Forgot Your Motorola Unlock PIN, Pattern or Password? How to Reset It

If you forget the PIN, pattern or password that unlocks your Motorola phone, the only way back in is to erase the phone, set it up again and choose a new screen lock. After the reset, the phone asks for the Google account that was on it, so first make sure you know that Gmail address and password.

Quick steps: Check your Google account at accounts.google.com → turn the phone off → hold Power + Volume down → Recovery mode → Wipe data/factory reset → Reboot system now.

Before you start

  • All data on the phone will be erased. Anything backed up to your Google account (photos, contacts, app data) can be restored after setup.
  • You need the Gmail address and password that were on the phone. Without them the phone stays locked after the reset (Factory Reset Protection).
  • Charge the phone to at least 20%.

Check you can sign in to your Google account (on a computer)

  1. Google Sign in page with the email field and Forgot email link highlighted
    Step 1

    Sign in at accounts.google.com

    On a computer, go to accounts.google.com and enter your email address or phone number. If you can’t remember your email address, choose Forgot email? and follow the steps using your recovery phone number or email.

  2. Google password page with the password field and Forgot password link highlighted
    Step 2

    Enter your password

    Enter your password. If you can’t remember it, choose Forgot password? Google asks for your last password; if you don’t know it, choose Try another way.

  3. Google Account recovery page with the Enter code field and Next button highlighted
    Step 3

    Verify it’s you

    Google sends a verification code to your recovery email or phone. Enter the code and choose Next.

  4. Google Change password page with the new password fields and Save password button
    Step 4

    Create a new password

    Enter a new password, confirm it and choose Save password. Use this new password when you set up the phone again.

    Tip: If you just changed your Google password, Google may ask you to wait up to 24 hours before resetting the phone.

Factory reset the phone from recovery mode

  1. Motorola phone switched off
    Step 1

    Turn the phone off

    Make sure the battery has at least 20% charge, then turn the phone off completely.

  2. Phone with the Power and Volume down buttons highlighted
    Step 2

    Open the boot menu

    Press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button together until the boot menu appears.

  3. Boot menu with Start and the volume buttons highlighted
    Step 3

    Choose Recovery mode

    Press Volume down until RECOVERY MODE is shown, then press the Power button to select it. You’ll see an Android robot with “No command”.

  4. No command screen with the Power and Volume up buttons highlighted
    Step 4

    Open the recovery menu

    Press and hold the Power button, then press and release the Volume up button. The recovery menu appears.

  5. Android recovery menu with Wipe data/factory reset highlighted
    Step 5

    Select Wipe data/factory reset

    Use Volume down to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then press the Power button.

  6. Recovery confirmation with Factory data reset highlighted
    Step 6

    Confirm Factory data reset

    Use Volume down to highlight Factory data reset, then press the Power button to confirm.

  7. Recovery menu after the wipe with Reboot system now highlighted
    Step 7

    Reboot and set up the phone

    When the wipe finishes, select Reboot system now and press the Power button. The phone restarts as new — set it up, sign in with your Google account and choose a new screen lock.

Frequently asked questions

Can I unlock my Motorola phone without losing data?

No. If you’ve forgotten the screen lock there is no supported way to unlock it without erasing the phone. Data backed up to your Google account can be restored after setup.

What is Factory Reset Protection (FRP)?

It’s an Android security feature. After a reset, the phone asks for the Google account that was previously on it, so a thief can’t use it. That’s why you need your Gmail address and password before resetting.

What if I can’t remember my Google account either?

Use Google’s account recovery (Forgot email? / Forgot password?) on a computer. If you still can’t get in, take the phone and its purchase invoice to an authorised Motorola service centre.

Still having problems? It may be a hardware fault. Check the Motorola spare part prices for your model, or compare battery and display replacement costs.

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Steps and screenshots based on Motorola's official Forgot unlock code tutorial. Steps can vary slightly by model and Android version.