How to unlock a Google Pixel without a password

You can unlock your Google Pixel device without a passcode while still keeping your device secure. There are multiple ways to unlock your Pixel phone or tablet, including passwords and patterns. The best Pixel phones offer these features, while older models may not have access to all of them. We show you how to set up alternative ways to unlock your Google Pixel phone and how to unlock your phone if you forget your password.

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quarterly Pixel Feature Drop
, which occasionally includes new security features for your Pixel phone, tablet, or smartwatch.

Can you unlock your Google Pixel if you forget your passcode?

Yes, you can, but you must factory reset your Google Pixel first. It’s important to back up your smartphone because it can restore your files after completing the factory reset. There are multiple ways to securely access your Google Pixel phone, even if you don’t remember the passcode.

How long will my Google Pixel get updates?

Google’s Pixel phones are some of the longest-supported Android phones

Alternative unlocking methods you can try

If you set up fingerprint, pattern, or face unlock on your Google Pixel phone, you can unlock it without your passcode. These methods let you access your phone without factory resetting your Google Pixel. However, these options are only available if you set them up before forgetting your passcode. If you haven’t set up an alternative unlocking method, follow the advanced methods to unlock your Google Pixel.

Change your Google Pixel’s device lock

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Security & privacy.
Scroll down and tap Device unlock.
Tap Screen lock.
Select your screen lock method.

The Swipe and None options do not protect your Google Pixel phone with a device lock. Do not select these options if you keep sensitive data on your Pixel phone.

Unlock your Pixel with your fingerprint

Every Google Pixel phone, apart from the Google Pixel 4, has a dedicated fingerprint scanner. On modern Google Pixel phones, you get an in-display fingerprint scanner, whereas older versions have it on the back of the device. If you set up your fingerprint along with a passcode, scan your fingertip on the sensor to unlock the phone.

Use face recognition to unlock your Pixel

If you set up face recognition before forgetting your password, you can easily unlock it. Wake up your phone and hold it in front of your face so that the selfie camera can scan your face and unlock your phone.

Unlock your Pixel with a pattern

Pattern unlock is another way to unlock a Google Pixel if you forget the passcode. Trace the pattern on the lock screen and unlock your phone.

How can I unlock a Google Pixel without a passcode?

There are three ways to unlock a Google Pixel without a passcode. Let’s check out each method one by one.

Whichever method you go for, you’ll perform a factory reset of your phone. If you never backed up your Pixel, all your data is lost when you reset it.

Use the Pixel Repair tool

The Pixel Repair Tool is an official tool that doesn’t unlock Google Pixel phones. Instead, it updates them. But you can factory reset your phone, which lets you unlock your device without a passcode. The best part about using the Pixel Repair tool is that it installs the latest Android version after resetting your phone, which isn’t possible with other methods discussed in this guide.

Here’s how to use the Pixel Repair tool to unlock a Google Pixel phone:

Launch any web browser on your PC and visit the Pixel Repair tool website.
Click Get Started at the bottom.
Power off your phone.
On the Prepare your Pixel phone page, click Next.
Press and hold the power and volume down buttons on your phone until the phone turns on to enter Fastboot mode.
Using the volume buttons, navigate to the Rescue Mode and select it using the power button.
Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your PC.
Go to the Pixel Repair website and click Connect phone.
Click Factory reset and reinstall.
Select Confirm.

The factory reset process begins. Leave your Pixel phone connected to your PC until the process is completed. When the process finishes, restore your data using the backup if you have one.

Use Google Find My Device

You can also use the Google Find My Device website, which is usually used to locate a lost phone, reset a Google Pixel phone, and unlock it without a passcode.

If you reset your Pixel phone using Google Find My Device, your device is restored to the Android version that was pre-installed on your phone. You must perform a system update to get the latest Android version.

Here are the steps to reset a Google Pixel using Find My Device:

Visit the Google Find My Device website in any browser on your PC.
Log in with the account you use on your phone if you aren’t logged in.
Select your phone from the upper-left corner of the page.
Click Erase device.
Click Erase device again.

After the process is complete, you must set up your Google Pixel again and restore the files using the backup you have.

Use Recovery Mode

You can use Recovery Mode on your Google Pixel to reset the phone to factory settings. This mode is built into the phone. You don’t need a computer or laptop to carry out this process. Here’s how to unlock a Google Pixel without a passcode using the Recover Mode method:

Power off your phone.
Press and hold the power and volume down buttons to boot into Recovery Mode.
Use the volume up and down buttons to navigate and highlight Recovery Mode, and select it with the power button.
Press and hold the power and volume up buttons and release them at the same time.
Choose Wipe data/factory reset.
Select Factory data reset.
After the process finishes, select Reboot system now.

When your phone boots up, set it up and restore your data using a previously created backup.

Use ADB and Fastboot (For rooted phones)

If you have a rooted Google Pixel, use ADB commands and Fastboot to reset your lock screen and unlock your Google Pixel without a passcode.

Rooting your phone is a technical process that smartphone manufacturers might consider warranty-voiding. If things go wrong, it could cause issues ranging from data loss to a bricked device. Being rooted can remove some security protection features and leave you vulnerable to outside threats. Ensure you understand the risks involved when rooting an Android device before proceeding.

This process only works if you have a rooted phone and the USB Debugging option is activated on your phone. For the steps to activate USB debugging, read our guide on how to install ADB. Here are the steps you’ll follow to unlock your Google Pixel without a passcode using ADB and Fastboot:

Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
Connect the Google Pixel phone to your PC using a USB cable.
Open a Command Prompt window on your PC.
Type the command below and press Enter.
```
adb devices 
```

Execute the commands below one by one and press Enter after each one.

adb shell

cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases

sqlite3 settings.db

update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';

update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';

.quit

exit

adb reboot

After your phone boots up, enter the commands below and press Enter after each one.
```
adb shell 
```
```
rm /data/system/gesture.key 
```
```
exit 
```
```
adb reboot 
```

Your phone restarts again, and you can enter any random pattern to unlock your phone.

Always set an alternative device lock

The best way to keep your device secure and avoid getting locked out is to set multiple device lock methods. Adding fingerprint recognition and a passcode means you can sign in to your device even if you forget your passcode. After securing your device from physical access, keep your data safe by protecting your Google Pixel from spam calls and texts.

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