How to unlock your Chromebook with a PIN code

By Tom Westrick
published

A long, complicated password — coupled with two-factor authentication — is an essential part of modern life. While a long password is the most secure option, it can be inconvenient if you just want to quickly open your Chromebook. This isn't to say you shouldn't keep your devices locked, but there is a better method available.

Chromebooks have had the ability to be unlocked via PIN for a while now, but it's not a feature many people know about. Fortunately, we're here to tell you about this feature and show you how to turn it on.

How to set your Chromebook to unlock with a PIN

  1. Unlock your Chromebook with your standard password.
  2. In the lower right corner, click on your account picture.
  3. Click on the gear icon to open the settings app

  1. Under the "People" section, click Screen lock. Enter your login password.
  2. Under "Screen lock options," click PIN or password.
  3. Click SET UP PIN.
  4. If you ever want to change the PIN, simply click CHANGE PIN.

And that's it! You can now use your PIN to unlock your Chromebook! For security reasons, your Chromebook will ask you to log in with your full Google password whenever the computer has been fully rebooted, or when switching accounts.

Tom Westrick
Tom Westrick
6 Comments
  • I unlock my Windows laptop with a pin, and it never occurred to me to do the same with my Chromebook. My duh! moment of the day, thanks for the tip.
  • I unlock my Windows laptop with a pin, and it never occurred to me to do the same with my Chromebook. My duh! moment of the day, thanks for the tip.
  • It's a real time saver!
  • Sure is. !!
  • Good tip.
  • I did a setting back when this was a beta feature, my PIN is only 4 digits. 6 sounds better. Is there a way to undo the beta feature I selected and do it this way without botching things up? Heck, I don't even remember where that beta option was. (Acer R11 Convertible if that helps any) Also, it has me put in the password if I haven't logged in for 24 hours.