Locked out of your Android phone and heard you can “use Emergency Call to bypass the lock screen”? Years ago, some older Android versions had bugs that sometimes let people slip past the lock screen through the emergency dialer or quick settings. Those loopholes were security flaws—and they’ve been patched on modern Android.
In this guide, you’ll learn what those myths were really about, why they’re almost never effective now, and the legitimate, safe options you can use to regain access to your own phone. We’ll keep things in plain language, walk through proven recovery paths, and cover data-protection tips so you’re not stuck again.
Important: It’s illegal and unethical to access a device you don’t own or don’t have permission to unlock. This article focuses on lawful, owner-initiated recovery only.
Key Takeaways
- The Emergency Call bypass is a mostly obsolete myth on current Android.
- Modern security blocks hidden-menu tricks and quick-settings pivots from the lock screen.
- Legitimate recovery hinges on your Google or Samsung account, cloud backups, and official support.
- If you must factory reset, plan your restore from cloud backups; expect local data loss.
- Set up backups and Find My Device now so a future lockout becomes a minor speed bump, not a crisis.
Can You Really Unlock a Phone Using Emergency Call?
Short answer: Not reliably—and usually not at all on modern Android.
Older Android builds (mostly pre-Android 10) had a handful of rare bugs that sometimes exposed system menus from the Emergency Call screen. People shared “secret codes” online that, in some cases on specific models, could open hidden test menus or device info panels. From there, a determined tinkerer might reach settings and change the lock method.
Today, that’s almost entirely closed off:
- Security patches closed those holes years ago.
- OEM overlays (Samsung, Google, Motorola, etc.) hardened the lock screen and quick settings paths.
- Modern devices treat the emergency dialer as a tightly sand-boxed tool—no stepping into settings from there.
If your phone is even moderately up to date, any Emergency Call “hack” you find in a random forum will most likely fail—and repeated attempts can waste time or, worse, trigger extra device protections.
Understanding the Emergency Call Feature
First things first—what is the emergency call feature?
Every Android device, regardless of brand, includes an Emergency Call button on the lock screen. This feature is designed to allow anyone to dial emergency services—like 911 or your local equivalent—without unlocking the phone. It’s a critical safety measure that ensures help is always within reach, even if the device’s owner can’t unlock it.
But here’s where things get interesting: on older versions of Android, some clever (or perhaps too clever) users discovered that this feature could be exploited to bypass the lock screen altogether. This was due to a software vulnerability in Android 5.0 and earlier versions. Let’s unpack that.
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Step-by-Step Guide: Bypassing the Lock Screen via Emergency Call (Android 5.0 and Below)
Important Warning: This method only works on older devices running Android 5.0 or earlier. It’s a legacy trick that’s been patched in all modern Android versions.
Step 1: Tap the Emergency Call Button On the lock screen, look for the Emergency Call button and tap it. This brings up the dialer interface, which is intended for emergency services.
Step 2: Enter a String of Asterisks In the dialer, enter a string of about 10 asterisks (*).
Step 3: Copy and Paste Asterisks Highlight the asterisks you entered, then tap Copy. Now, repeatedly paste the string over and over again—each time adding more asterisks to the input field. Keep going until you have a very long string.
Step 4: Return to the Lock Screen Now, press the Back button to return to the main lock screen.
Step 5: Open the Camera App (if available) From the lock screen, try opening the Camera app by swiping left or using the quick access icon (if your device supports it).
Step 6: Access the Notification Bar Swipe down the notification bar from the top of the screen and tap the Settings icon.
Step 7: Paste the Asterisks and Crash the System When prompted for the password, paste the long string of asterisks repeatedly. The system can’t handle the input overload and will eventually crash—granting you access to the device’s home screen.
Limitations and Risks
While this trick sounds like a cool hack, it comes with serious limitations and risks.
Only Works on Old Devices
As mentioned, this bypass only works on devices running Android 5.0 or below. Any device updated to Android 6.0 or newer has already patched this vulnerability.
Risk of System Instability
Flooding the dialer input can cause your device to behave erratically or even crash permanently, leading to data loss or, in some cases, a full device reset.
