Samsung Galaxy: Forgot Lock Pattern - What To Do?

If you forget your Samsung Galaxy unlock pattern, don't worry. We'll tell you how you can still unlock your device.

1st possibility: bypass blocking patterns with the Google account

This solution only works if you have a mobile internet connection.

1. Enter the pattern incorrectly until you get the message "Wait 30 seconds".
2. Then tap "Forgot pattern".
3. Enter the data of your Google account with which you set up your device.
4. After successful confirmation you can use the device again as usual and change the lockscreen code.

Option 2: Delete the unlock pattern of the Samsung Galaxy via APK

You can delete your unlock pattern with the so-called Android SDK - however, the developer option "USB Debugging" must be activated.

1. First, download the Android SDK onto your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to the PC.
3. Press the key combination [Windows] + [R] and start the Windows command prompt with the command "cmd".
4. Navigate here to the SDK folder "platform-tools". This works with the command "cd", for example "cd C: \ android \ platform-tools", if the folder is stored in "C: \".
5. Then execute the commands "adb remount" and "adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key" one after the other.
6. The pattern is then deleted and you can unlock the device with any code.

3rd possibility: Reset Samsung Galaxy to factory settings

If your smartphone does not have an internet connection or USB debugging, you only have the factory settings. This is how you delete all of your device's data - including the lock code:

1. First switch off the smartphone.
2. Press the volume up and power buttons at the same time to open the advanced developer options.
3. Use the volume up and volume down buttons to go to the "Factory Reset" item.
4. Use the volume up and volume down buttons to choose "yes" again to confirm the action.
5. Finally, press the power button to finalize the action.
6. The device is then restarted. After that, the previous unlock pattern and all files on the device are deleted.

This practical tip is based on Android 4.3. Once you know your code again, you can customize the lock screen of the Samsung Galaxy.