel?
  • To change your Google Pixel Live Caption settings, press the Volume button and then press Live Caption beneath the volume controls. This will turn the function on or off. You can also touch and hold the caption box and drag it up or down to move it.

To take a screenshot on a Google Pixel if you’re running Android 11 or newer, press the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. The screen flashes when the screenshot is captured. If you’re running Android 9 or 10, press and hold the Power button, and then choose Screenshot.

To record your screen on a Google Pixel, swipe down twice from the top of the screen and select Screen Record. You may need to swipe right to locate this option. If you don’t see the screen record option, tap Edit and drag Screen Record into Quick Settings.

To change your Google Pixel Live Caption settings, press the Volume button and then press Live Caption beneath the volume controls. This will turn the function on or off. You can also touch and hold the caption box and drag it up or down to move it.

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