What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
If recovery mode asks for a password, first identify the device and the kind of credential it wants. Android, iPhone or iPad, and Windows use different recovery tools—and a screen-lock passcode, Google or Apple Account password, Windows sign-in, and BitLocker recovery key are not interchangeable. A factory reset may erase local data, and it does not necessarily remove account or activation protection.
What does “recovery mode password” mean on your device?
Start with the device type and the exact screen or message. Recovery mode is not one universal system: a prompt may be asking for a device credential, an account password, or an encryption recovery key. Before choosing an erase or reset option, check whether the device can still start normally and whether you have a current backup.
- Android phone or tablet: A reset can erase local data. Afterward, Android may require a Google Account previously used on the device as part of setup or Factory Reset Protection.
- iPhone or iPad: A forgotten-passcode reset erases the device. Activation and setup can still require the Apple Account associated with it.
- Windows PC: Windows Recovery Environment offers more than one repair option. If the drive is encrypted, a BitLocker recovery key may be required even when the issue began with a Windows sign-in.
Do not treat recovery mode as a way to bypass a forgotten credential. Use the account or recovery-key recovery process for the platform, or contact the device maker when you cannot verify ownership credentials.
Recommended Free Tools
What to do before a factory reset
A reset is a last resort when less disruptive troubleshooting is appropriate. Google warns that an Android factory reset erases data and recommends trying other fixes first when the goal is to solve a device problem. Microsoft likewise recommends backing up important Windows files before recovery. Apple’s documented forgotten-passcode reset erases the iPhone or iPad.
#1 Best Overall
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
- Check for a backup. Confirm that photos, documents, messages, and other important information are backed up somewhere you can access. A reset can remove data stored only on the device.
- Verify the associated account. For Android, make sure you know the Google Account used on the phone and can sign in to it. For Apple’s on-device passcode reset, you need the Apple Account password. For Windows recovery, locate the BitLocker recovery key if encryption is enabled.
- Try a less disruptive fix if the device is malfunctioning. If an Android phone is frozen or blank, Google recommends troubleshooting before a hardware-button reset. Windows Recovery Environment includes options beyond Reset this PC; choose one suited to the problem before removing files.
- Check the requirements for your platform. An iPhone computer restore needs a Mac or Windows PC, an internet connection, and a cable. Android button sequences vary by manufacturer. Windows recovery choices and availability vary by release.
- Prepare for setup after erasing. Have account credentials available and, where relevant, a reliable network connection. Google advises charging an Android device to at least 70% before its factory-reset procedure; its guidance says the reset can take up to an hour.
For the full Android process and its Android-version notes, see Google’s instructions for resetting an Android device to factory settings. For a phone that freezes or will not respond, consult Google’s troubleshooting steps before resetting.
Android: handle a recovery prompt without assuming a button sequence
Before using the recovery menu
Confirm the Google Account previously used on the phone and verify that its password works by signing in elsewhere. Back up what you can, charge the device, and plan to connect to a network during setup. A factory reset removes apps and their local data, even if some information associated with your Google Account can later be restored. Google notes that some reset steps apply only to Android 14 and newer, so screens and behavior can differ by version.
Rank #2
- [Package Offer]: 2 Pack USB 2.0 Flash Drive 32GB Available in 2 different colors - Black and Blue. The different colors can help you to store different content.
- [Plug and Play]: No need to install any software, Just plug in and use it. The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- [Compatibilty and Interface]: Supports Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS. Compatible with USB 2.0 and below. High speed USB 2.0, LED Indicator - Transfer status at a glance.
- [Suitable for All Uses and Data]: Suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies, software, and other files.
- [Warranty Policy]: 12-month warranty, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy, it will be guaranteed for free.
If the phone is frozen or will not start
Do not rely on a generic combination of hardware buttons: the reset procedure is manufacturer-specific. Google directs users to the phone manufacturer for those instructions. If the phone is merely unresponsive, try the applicable troubleshooting steps first rather than treating a reset as the default fix.
If setup asks for an account after the reset
Use an account that was previously associated with the device. A wipe is not a reliable way to remove Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which can require account verification after a reset. Management settings and reset method can affect FRP behavior; Google’s enterprise guidance says recovery-menu resets may trigger FRP in common cases. For a device already locked by FRP when enterprise FRP was not configured, Google directs administrators to the manufacturer. See Google’s enterprise FRP guidance. Avoid services that claim they can bypass account protection.
