Moto Z2 Force – Forgot PIN Password – What to Do

According to research done back in 2016, the average person has 6.5 different passwords for various platforms. Fast forward to today and that number has likely grown. To get through the day, there is a lot of data that you have to remember, and numerical passcodes can be especially hard to keep track of.

Forgetting your PIN feels embarrassing, but it can happen to anybody. Sometimes your mind simply can’t retrieve an important piece of information.

There’s also a chance you meant to write it down but kept putting the task off. Even if you keep a list of all your passwords, you’re not entirely safe. Lists can get misplaced just as easily as memory.

Is there anything you can do if you’ve lost your PIN? Let’s take a look at your options.

Simply Using Your Google Account Doesn’t Work

On older Android phones, you could access your PIN-locked phone by simply entering your Google Account details. But this security measure wasn’t efficient enough, and phone thefts were a serious problem. So with phones like the Moto Z2 Force, which runs Android 7.1.1 or Android 8.0, your options are more limited.

Try Using Find My Device

There’s a chance you can change your PIN remotely from a different device. Sign in with the Google Account you use on your Z2 Force. Then, use your computer or a different phone to open Google’s Find My Device service. This security lets you control your phone from a distance, and you can track it and lock it in case it gets lost.

You might be able to enter a new PIN password from here. Make sure to remember the new PIN this time.

Factory Reset

If the above method didn’t work, your only option is to perform a factory reset. This will restore your Moto Z2 Force to the way it was when you bought it. The reset deletes all your personal data, including photos and contacts. The good news is that if you’re a Moto user, your photos are probably stored in Google Photos, which means they won’t disappear.

Since you can’t get your phone to function without the PIN, you need to use the power buttons to effect a factory reset, following these steps:

1. Turn off Your Phone

2. Turn It on Using the Volume Down + Power Buttons

Press and hold both buttons. When a screen appears, keep holding the Volume Down button. This will take you to a Recovery Screen.

3. Find RECOVERY MODE

The Volume buttons are for scrolling, and you can use the Power button to make a selection.

4. Press and Hold the Power Button, Simultaneously Press Volume Up

5. Select “Userdata + personalized content”

6. Select “Reboot System Now”

It will take a few minutes for the reboot to complete.

A Final Word

We recommend keeping copies of your PIN in a few different places. But the best precaution is to back your phone up regularly. If you ever need to do a factory reset, you can rest easy knowing your data is safe.