Potential Lockout
If you attempt this trick on a device with newer software, it won’t work—and you might lock yourself out of the device entirely if the system detects suspicious activity.
For these reasons, it’s highly recommended that you only try this on a device you fully own and understand the risks. Always back up your data if possible before attempting any bypass methods.
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Alternative Methods for Unlocking Android Devices
Since the Emergency Call trick is obsolete on modern devices, let’s explore safer, more reliable ways to unlock your Android device if you’ve forgotten your password.
Method 1: Unlocking Your Android Device Using Google’s Find My Device (Factory Reset)
If you’re using a newer Android version that no longer supports the Emergency Call trick, you can still unlock your device using Google’s Find My Device service—though it involves a full factory reset. This method is secure, reliable, and recommended by Google itself, especially if you’ve previously enabled Find My Device on your phone.
Here’s how you can use this method:
Step 1. Open Google Find My Device On another device (like a computer, tablet, or even a friend’s phone), go to the official Google Find My Device website.
Step 2. Log In with Your Google Account Use the same Google username and password that’s linked to your locked Android device.
Step 3. Select Your Locked Device Once signed in, you’ll see a list of devices associated with your Google account. Choose the device you want to unlock.
Step 4. Choose ‘Factory Reset This Device’ On the left-hand side of the screen, click on the option that says Factory Reset This Device.
Step 5. Confirm and Reset A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation. Click Reset, then confirm by clicking Erase. This will start the factory reset process.
After the reset completes, your device will restart—now unlocked and ready for setup.
A Friendly Reminder
Important: Using this method will erase all your data, including photos, apps, and settings. Make sure to back up important files if possible. But if you’ve enabled cloud backup or saved photos to your Google Photos account, you’ll be able to restore much of your data after the reset.
Method 2: Performing a Factory Reset
Performing a Factory Reset to Unlock Your Android Device
If you can’t unlock your Android phone using Find My Device or the Emergency Call trick doesn’t work (which, let’s be honest, it won’t on most modern phones), a Factory Reset is a reliable way to regain access—though it comes at the cost of all your data being wiped.
Here’s how to do it step by step:
Step 1. Power Off the Device Make sure your phone is completely turned off.
Step 2. Enter Recovery Mode Press and hold the Volume Up/Down and Power buttons at the same time until the device logo appears. Release the buttons when the Recovery Mode menu appears.
Step 3. Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset Use the Volume buttons to navigate the menu and highlight Wipe Data/Factory Reset. Press the Power button to select it.
Step 4. Confirm Factory Data Reset Navigate to Factory Data Reset and confirm your choice by pressing the Power button. This step erases everything on your device, including apps, photos, and settings.
Step 5. Reboot Your Device Once the reset is complete, select Reboot System Now and press the Power button. Your phone will restart, and you’ll be greeted with the initial setup screen.
A Quick Tip
Important: A factory reset wipes all data on your phone. If you haven’t backed up your photos, contacts, and other important files, you’ll lose them. But don’t panic—some Android data recovery tools can help you recover deleted data after a reset. Consider using one of these tools (like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard or DroidKit) if you want to try recovering your lost data., all data is lost, but you’ll regain access.
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Method 3: Unlocking Your Android Phone Using Find My Device
In addition to third-party unlocking software, Google’s Find My Device feature offers a reliable, secure way to bypass the lock screen—no Emergency Call trick required. This feature was originally designed to help users locate, lock, and erase a lost or stolen Android device, but it can also come in handy if you’ve forgotten your password.
Here’s how you can use Find My Device to unlock your Android phone:
Step 1. Visit the Find My Device Website Open a web browser on your computer or another device and go to the official Find My Device page.
Step 2. Sign In with Your Google Account Log in using the Google account that’s linked to your locked Android phone.
Step 3. Select Your Locked Device From the list of devices associated with your account, click on the one you need to unlock.
Step 4. Choose ‘Secure Device’ A pop-up window will appear. Click Secure Device (also known as ‘Lock’ on some devices) to proceed.
Step 5. Set a New Password You’ll be prompted to enter a new password or PIN for your locked device. Create a strong but memorable password here.
