Android phone locked and the original google password lost. Is a hard reset ...

grumbler

... the only regular way to go? Any other reliable ways of bypassing this?

Google password can be reset, but apparently the phone needs the original one for unlocking.

I can't check myself and am asking for my friend that is far away ATM.

Silk

As far as I know you can have the password sent to the email address thats connected to the account.

grumbler

My understanding is that you can have a recovery password sent, not the original:

If your password does not work, use the “Need help?” link on the sign-in page and then the "I don't know my password" option which will direct you to a page with up to three recovery options:

1. Get a verification code sent to your mobile device.
2. Request a password reset e-mail to be sent to your recovery account.
3. Proceed to the Account Recovery Form. Look for a "Verify your identity" link if the other options don't work.

http://gmailaccountrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/#howto

It isn't clear what 'verification code' is though.

Silk

Have a look at this page ..may help ?
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1969

This one too maybe
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1968

grumbler

Thank you, but it seems to be the same. Even though they say "recover a password", the actual procedure seems to be for resetting the password. It ends by "Reset your password using the verification method below:..."

They also say "Contact Google for any additional assistance recovering your password. See Google Help", but I don't see how it is possible to "contact Google".

SeduLOUs

Google Play account is just a standard Google account, so you might have better luck trying to reset the password on the web instead.

Try here: https://www.google.com/accounts/recovery/?ard=AHwGkRkhDg8oDPvSbWt7jxpb5_cXSnR-1v0p8SzTlw2URHCthO2uivsGpf5XrX3cucbIGPpDJQf4xBZ-DK5o6gsdNif8MmG9QnjE1mOQRWYnUjNZy9plJK2m0YAaY9YYps0p9uCSUPeRQOma98b4Km1UujzaCOxr-A

Sorry, just read OP properly. I can't see any way that they would be able to email you your current password, as it doesn't sound like it would be very secure.

I would guess (but could well be wrong) that if you reset your password on the web and then enter the new one on your phone it should accept it, because it will check Google servers for the 'correct' password. I'm not sure how it would know that it's not the 'original' password or why that would even matter?

Rusty!

Android Device Manager can reset the password on the phone.

adouglasmhor

Rusty! wrote: »

Android Device Manager can reset the password on the phone.

Even if the phone is locked?

grumbler

SeduLOUs wrote: »

I would guess (but could well be wrong) that if you reset your password on the web and then enter the new one on your phone it should accept it, because it will check Google servers for the 'correct' password. I'm not sure how it would know that it's not the 'original' password or why that would even matter?

I am no expert. What other people say is:

Typically when a mobile device is locked, it wants the original e-mail account name and password it was setup with. You should not need internet connectivity to unlock the phone.

Silk

grumbler wrote: »

They also say "Contact Google for any additional assistance recovering your password. See Google Help", but I don't see how it is possible to "contact Google".

You could ring them 0207 031 3000 and ask I suppose .....whether they would be of any use over the phone though I don't know ?

They might give you an email addy for the correct department to ask though ???

Rusty!

adouglasmhor wrote: »

Even if the phone is locked?

Yes, it replaces the lockscreen with a password one (or so it says, I've never needed to test it).