Forgot your phone PIN? Google could look to the past to save you from a factory reset
You could soon use your Google account credentials to recover your locked device, just like you could back in the day.
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5, the upcoming version of Google's mobile operating system, may soon include an innovative feature that could help users recover locked phones without resorting to a factory reset. This feature, named "Unlock with Google Account," would allow users to unlock their devices using their linked Google account credentials if they forget their PIN or password.
Previously, Google allowed pattern unlock resets using Google account credentials up until Android 4.4, but later removed this feature, leaving users with no choice but to perform a factory reset when locked out. The feature is currently optional in the beta version, striking a balance between convenience for everyday users and security for more cautious ones.
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5 was released last week, and Android Authority has been examining the release to uncover potential new features from Google. This Authority Insights story presents exclusive information not found elsewhere.
Written by urgent.news from Android Authority's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
