Unlock HTC | How to Factory Reset A Locked HTC Phone

If you've forgotten what your HTC lock screen password, pattern, or PIN is, or if you've gotten a used locked phone, you only have 5 tries to unlock the phone. If this fails, you will not be given more attempts. Most solutions will tell you to do a factory reset. But don't hurry, read this article first. This article not only teaches how to factory reset a locked HTC phone, but also provides other possible ways to unlock. In any case, you can access your phone again in a few minutes.

Part 1: How to Factory Reset A Locked HTC - Four Different Methods

This guide firstly introduces how to factory reset a locked HTC phone in four different solutionss: 1. by using PC software; 2. by using Google's Android Device Maneger; 3. by pressing the hardware buttons; 4. by signing in your Google account on the phone. At the beginning of each method, we have concluded how difficult, how recommended, and when it is applicable to use.

1  How to Factory Reset HTC Phone When Locked Using PC Software

Difficulty level: easy

Applicable condition: for all Android phones including HTC, compatible for all situations

Recommendation:

Using PC software is the best way to factory reset a locked HTC. It is fast and safe, and doesn't require that the fastboot and USB debugging are off. You may need to get an unlocking tool such as iMyFone LockWiper (Android). This tool will be able to help you faactory reset and unlock your HTC or any other Android device. It can do a factory reset on a locked HTC easily without any hassle. It does not matter how your device has been locked. You don't need to have an IT degree to use this amazing HTC factory reset tool as anyone can operate with it.

You just need to follow the steps to factory reset your locked HTC phone so that you can get access to your device.

Step 1. Free download, install and launch LockWiper (Android) on your computer. Connect your HTC with a USB Cable. Select "Remove Screen Lock (For all Android devices)" option.

Step 2. Select your device. For an HTC phone, select "Other" from the list, then click "Start to Unlock".

Step 3. A data package will be automatically downloaded and unpacked.

Step 4. Follow the displayed instructions to reset your HTC phone. Then the unlocking process starts automatically.

Once it is done you will solve the issue of how to factory reset a locked HTC phone. The screen lock will be removed, and you can access your phone.

iMyFone LockWiper (Android) is highly recommended as it is safe to use to reset your locked HTC phone. Unlike other methods, you can reset when "Find My Device" is either on or off, and when fastboot and usb debugging are either on or off. And it is compatible  with phones which have no internet connection.

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2  How to Reset A Locked HTC Phone's Passcode - Android Device Manager

Difficulty level: normal

Applicable condition: "Find My Device" on HTC has been enabled, phone is on and has network connection, you have G-mail account info

Recommendation:

Did you know that Android actually has a way for you to skip over your lock screen if you happen to have the right Google Account information? Well, it does. Android has a built-in way to bypass the lock screen if you have the original G-mail account name and password it was setup with. Google's Android Device Manager enables you to reset a locked HTC phone without data loss even without a previous backup. If you are qualified for all above applicable condition, now it will be time for you to access the Android Device Manager website. You are going to follow the following process.

Step 1. On the locked screen, flip down from the top to display the Quick Settings page to Enable Wi-Fi or data current option.

Step 2. Go to the Android Device Manager page and then accept the agreement.

Step 3. Select the device that you want to access, then click on "Lock".

Step 4. Once "Lock" is clicked on, you will be allowed to reset a new passcode for the phone screen. Now reset a new code.

Step 5. Once it is done, you are able to access the locked HTC with the new passcode.

That is all that you have to do in order to reset the lock screen passcode of the HTC phone when locked. And it keeps your data. However, if your don't remember the G-mail the phone was set up with, or your phone cannot connect to the internet, you cannot proceed this method. If you can't remember your Google password, recover it by trying to sign in Google account recovery page. If this fails, resetting the device to factory settings may be the only option.

3  How to Factory Reset A Locked HTC Phone with Hardware Buttons

Difficulty level: normal

Applicable condition: fastboot and USB debugging are off, FRP has been turned off, more than 35% of battery percentage

Recommendation:

This method is also straightforward on how to factory reset a locked HTC phone. If you are qualified for the above condition, you can factory reset an HTC phone when locked manually with hard buttons. But please note that if the FRP is still on, your phone will get locked by the Google lock, and then you still need the Google account and password. And if fastboot and USB debugging are on, you can't do a hard reset. If this fails, go to Method 1. Here is how you can do a factory reset with hardware buttons:

Step 1. Turn the locked HTC phone off.

