To factory reset a locked Android phone, follow these steps: 1) Turn off the device and press the volume up and power button simultaneously to enter recovery mode. 2) Use the volume buttons to navigate to the “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” option and select it using the power button. 3) Confirm the action by selecting “Yes” when prompted. 4) Wait for the reset process to complete and then reboot the device. Note that this will erase all data on the phone, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding with the reset.

Factory Reset a Locked Android Phone – The Two Free Methods
If you forget your password and are unable to unlock your phone, you have two free options to retrieve access to your device:
- Google Find My Device – where you can erase your Android remotely.
- Recovery Mode by Android – the alternative option in case you didn’t activate this Google feature.
For both methods, you need to know your Google account information, like the e-mail and password you used to set up your phone.
In case you lack this data, your Android will be locked permanently. Android put this measure in place to keep thieves from using your phone after the factory reset.
Factory Reset Locked Android Phone With Find My Device
As recently referenced, the most straightforward and quickest choice to recuperate your telephone is to utilize the “Track down My Gadget” included by Google. This element is normally turned on naturally. In the event that you switched it off sooner or later, you wouldn’t have the option to do a manufacturing plant reset along these lines.
- Explore “android.com/find.”
- Sign in to the Google account you utilized as the fundamental record on your cell phone.
- Pick the gadget you wish to delete from the rundown of gadgets (assuming you utilize multiple).
- Pick “Eradicate gadget,” then, at that point, press “Delete gadget” again to finish the activity.
- Adhere to the on-screen guidelines to recuperate your telephone.
The framework will request that you check your Google data from your unique telephone before you can continue to set your telephone up.
Factory Reset Locked Android Phone With Recovery Mode
Different telephone producers have various strides for entering Recuperation Mode. In this article, we share directions for HTC, Google Pixel, Nexus 6P, LG, Motorola, and Samsung.
Google Pixel and Nexus 6P
- Switch off your Android gadget by holding down the Power button.
- Hold the Power button alongside the Volume down button. Do as such until you see your telephone booting into its “Fastboot” Mode. Framework data will show up along with a menu on the right-hand side of the screen.
- Travel through the menu by squeezing the Volume buttons.
- View as the “Recuperation Mode” and hit the Power Button to enter it.
- A Google logo will show up on a white screen, trailed by an Android mascot saying “No order.”
- Hold the Power button and then the Volume up.
- You’ll see another menu with various framework orders. Explore to “Plant reset” or “Wipe Information” utilizing your Volume buttons.
- Press the Power button to perform the factory reset.
HTC
- Turn off your device by holding down the Power button.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time.
- Let go of the two button after three seconds to enter the Recovery Mode.
- Touch the phone’s screen or manipulate the Volume buttons to select Factory Reset/Wipe Data.
- A message asking you to confirm wiping off your user data will pop up. Confirm by using the Volume buttons or by touching the screen.
LG
- Power off your LG phone by holding down the Power button.
- Hold the Volume down and Power buttons for 10 seconds.
- Release when you see System recovery on display. Once you see the LG logo, if you’re an LG V30 user, you should release and re-hold the Power button while holding the Volume down button.
- Navigate to “Factory Data Reset” with the volume buttons.
- Hit the Lock or Power buttons to select your option.
- Confirm your choice by pressing any Volume button.
- Confirm again by hitting the Lock or Power buttons.
Motorola
- Turn off your Motorola phone by holding down the Power button.
- Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons and wait for the options menu to show.
- Head to “Recovery Mode” with the volume buttons.
- Press the Power button to enter Recovery mode.
- An Android robot will appear on the screen with an exclamation mark in red. When you see this, hold down the Power button and hit the Volume Up button.
- Navigate through the menu using the volume buttons and select “Factory reset” or “Wipe data” using the Power button.
- Select “Yes” and hit the Power button to confirm.
Samsung
- Turn off your Samsung device by holding down the Power button.
- Hold these two buttons at the same time: Volume up, Power.
- Release two buttons when the device starts vibrating.
- You’ll see a screen menu.
- Manipulate the Volume down button for the “Wipe data/factory reset” option to highlight. Select pressing the Power button, then press this button again to confirm.
Note that some Samsung phones don’t have a Home button:
- Note 20
- Galaxy S21
- Galaxy S20
- Galaxy S11
- Galaxy S10
If you own any of these phones, follow the steps below:
- Turn off your Samsung device by holding the Power button.
- Hold the Volume up, and Power buttons at the same time.
- Release when your device starts vibrating.
- You’ll see a screen menu in around 30 seconds. Highlight the “Wipe data/Factory reset” option using the Volume down button. Select the option using the Power button.
- Hit the Power button once again to confirm by pressing “Yes – delete all user data.”
Some reports state that Android 11 devices and newer need to be connected to a USB cable on a computer in order to enter Recovery Mode. Although not always the case, your phone may require this before starting the recovery process.
If your phone won’t enter the Recovery Mode after following the steps outlined above, try connecting it to your computer as suggested.
Alternative Method: Use an Unlocking Tool
If you find the abovementioned methods too complicated, there may be another option you can try. You can reset the factory settings and keep your files at the same time. However, this is a premium option that will cost you money.
The DroidKit software is a premium software that lets you bypass your screen lock. All it takes is to connect your Android device to a computer, install the DroidKit software, and remove the lock.
If you haven’t performed a cloud backup and are okay with paying some money to keep your valuable data, this premium software is definitely worth trying.
Here are the steps you should follow to unlock your phone in this way:
- Open DroidKit on your computer and enter the “Screen Uncloker” mode.
- Connect the Android device you wish to unlock and press the “Start” button.
- Hit the “Remove Now” button once it appears on the screen.
- Pick your Android model and follow the instructions to erase your lock screen.
The system will do a factory reset of your device at the same time.
The good news is that there is a free trial, so you may not have to spend too much to get the most out of the program.
Hard Android Phone Reset – Debunked
Being locked out of your phone can be hugely inconvenient. However, if you have your data backed up and have the “Find My Device” feature enabled, you should be able to regain access to your phone in a matter of minutes.
If you have to perform the factory reset using the Recovery Mode, follow the steps presented in this article, and you’ll be good to go. Alternatively, if you’d rather pay a “fee,” you can also use premium software to get around the issue.
Did you have your files backed up on cloud software before performing the factory reset? Which of the two options outlined above did you try? Share your experience in the comments section below.