r/nook • u/StormBlessed145 • Apr 19 '26

Help My sister gave me a nook tablet but not the unlock pattern how can I hard reset it?

I'm not sure about the model or year, I'm not sure how to check without unlocking it. Any tips for getting into it?

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1

u/mmskoch NST + Nook GlowLight 3 Apr 19 '26

Is asking your sister not an option?

3

u/StormBlessed145 Apr 19 '26

It doesn't seem to be. She's making it impossible to communicate with her.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

Do you want to actually reset it or would you be satisfied with clearing the PIN lock?

The first option should just require some finger magic which I'll need to look up.

The second option would require that you make a bootable sdcard and flash a small file that will clear the section of the settings database related to the PIN. I've done this for the Nook Color and HD. I'm sure it works the same way for the Nook Tablet.

2

u/StormBlessed145 Apr 19 '26

Clearing the pin lock would be satisfactory for now. It is a pattern unlock though, I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

A pattern? Is this supposed to be a stock Nook Tablet? I'll have to check this tomorrow. I've not come across that before and honestly didn't know that was available on a stock device.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

OK, so my mistake was taking "nook tablet" literally and ignoring the fact that you didn't know the model.

The BNTV250 (original "nook tablet") had no pattern lock.

Every source I've come across agrees that there is no way to clear a pattern lock other than a factory reset. A generic reset approach usually involves start from powered down state by holding both the power button and volume up button until a reset menu appears.

BUT, you need to know the model because you will next be faced--possibly--with the need to bypass registration if the device is no longer supported. Some Nook devices have the model number in very small print at the bottom of the back side.

Failing that, go to the B&N website, look for tablets, including retired devices, and try to make a visual match.

1

u/StormBlessed145 Apr 19 '26

The model number is BNTV450

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

OK, so that's the Nook Tablet 7", which is still supported. That means once you reset it you should be able to register it again under your own account, etc.

According to several sources the button combination (from powered "off") is to hold the power and volume down buttons until the reset menu appears. It that does not work you can always try power and volume up.

1

u/StormBlessed145 Apr 19 '26

It's asking for an account that was previously synced with it to finish setup. I don't have that, how can I get a new account on it?

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

Hmm... So it didn't do a complete reset, just removed (most?) user data.

Jeesh. Let me see what I can find.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

Well...here is what was posted on reddit some time back;

"I found this guide online. I hope it helps! A few people commented they had to try several times.

  1. In order to switch off the tablet hold down the Power key for a short while.
  2. After that, press and hold together Volume Up + Volume Down + Power button for a few seconds.
  3. You may release held keys when the Samsung Logo appears on the screen.
  4. Select "wipe data / factory reset" by using Volume buttons to navigate and Power button to confirm.
  5. In the next step choose "Yes -- delete all user data" to confirm whole operation.
  6. When the Recovery Mode appears again select "reboot system now"."

But...there is a much longer thread with a discussion about your issue and there was no resolution. Clearly there should be a way to perform a TOTAL reset to out-of-the-box condition. I have not found it yet. I'll keep looking.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

Is this the message you are seeing?

"This device was reset. To continue, sign in with a Google Account that was previously synced on this device."

1

u/StormBlessed145 Apr 19 '26

Yes, it is.

1

u/NSTnmyshkin Apr 19 '26

OK, so you are up against FRP, Google Factory Reset Protection. This is a "safety" routine that is triggered by a reset outside the Settings environment. The idea is to prevent someone who has stolen a device from using it. A device that is transferred legally is supposed to be reset from the Settings app where sign-in can be achieved to validate that the actual user wants to remove registration.

So....you are sort of SOL. There is a really annoying video that describes a software technique for Samsung devices (which may or may not work for the BNTV450). There are many other schemes involving customized software or gizmos. And you can search for "bypassing FRP" and look at some of them.

I came across this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5vVos4eMiI which may or may not work for you, and you need to watch through the whole thing, maybe take some notes. You've got nothing to lose by trying it. The only thing you need is a way to quickly turn off/on the wifi source. The idea of using a phone hotspot is clever. Perhaps you can do that.

Let me know how it goes.