How can I get into a password proteced cell phone?

[Stanley Rockafella]

Recently a friend died. He was very anti-social and had few, scattered friends. He hung himself and his body wasn't found in his apt until about a week after (happened on July 27th). His brother and sister finally have a death certificate

Last night his younger brother and I were discussing how to get a hold of his friends to let them know he died and to hold a service for him. His FB profile is very cryptic and show's little info about his friends or contacts. Sad thing, is that everything (his pc too) are password protected.

Is there any way we can get onto these devices without reformatting (and effectively losing everything)?

[flyboyx]

aw man....that really sucks.

i see ads on craigslist all the time where people are offering services to unlock iPads and iPhones. you didn't mention the type of phone. i am sure its a factor but maybe start looking there.

[Exodus_2pt0]

All I've ever known is a full reboot.

I am so sorry to hear this, I've lost most of my friends from Highschool. I hope you figure it out.

[kickinindian]

go on the dark web and find someone to hack it for a fee?
or if it was an android phone just his gmail account?

[IRON-E]

I believe that if you go to the service carrier, with a next of kin and a death certificate, they can help you unlock it. You can also try the police station, they have access to that kind of stuff.

[ST1G]

Is it an iPhone? Apple can not unlock phones with PIN codes enabled.

[Stanley Rockafella]

thanks for the help guys. The phone is a motoX an android made by Motorola from what I've heard

[Vivek]

aw man....that really sucks.

i see ads on craigslist all the time where people are offering services to unlock iPads and iPhones. you didn't mention the type of phone. i am sure its a factor but maybe start looking there.

I'm pretty sure thats a different kind of unlocking.

Very sorry to hear OP. As stated before i would contact the service provider or phone manufacturer.

[TimeMachinE30]

A police department will not help you with this. That recommendation is off-base.

Getting behind passcodes/PINs on phones is possible on most phones.. maybe even all of them. The problem is you likely will not have access to such technology nor would it be offered to you.

Phone companies will likely not be able to help either, out of protocol or simply out of inability to get into a phone. Local stores sell service plans, accessories and maybe some service. Contacting corporate could answer questions you have.. but I would expect them to take a similar and even more firm stand in declining assistance. While it is a noble effort, folks lie and companies don't dabble in these waters of allowing access to information that has been protected by the user.

If it is a VZ phone, typically the contact list is backed up on the cloud. Perhaps a death certificate and a power of attorney could gain access to that. The contact list is the most I could see you gaining.

If you Google, there are some ways to try and get around some phone pins... think more an administrator log-in. I have tried it before and the phones I needed access to were just not successful with the on-line directions.

Being an Android, the best bet is to try the GMail account. That won't get you into the phone, though.

And if he really was a hermit, would you think his desires were to have a large funeral? Note left behind?

Good luck in your endeavors. The information is very likely accessible but under the conditions you present, it would not convince the "key holder" to grant access.

[george graves]

Hey Stanley, sorry for your loss. I've gone through this recently(about a year ago), and you have to do a bit of leg work, but Google has a procedure that allows access (and you don't need too much proof) they see this sort of thing all the time. Call them, they have teams of people that deal with it. But if the persons email was something like comcast - then it's trivial. Apple, I don't know about.

And if he really was a hermit, would you think his desires were to have a large funeral?

Funerals aren't for the deceased-have some respect.

[TimeMachinE30]

Funerals aren't for the deceased-have some respect.

Are they? The dead did not have last requests and dying wishes?

Don't lecture me. I have plenty of respect. Let's make sure the deceased are respected.

[flyboyx]

They are not for the deceased. They are for the survivors (family, friends, and acquaintances) in order to have closure.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

damn sorry to hear about that. If its an android then yea contact google and they should be able to help in someway. I also try what other have said and pay phone company a visit with his next of kin so they know you arent trying to do anything shady.