Nexus Phone & Tablet - Resetting

datostar

My son recently died. He had a Nexus 4 phone and a new Nexus 9 Tablet bought only 3 weeks ago. Both devices are screen locked and require a passcode. I have no idea what the code is. Our friend Google reveals that you need access to the associated Google account to change the passcode(s). I don't know the password for the Google account either so both devices are unusable. It seems that on the Nexus 9 even going through the convoluted procedure of a factory reset will still need the original passcode on startup.
This can't be a unique situation in bereavements and I wonder if anyone is aware of any way round the problem. I'm not interested in seeing the content on the devices and would just want them to be wiped and able to be used again.

indesisiv

The nexus 4 you can reset without the google password. Not sure on the nexus 9.

This is from google for the nexus 4:

Performing a factory reset may take some time, so make sure that you plug your device into a power source before you start. If your phone becomes unresponsive at any point during these steps, you can restart it by holding down the Power button for several seconds.

If your phone is on, turn it off.

Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time until the device turns on. You'll see the word "Start" with an arrow around it.

Press the Volume Down button twice to highlight "Recovery."

Press the Power button to restart into Recovery mode. You'll see an image of an Android robot with a red exclamation mark and the words "No command".

While holding down the Power button, press and release the Volume Up button once.

Press the Volume Down button twice to highlight "wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it.

Press the Volume Down button seven times to highlight "Yes - erase all user data" and press the Power button to select it.

After the reset is complete, press the Power button to select the option to reboot your device.

indesisiv

You could also try contacting google through this ...
https://support.google.com/accounts/contact/deceased

datostar

Thanks - Nexus 4 wiped and currently rebooting thanks to your instructions. Still working on the Nexus 9..