Step 2. Press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power button simultaneously until the menu in plain text appears.

Step 3. Press the Volume Down button to "wipe data/factory reset", and press the Power button to confirm.

Step 4. Confirm "Yes -- delete all user" and finally "Reboot system now". Now your phone starts to reboot and you can set it up later.

4  How to Reset A Locked HTC Phone with Google Account - Android 4.4 and below

Difficulty level: normal

Applicable condition: you have G-mail account info, Android version is 4.4 or below, phone is on and has network connection, non-Verizon Carrier Provider

Recommendation:

If your HTC runs Android 4.4 or below, you can log in using your Google Account unless you are with Verizon. If you are a Verizon customer, this method will not work - you have 10 attempts, and then the phone data is deleted. Also, just like Method 2, your phone should connect to the internet. If this fails, I recommend you to go to Method 1, which do not have such limitations at all. Below is how you can sign in the Google account to reset a locked HTC phone.

Step 1. Test the pattern or PIN five times. Your HTC phone will be locked again and you have the option to log in using an alternative method.

Step 2. Tap "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Pattern". This button opens the Google Account login screen, where you can log in by entering the Google Account login information for the account associated with the phone.

Step 3. Set a new password. Once signed in, set a new lock screen password so that you can lock and access your device again safely.

Part 2: How to Unlock An HTC Phone When SIM Locked by Carrier Provider

Difficulty level: normal

Applicable condition: only for SIM lock, your account is in good stand by the end of the contract with the carrier provider, you meet the unlock policies

Recommendation:

If you insert an SIM card to a used HTC but the phone doesn't allow access to the cellular network, your phone is SIM locked. One of the ways to unlock the HTC phone locked by the SIM card is to contact the carrier provider. You need to know your IMEI number on your phone and have a microSIM card from an active provider. If you are eligible to unlock the phone, the carrier provider will unlock your locked HTC phone for free according to laws. There are the unlock policies by certain providers.

Sprint: The account has to be active and in good standing for at least 90 days. (Call  1888 211 4727)

T-Mobile: The phone has to be paid off. (Call 1800 746 0949)

AT&T: The account has to be active, and in good standing for at least 60 days, service commitment is fulfilled, or the phone is paid off. (Call 1800 331 0500)

Once you have these things, there are certain steps that you have to take.

Step 1. In order to find your IMEI number, you will need to dial "*#06#" and click on "Send". Write this number down.

Step 2. Next, you are going to call your Carrier Provider and ask for the SIM unlock code for your HTC device. (call Verizon on 1800 711 8300; call US Cellular on 1888 944 9400)

Step 3. Provide the Carrier Provider representative with all needed, such as your account, iMEI code, phone number.

Step 4. Within 3-5 business days an unlock code will be emailed to you.

Step 5. Once you get your unlock code for your SIM card, you will need to turn off your HTC device. Next, remove your old SIM card from your phone and then insert the new one and turn the phone back on.

Step 6. Once the phone is on, it is going to ask for the unlock code that has been provided by the service that you were using. You will enter this unlock code and then you are done. Now you can use your device with any GSM carrier.

Part 3: How to Restore from Backup after You Factory Reset A Locked HTC Phone

If you used to back up your old phone using Google Drive or HTC Backup, you are able to restore the data after you factory reset the locked HTC phone. If you have a backup in Google Drive, the backup will be restored automatically when you sign in the Google account on the phone. If you want to restore any paid apps, you have to download and install them from Google Play. Here is how to restore from the HTC backup.

Step 1. Once you have finished setting up your HTC device, slide open the notification panel and tap on the Settings icon. Tap on "Backup and reset".

Step 2. Tap the Backup On/Off switch and select the HTC Account and sign in.

Step 3. Tap on "Restore from HTC Backup". However, if your device has Android 6 or higher, then it will ask you to download the HTC Restore app. Install this and open it and then click on Restore from HTC Backup.

Step 4. If the HTC Account appears, sign in using the account that you used to back up your data with.

Step 5. Select Backup. Tap on "Next". Then follow all of the onscreen instructions.

Step 6. Slide open the Notification panel and see if there is a notification to finish setting up your phone.

Conclusion

These are going to be the best ways for you to do a factory reset on your HTC device if you happen to forget your password, PIN, or pattern. It does not take a genius to know how to factory reset a locked HTC phone, but the iMyFone LockWiper (Android) is a great tool that you can use at any time to unlock for most Android brands.

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