To unlock a Motorola phone you own after forgetting the PIN, password, or pattern, the only documented method that does not erase your data is using Google's Find Hub service. This article covers legitimate owner recovery for forgotten screen locks and carrier locks only; it does not cover unauthorized access or bypassing phone lock screens.
Carrier network locks: what Motorola can and cannot do
Motorola states that only the original carrier can unlock a phone from that carrier lock. If your phone is locked to a specific network, contacting Motorola will not remove that lock. However, Motorola support can check which carrier locked the phone if you provide the IMEI. To find your IMEI, dial *#06# on the handset. Motorola says to contact support with the IMEI; you can get the IMEI by dialing *#06#. If you do not know which network locked the phone, Motorola says to contact support with the IMEI. Once you know the carrier, contact them directly to request an unlock.
Regain access to your locked Motorola phone with Google Find Hub
Google's Find Hub (also called Find My Device) is the documented remote option for locating, locking, or erasing an Android phone you own. There is no Motorola-specific iPhone method for breaking into a Motorola phone documented. Use these steps from another Android device or a browser:
- On another Android phone or tablet, open the Find Hub app, or on a browser go to android.com/find.
- Sign in to the Google account that is on the locked phone.
- If prompted, choose "Continue as [your name]" for your own lost device.
- Select the device from the list.
- If prompted, enter the lock screen PIN for the Android device you want to locate.
- Use the available actions to locate, lock, or erase the phone.
If you want to bypass password on Motorola phone without losing data, the "Lock" action in Find Hub lets you set a new temporary password that overrides the forgotten one, provided the phone meets the requirements below.
Requirements for Google's remote recovery features
For Find Hub to work, the locked phone must meet all of these conditions:
- Signed into a Google account.
- Visible on Google Play.
- The phone must be visible on Google Play.
- Location turned on.
- Find My Device (Find Hub) turned on.
- Connected to mobile data or Wi‑Fi for standard remote actions.
If the device cannot be found, Google may show its last known location if available. If the device cannot be found, Google says you may see its last known location if available. The newer Find My Device network works with devices running Android 9 and later, which includes offline location support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Motorola unlock my carrier-locked phone?
No. Motorola says only the original carrier can unlock it from that carrier.
Can Motorola tell which carrier locked the phone?
Yes. Contact Motorola support with the IMEI (dial *#06# to find it), and they can check whether the phone is registered to a particular network.
Can Google erase a lost Motorola phone?
Yes. Google's Find Hub can locate, lock, or erase a device after you sign in to the Google account on the phone.
What Android versions support the newer Find My Device network?
Google says Android 9 and later.
What if I never set up a Google account on the phone?
Find Hub cannot be used because the phone is not signed into a Google account. In that case, the only option to regain access is a factory reset, which erases all data on the device.
