Picture this: You install a third-party app-locker application on your Android device to protect your important documents from unauthorized access. Days pass, and one day, you want to access those files, but cannot recall the password anymore. After multiple wrong attempts, you’re now locked out of the apps.
Sometimes, software errors also cause an encryption feature to malfunction and shut down the app when you try to open it, even when you remember the passcode. Read this blog for methods to unlock your app without password and recover important data.
Why are App Locks Important?
App lock is a security feature that protects apps and the private information stored in it, such as photos, messages, and documents, from unauthorized access. This feature might come built into your device, or you can install an app locker app to integrate this feature. App-locker apps protect your data from unauthorized access and theft by enabling a password-protected ecosystem for apps.
Primarily, app lockers protect your apps and data, but if you forget the password or pattern you’ve set, you might find yourself locked out of your own apps.
How to Reset Your App Password?
If you’ve forgotten your app lock password, you can begin by trying to reset it. Here’s how to reset a password and get access to your apps.
- Try Answering the Security Question – All app encryption services or apps come with a secondary unlock feature that can be used to reset the password. This is generally a security question comprising various questions, and you need to answer them correctly to unlock the apps.
- Reset Password from Menu – Check your app locker app for an option to reset the password. You can also try entering the wrong passwords more than 3 times to get a “forgot password” option and follow the on-screen instructions. However, for this method to work, your app locker app must be linked to your Google account.
- Clear the App’s Data – If the reset password feature is not working, try clearing the data of the app locker app. This will remove all the app’s settings and data so you can reset the app lock from the beginning with a new password.
- Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps.
- Find the app locker app in the list of apps.
- Click on the app, and from the menu, select Storage and Cache.
- Look for option to “Clear Storage” or “Clear App Data” and click on it.
- It will delete all data stored for this app.
Now, you can open the app and set a new password.
Note: If you’re using a rooted Android device or a high-end app encryption service provided by antivirus apps, clearing the app data may not work because of the additional security measures.
- Factory Reset Your Device – If all the above solutions to reset Android password fail, there’s one more solution, which comes with a price. You can do a factory reset of your entire device, which clears all data, apps, and settings, etc. overriding the app lock password. So, make sure to back up anything important before proceeding. After resetting your device, you can reinstall the app lock with a new password.
But what if you haven’t backed up your data, and the only option left is to reset your device? Don’t worry — there’s a solution for that too. Just read the next section
Methods to Recover Data Without App Lock Password
Whether you are locked out of your app or your app encryption feature is misbehaving due to a software glitch, it will make your data inaccessible. While there are ways to get that data, it can be a bit tricky on a device whose apps are locked out. Many smartphones and tablets have built-in backup features that allow you to restore your device data. If you have regularly backed up your device, you may be able to use this backup to recover your data and reset the app lock password.
1. Utilize Device Backups
If you have a backup of your data on Google Drive, this could be your saving grace. Many smartphones and tablets allow you to automatically back up your important files and photos to your Google account.
- Google Drive – If you’ve enabled this feature, you can quickly restore your data from your Google Drive backup without resetting your app lock.
- Google Photos – If you’ve been using Google’s photo storage service, your images and videos might be safely stored there. You can access them through your Google account, even if you can’t get into the locked app.
- External Storage – If you’ve been saving your data to an external device like a USB drive or SD card, you can recover the files directly from the external storage, bypassing the app lock altogether.
Suggested Read: Reliable Ways to Backup Your Android Device
These backup options can help you easily recover your data without dealing with a locked app.
2. Try Stellar Data Recovery for Android
Apart from backups, advanced Android data recovery tools like Stellar Data Recovery for Android can help you access data if your app is locked out or the app encryption feature is creating issues.
Key features of the software you can take advantage of:
- User-friendly interface: DIY software with an easy-to-use interface, even for non-techy users.
- Supports all Android devices: Compatible with all the latest Android smartphones and tablets, supports Android 7 to 14.
- Completely free to use: Scan your Android device for recoverable data with zero upfront cost.
- Assured Data Safety: Safely recovers data on your Windows computer with no risk of data theft or corruption.
How to Use Stellar Data Recovery for Android to Recover Lost Data:
- Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery for Android software on your Windows Computer.
- Open the software and connect your Android device to the computer.
- Select the type of files or data you want to recover. For e.g.., Photo, Videos, Audio, etc.
- Allow permissions to help the software scan your device’s internal storage.
- Once connected, select the device, and then hit the Scan button to start the device scan.
- Preview the recoverable files and save them with a few taps.
Overall, Stellar Data Recovery for Android is a powerful and user-friendly tool that can be a lifesaver when you’ve forgotten your app lock password. Whether you need to recover files, photos, or other data, this app has got your back.
Conclusion
Protecting your apps is necessary given the virus intrusions, unauthorized physical or remote access, etc. But you need to be mindful while setting up app encryption on your device. Always note down the exact answer to the security question for your app lock, including capitalization. This will help you easily reset your app lock password later. Also, remember to regularly back up your device to Google Drive or other cloud backups to avoid this problem in the future.
How to recover a hidden app password?
Recall all the possible combinations of password that you usually use as passcode. If that does not help, click on forgot password and answer the security questions correctly.
How to change my app lock password?
To change the app lock password, you can simply open the app lock app and go to settings, and look for the Change privacy password or Reset Password option. Then you need to enter the old privacy password along with the new privacy password.
Can I reset my app lock password if I forget it?
Yes, you can reset your app lock password if you forget the old password. However, you must remember the security answer or find other ways to bypass the lock before you can reach the reset password.
Can I wipe delete data from a locked Android phone?
Yes, it is possible to wipe delete data from a locked Android phone with the help of Find my device app’s reset device feature. This app by Google also allows you to find and locate your Android phone in case it is lost or stolen.
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