If you’re stuck on a locked Motorola phone, don’t panic. Whether you’ve forgotten your PIN, are switching mobile networks, or just bought a used device, there are safe and simple ways to unlock a Motorola phone. Depending on your situation, the method may vary—from using your Google account to contacting your carrier or performing a full factory reset.
This guide will walk you through the different ways to unlock a Motorola phone, including screen lock removal, network unlock, and carrier unlocking.
Unlocking Motorola Phone Screen (Forgot Password, PIN, or Pattern)
Using Google’s “Find My Device” (For Android 5.1 and Up)
If your Motorola phone is connected to a Google account and has internet access:
- Go to Find My Device on another device.
- Sign in with the Google account linked to your locked phone.
- Select your device from the top menu.
- Click “Erase Device” to perform a remote factory reset.
- Once reset is complete, set up your device from scratch.
⚠️ This method deletes all your data unless you’ve backed up to Google.
Factory Reset via Recovery Mode
If you can’t access the phone at all:
- Power off the phone.
- Press and hold Power + Volume Down until the bootloader menu appears.
- Use Volume buttons to highlight Recovery Mode and press Power to select.
- When you see the Android logo, press and hold Power, then tap Volume Up once.
- Use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then press Power.
- Confirm the reset and reboot when finished.
After rebooting, the phone will be unlocked—but Factory Reset Protection (FRP) may require the original Google account credentials.
Network Unlock (Use with Any Carrier)
If your Motorola phone is locked to a specific carrier (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile), and you want to use it with another SIM card, follow these steps:
Check Network Lock Status
Insert a SIM card from another carrier. If it says “SIM network unlock PIN” or “Network locked”, it’s carrier-locked.
Contact Your Carrier
Most major carriers offer unlock codes for free if:
- Your phone is fully paid off
- You’ve completed your contract or payment plan
- The device hasn’t been reported lost or stolen
You can request the unlock via:
- AT&T: att.com/deviceunlock
- T-Mobile: Use the T-Mobile Device Unlock app or contact customer care
- Verizon: Verizon phones are generally unlocked after 60 days of activation
- Other carriers: Contact support for their specific policy
Enter the Unlock Code
Once you get the code:
- Insert the new SIM card from another carrier.
- Restart the phone.
- When prompted, enter the unlock code provided by your carrier.
- The phone will now accept SIM cards from other networks.
Unlocking a Motorola Bootloader (Advanced Users)
If you’re looking to unlock the bootloader to root or install a custom ROM:
- Enable Developer Options by tapping Build Number 7 times in Settings > About Phone.
- In Developer Options, enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
- Connect the phone to your PC and open Command Prompt or Terminal.
- Use adb reboot bootloader to enter fastboot mode.
- Use fastboot oem get_unlock_data to get your unlock key.
- Visit Motorola’s bootloader unlock site and paste the unlock data.
- Follow instructions to unlock.
⚠️ Unlocking the bootloader voids warranty and deletes all data. This is for advanced users only.
Pros and Cons of Unlocking Your Motorola Phone
Pros:
- Regain access to your device
- Use your phone on any GSM carrier
- Sell your phone at a higher resale value
- Install custom ROMs (bootloader unlock)
Cons:
- May erase all data (in screen unlock or bootloader cases)
- Carrier unlocking requires eligibility
- Unlocking bootloader may void warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unlocking a Motorola phone legal?
Yes. In most countries, it’s legal to unlock your own phone or request an unlock from your carrier.
Will unlocking my Motorola phone delete my data?
Screen unlocking (via factory reset) or bootloader unlock will delete data. Carrier unlocking does not.
Can I unlock my phone if I forgot the Google account?
Not easily. You must provide the original Google account after a factory reset unless FRP is disabled beforehand.
How do I know if my Motorola is unlocked?
Try inserting a SIM from a different carrier. If it works and shows a signal, it’s already unlocked.
Unlocking your Motorola phone can feel overwhelming, but with the right method—whether it’s a screen unlock, carrier unlock, or network freedom—you’ll have your device back in action in no time. Just be sure to back up your data when possible and follow each step carefully.