Step 6. Unlock Your Device After setting the new password, return to your locked Android phone and enter the new password you just created. Within a few minutes, your device should unlock, granting you access again.
Tip
Important: This method only works if Find My Device and Location Services are enabled on your phone before you locked yourself out. If they’re not, your device won’t appear in the list on the website, and you won’t be able to use this method to unlock it. Always ensure these features are active on your device as a precaution..
Method 4: How to Use DroidKit to Unlock Your Android Phone
If you’re ready to ditch the unreliable Emergency Call method and try something that actually works, here’s a quick guide on how to use DroidKit to unlock your Android phone without a password:
Step 1: Launch DroidKit and Choose Screen Unlocker Download and install DroidKit on your computer. Open the program, and select the Screen Unlocker section from the home screen.
Step 2: Connect Your Locked Phone Use a USB cable to connect your locked Android phone to your computer. Then, click Start to begin the unlocking process. DroidKit will automatically create a configuration file tailored to your specific device. Once it’s done, tap Remove Now to proceed.
Step 3: Confirm Your Device Brand Select the brand of your device from the list provided. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully to put your device into the correct mode for unlocking. This step ensures that DroidKit can safely remove the lock screen without damaging your data.
Step 4: Begin the Unlocking Process Once everything is set, DroidKit will start removing the screen lock right away. This part only takes a few minutes. When the process is complete, you’ll see a confirmation screen letting you know that your device has been successfully unlocked.
And that’s it! You’re back in control of your device—no password, no fuss, and no unnecessary risks.
Method 5: How to Unlock an Android Phone Without a Password
Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiUnlock for Android on your computer. Select Remove Screen Lock to bypass your phone’s password, PIN, or pattern lock.
Step 2. Choose your Android phone brand from the interface. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully, as the unlocking steps vary by brand.
Step 3. Complete the guide to successfully unlock your Android phone without needing the password, PIN, or pattern lock.
Method 6: Unlock Android Phone Without a Password via Android Unlocker
Step 1. Open Android Unlocker on your computer and select Remove Screen Password.
Step 2. Pick your Android phone brand from the list.
Step 3. Connect your phone with a USB cable. If it’s not detected, check Try Other Unlock Methods and follow the instructions.
Step 4. Click Remove Now to begin unlocking. Note that this will factory reset your device and erase all data.
Keep the phone plugged in during the process. Once it finishes, your device will unlock and restart. Complete the setup and restore your data if you have a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can you remove the Emergency Call option from the lock screen?
No, Android does not allow users to remove or disable the Emergency Call button. It’s a critical safety feature mandated by design and cannot be turned off.
Q2. What is the master code, and does it work?
There’s no universal “master code” to unlock Android phones. While some devices have carrier unlock codes, these codes are specific to network restrictions, not screen locks.
Q3. What should I do if I accidentally trigger an emergency call?
Stay calm—when the call connects, explain to the operator that it was a mistake and follow their instructions. It’s important not to hang up abruptly.
Q4. Can the Emergency Call trick work on modern Android phones?
No, the vulnerability that allowed this trick was patched starting with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Newer devices are not affected.
Q5. Is using the Emergency Call trick illegal?
Bypassing your own device’s security isn’t necessarily illegal, but it can void your warranty and compromise your data. Trying it on a device you don’t own is illegal and unethical.
Q6. Will this trick work on Samsung, LG, or other specific brands?
Again, it only works on Android 5.0 or earlier, regardless of the manufacturer. Samsung, LG, and others have all patched this vulnerability in newer updates.
Conclusion
Bypassing an Android lock screen using the Emergency Call feature was once a clever trick that worked on older devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and below. Today, however, this method is obsolete—modern Android versions have patched the vulnerability, making it ineffective.
If you’re locked out of your device, use official and secure methods like Google’s Find My Device, factory resets, or manufacturer-specific tools. These solutions are safer, more reliable, and ensure your data stays as secure as possible.
Lastly, keep your device updated! Security patches exist for a reason: to close loopholes like the Emergency Call trick and keep your device secure from unauthorized access. Stay vigilant and smart with your device’s security—and you’ll avoid most of these problems altogether.
