How to unlock an Android device and Windows PC when the owner dies
If you’ve recently lost a friend or family member, you can request access to their phone, computer or tablet to retrieve their personal information.
Whether you’re looking for photos, passwords, or other information, it’s frustrating when you don’t know their passcode to simply access.
We’ve put together the steps you need to follow to unlock an Android device and Windows PC if the owner dies.
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Android Phone (CyberGuy.com)
How to unlock an Android or PC if the owner dies
Similar to Apple’s iCloud, Android and PC users often link their devices to a Google account. If you know the email address and password associated with the user’s Google account, you may be able to reset their password using it.
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Using a Google Account to access data
If the device owner had a linked Google account, this may be an option during sign-in. login information, reset the password via the instructions sent to the email address associated with the Google account
Using a Samsung account to access data
If the owner of the device had a Samsung phone, he may have created a Samsung account that gives access to reset the device’s passcode. unlock your phone in seconds
In this photo illustration, an Android logo appears on a smartphone screen in Athens, Greece, April 16, 2022. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Using a Microsoft account to access data
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If the device owner was a Microsoft user and had an email address ending in Outlook.com, Live.com, Hotmail.com, or MSN.com and you don’t have their Microsoft login information, you can search for it through a call. or court order. You will most likely be asked to provide:
A copy of a death certificate. A copy of the applicant’s identity card or passport or a signed power of attorney
A woman restarts her Android phone. (Fox News)
Removing an SD memory card
Some devices may have a built-in memory card If the device has a memory card, remove the SD card and connect it to another device, such as a computer, using an SD card reader. You should be able to access the photos and other data stored on that memory card
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How to make sure loved ones can access your data
In the event of an emergency or death, you want to be sure that your loved ones can still access your data. Make sure a trusted loved one has your login details and/or passwords written down in a safe and secure place. That way they can access your photos and other phone apps without having to go through a court order or complicated restore process.
If your phone provider offers a legacy contact option, set it up now.
If you use social media, platforms like Facebook offer an option to name someone as your legacy contact.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning technology journalist who has a deep love for technology, gadgets and gadgets that make life better with his contributions to Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends”. Have a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
