Reset a HTC Smartphone when Locked Out

Forgot your passcode or swipe pattern to access your HTC smartphone? Android has a built-in way to bypass the lock screen if you have the right Google credentials. If that fails, resetting the device to it's factory settings may be the only option. In either case, you can have access to your phone again in just a few minutes.

Steps

Signing in with Your Google Account

  1. Try the PIN or pattern five times. In order to bypass the password lock, you will need to attempt to enter it five times. You phone will lock again, and you will be given the option to log in using an alternative method.[1]
  2. Tap "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Pattern". This button will bring up the Google account login screen, allowing you to log in by providing the Google account credentials for the account associated with the phone.
    • If you are a Verizon customer, this method will not work. You get 10 attempts and then the phone is wiped. You cannot bypass the lock using your Google account.
  3. Enter your Google account information. Enter in the Google account name and password. This must be the account that was used when the phone was setup for the first time. If you can't remember your Google password, recover it by trying to log into a Google site on a computer.
    • Ensure you are connected to a mobile network or WiFi. In order to sign in using this method, the phone must be connected to the internet. If airplane mode is on, press and hold the Power button until the Power menu appears. Tap the airplane logo to toggle airplane mode off.
  4. Set a new password. Once you are logged in, set a new lock screen password so that you can safely lock and access your device again. You can do this by tapping the Settings app, selecting Security, and then choosing whether to lock with a PIN, pattern, or password.

Resetting the Phone

  1. Turn the phone off. In order to access the Recovery menu, you will need to start with a powered down phone. Press and hold the Power button until the Power menu appears. Tap the Power icon to shut the phone down. Resetting your phone will erase all of the data on it, and should only be used as a last-ditch effort.
    • If the phone is frozen, you can power it down by removing the battery from the back.
  2. Open the Recovery menu. Press and hold the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Power button. Hold both buttons for about 30 seconds. Once the Android image appears, you can release the buttons.
  3. Perform a Factory Reset. Use the Volume Down button to navigate the menu. Select “Factory Reset”, and then press the Power button to continue. The factory reset process will take several minutes.[2]
    • When you select Factory Reset, your data will be erased.
  4. Log in and set up your phone. After the factory reset has completed, you will be asked to set up your phone as if it was new. If you log in with a Google account that was previously associated with the phone, and you Back-Up-an-Android-Phone-on-the-Google-Cloud, your settings will be restored.
    • You will be able to re-download any applications that you've purchased through the Play Store as long as you're using the same account they were purchased with.[3]
    • Any contacts stored in Google Contacts will be synced to your account automatically.

Tips

  • This is only recommended if you are locked out and you feel you have no way of remembering the password, since you have to start from scratch.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/how-to/locked-out-your-phone-heres-you-bypass-android-pattern-lock-screen-0138807/
  2. ↑ http://www.htc.com/us/support/htc-one-m8/howto/465049.html
  3. ↑ http://www.mycricket.com/community/cell-phone-info/getting-locked-out-your-android-phone
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