Before you start
- The Google account email and password last used on the phone, or its previous screen lock
- Wi-Fi or mobile data on the phone during setup
- Proof of purchase, if you can’t sign in
What FRP is and why your phone asks for an account
Factory Reset Protection (FRP) switches on automatically when a Google account is added to an Android phone. If the phone is then reset without going through Settings (for example from recovery mode, or remotely), setup shows: “This device was reset. To continue, sign in with a Google Account that was previously synced on this device.”
It exists so a stolen phone is useless to a thief. Since Android 15, the old tricks to skip this screen have been closed, and online “FRP bypass tools” mostly don’t work or carry malware. The reliable route is to prove you are the owner.
Method 1 Unlock FRP with your Google account or old screen lock
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Step 1: Connect to the internet
Follow setup until you’re connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. FRP can only check your account online.
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Step 2: Use the old screen lock if offered
If the screen says Use your screen lock or Verify PIN, enter the PIN, pattern or password the phone used before the reset. This is the fastest way.
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Step 3: Or sign in with the Google account
Enter the email address and password of the Google account that was on the phone. If you had several accounts, any one of them works.
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Step 4: Complete verification
If two-step verification is on, approve the prompt on another device or enter the code. Setup then continues normally.
Method 2 Forgot which account or the password?
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Step 1: Find the account
Check old emails or your other devices (the Gmail app shows the account). Go to accounts.google.com/signin/usernamerecovery on another device to find an email address using a phone number or recovery email.
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Step 2: Reset the password
On a computer or another phone, go to g.co/recover and follow the steps to reset the password. Answer as accurately as you can.
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Step 3: Wait before signing in on the phone
After a password reset, Google blocks sign-in on a freshly reset phone for a safety period, usually 24 hours and sometimes up to 72. Leave the phone and try again afterwards with the new password.
Method 3 Get help as the owner (proof of purchase)
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Step 1: Gather your proof
Find the receipt or invoice showing the phone’s IMEI or serial number. The IMEI is on the box, on the SIM tray of some models, or shown by tapping Emergency call and dialling *#06#.
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Step 2: Contact the manufacturer or carrier
Visit an authorised service centre (for example Samsung, Xiaomi or your carrier’s store) with the phone, ID and proof of purchase. They can verify ownership and unlock it.
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Step 3: Samsung: check Samsung account lock too
Samsung phones may also have a Reactivation lock tied to your Samsung account. Sign in at smartthingsfind.samsung.com and use Unlock, or reset that password at account.samsung.com.
Before you sell or give away a phone
Avoid locking out the next owner:
- Open Settings > Passwords & accounts (Samsung: Accounts and backup > Manage accounts) and remove your Google account.
- Remove your Samsung account too, if you have one.
- Reset from Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (Samsung: General management > Reset > Factory data reset).
Resetting through Settings after removing accounts doesn’t trigger FRP.
Troubleshooting
It says “Couldn’t sign in” with the right password
You probably changed the password recently. Wait 24–72 hours, then try again. Also check you’re using the account that was on this phone, not another one.
The phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi during setup
Try a mobile hotspot from another phone, or insert a SIM card with data. Some routers with captive login pages don’t work during setup.
I bought it second-hand and the seller added their account
Ask the seller to unlock it in person: they sign in on the phone, then remove their account in Settings and reset it from Settings. Signing the phone out remotely from their Google account doesn’t always lift FRP. If they can’t help, return the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Do FRP bypass tools or APK tricks still work?
On Android 15 and later, the common tricks are blocked, and many “free FRP tools” install malware or are scams. Using them on a phone you don’t own may also be illegal. Account recovery or the manufacturer are the safe options.
Can a factory reset remove FRP?
No. A reset from recovery mode is exactly what triggers FRP. Only a reset from within Settings, after removing accounts, avoids it.
How long does FRP last?
It doesn’t expire. The phone stays locked until someone verifies with the right Google account or screen lock, or an authorised service centre unlocks it.
Will a service centre charge to remove FRP?
Policies vary. Under warranty with proof of purchase it’s often free; out of warranty there may be a service fee.
Summary
To get past FRP, sign in with the Google account that was on the phone or enter its old screen lock. If you’ve forgotten it, recover the account at g.co/recover and wait 24 hours, or take the phone and receipt to the manufacturer. Before selling a phone, always remove your accounts first.