Rank #3
- Lightweight and convenient: Lexar JumpDrive A30E (USB Type-A) boasts a slim, portable design for easy device compatibility; lightweight at 7.41 g
- Transfer speeds up to 100 MB/s: 10x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives; Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions
- Wide compatibility: Compatible with tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required; Reliably stores photos, videos & files
- Compact: Features a push-button retractor and a lanyard loop for on-the-go use
- Enhanced security: Lexar DataShield protects files, easily creates a password-protected safe with auto-encryption; Files deleted from the safe are securely erased and can't be recovered
iPhone or iPad: choose the reset route you can meet the requirements for
Reset with a computer
Apple’s computer procedure is for a forgotten passcode and erases the device. It requires a Mac or Windows PC, an internet connection, and a cable compatible with the iPhone and computer. Enter recovery mode using the button sequence for the particular iPhone generation, then select Restore in Finder or Apple Devices.
- Connect the iPhone to the computer and put it into recovery mode using the sequence for its hardware generation.
- Open Finder on a Mac or Apple Devices on a Windows PC, select the iPhone, and choose Restore.
- If the iPhone exits recovery mode while its software downloads, let the download finish, then put the iPhone into recovery mode again and continue.
Apple provides the current device-specific steps in its guide to resetting an iPhone and passcode with a computer. If you cannot borrow a computer, Apple recommends visiting an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider.
Rank #4
- Large Data Storage Capacity: Flash Drive with 128GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer
- Easy to use: The thumb drive is plug and play without any software installation; Supports Windows 7/8/10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports; Storage is fast, safe and stable
- Wide Compatibility: USB flash drive support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device; It is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working
- Retractable Desgin: The usb drive's retractable design can effectively protect the USB interface; The capless design can avoid losing of cap; Weight: 7g, Size: 2.6 × 0.8 × 0.4 inch. Portable to take your digital world anywhere
- What You Get: 1 x 128GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, All of usb drives have been rigorously tested and formatted before leaving the factory; The default format of the USB stick is exFAT
Reset from the Security Lockout screen
On supported iOS or iPadOS versions, an on-device reset may be available from the Security Lockout screen. This route requires Find My to have been enabled before the lockout and an active Wi-Fi or cellular connection. You must enter the Apple Account password, and the erase permanently deletes device data and settings; you can restore a backup afterward if one is available. The button label can differ by operating-system version. See Apple’s instructions for resetting without a computer.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWindows PC: distinguish recovery tools from Reset this PC
Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) contains several recovery tools; Reset this PC is only one of them. Back up important files where possible and keep the BitLocker recovery key available, because Microsoft says it may be needed to use recovery options. The choice depends on whether you want to preserve personal files, whether Windows can start, and what kind of repair the PC needs.
Best Value
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
| Windows option | Data effect or method | When it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Reset this PC: Keep my files | Reinstalls Windows while keeping personal files; apps and settings are removed. | When Windows needs a reset but you want to retain personal files. |
| Reset this PC: Remove everything | Removes personal files, apps, and settings. | When you intend to erase the PC rather than keep personal files. |
| Cloud download | Downloads a fresh copy of Windows. | When you want a fresh copy and the PC can download it. |
| Local reinstall | Uses Windows files already on the PC. | When you prefer not to download Windows, provided local files are usable. |
These are choices within Reset this PC, not substitutes for every Windows repair tool. Microsoft’s overview of Windows recovery options can help identify a less disruptive path; its Reset this PC instructions explain reset choices. Those support pages cover Windows 10 and 11. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Quick Recap
How to choose the next step
- You have a backup and the required credentials: Follow the official reset steps for your exact device and operating-system version.
- You do not know the associated account password: Recover the Google or Apple Account through its official account-recovery process before erasing. A reset may leave you at an account-verification screen.
- You do not have a BitLocker key: Look for the recovery key before attempting a Windows recovery action that requests it. Do not assume a Windows sign-in password will unlock an encrypted drive.
- The device is managed by an employer or school: Contact the organization’s administrator before resetting; device-management and FRP settings can affect what happens afterward.
- You cannot identify the correct button sequence or recovery screen: Use the manufacturer’s model-specific instructions rather than trying combinations intended for another device.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
