How to Break the Android Pattern Lock on a Phone

By Mandy Slake

If you have forgotten the unlock pattern for your Android phone, it doesn't mean you're locked out of the device permanently. You can break the code by entering the account information from the Gmail account you used when setting up the device. The phone will check the email address and password you provide against your login credentials on the Gmail site. If the information matches, the phone will unlock and prompt you for a new pattern.

Step 1

Enter a wrong pattern five times. A message will display on the screen announcing that you must wait before you can enter the pattern again.

Step 2

Touch "OK" and two buttons will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3

Tap the "Forgot pattern?" button. The screen changes and the Account Unlock screen opens.

Step 4

Enter the Gmail email address and password that you used to set up your phone, then touch the "Sign in" button. The phone will prompt you to enter a new pattern.

Step 5

Enter your new pattern and touch "Continue." Draw the pattern again and touch "Confirm."

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