Last time we talked about what to do if you could not remember your Android phone’s passcode or pattern. An email this week stated, "OK, I don’t really use Gmail for much and never log into it." They then went on to explain that they could not provide adequate information to Google to get their password for a Gmail reset.
Keep in mind that if you cannot get into email it affects all of your Google account information, from your phone, contacts, Google blogs, etc. So this is the ultimate "fix" in several ways.
Here are the desperation moves when you cannot in any way gain access to your Android phone. Hold tight!
First you need to set up a new Google account on your computer. You can also do this as one of the last steps in resetting your phone but it is easier to complete first online. Go to Gmail.com and click the upper right link that says, "Create a new account." Finish it all up and move on to your phone; however, do not forget to add your cell phone number in the security section, see last week for more detail.
Turn off your Android phone (it does not matter that it is still locked). Do not just put it to sleep but cut it off by holding the power button down for 30 seconds or so. Depending on the age, version of the OS, and manufacturer it will either ask if you want to turn the power off or it may just shutdown.
Next, and PLEASE listen to this part! The following steps will wipe out your phone, i.e., all of your email, your apps, your high scores on games, your vacation pictures, etc. So this is a desperation move ONLY. You could also use it if you are going to give your phone to someone else and want to get all of your info off of it. This will not reset the SD Card in the phone. I would recommend you remove that and reformat it too; however, you may have pictures on it that you can get later. This depends on your phone and how it was set up.
These following steps will vary by manufacturer so I suggest you contact your phone provider, tell them what has happened and ask how to perform a "Hard Factory Reset" via your phone’s buttons.
Here is the standard way to "boot" your phone this way. Hold down the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. After a few minutes or so your phone’s logo screen will display. (Again your manufacturer will have details for your phone so this is generic). When it does, release the power button but continue holding the Volume button until the Android System Recovery menu appears.
Once at the Android System Recovery menu, select the “wipe data/factory reset” option using the volume keys to move up and down them. Once it is selected press the power button to start the "wipe." You will get a confirmation screen. Choose "Yes" and proceed to strip your phone of all but the essentials which allow it to work.
After a few seconds it will finish and you will be presented with the Android System Recovery menu. Again this time choose, "Reboot System Now."
You phone will now reboot back into normal mode and be set up the same way it was when you purchased it and took it out of the box. Set it up with your new Gmail account which was created earlier and you are on your way again.
