Getting locked out of your home is never fun. It is a frustrating experience that just about everyone reading this is more than familiar with. While some people can find a way to sneak into their home through the bedroom window, not everyone can do it.

The good news is that there are several ways to get inside your home if you lost the key. The catch is that with some of these techniques, you’ll need more skill to lower the amount of damage. That said, let’s dive into the 5 Best Ways to Unlock a Door if you get locked out.

Method no. 1: Using a Paperclip

Over the years, movies have popularized the possibility of unlocking a door with a paper clip. However, they don’t work on all doors, and even James Bond has a set of lock picks. If you have one of those push-button knobs, then this trick can help.

If you look closely at the non-locking side of the door, you will see a small hole in the middle. There is a small reset button on it. All you need to do is insert the paper clip inside this hole and push the button. You can also use a large pin that’s thin enough to go through.

Using a Paperclip

Using a Paperclip

Method no. 2 – Use a Screwdriver

Depending on the type of lock you have, it is also possible to use a large screwdriver to take the doorknob apart if it can’t be unlocked. Similar to the paperclip method, it isn’t going to work on exterior locking doors.

If you happen to see screws on the doorknob, get a screwdriver and unscrew the faceplate and then the knob can be taken off. After that, you have access to the interior of the knob. At this point, the locking mechanism can be pulled back, and the door opened.

Use a Screwdriver

Use a Screwdriver

Method no. 3 – Using a Coat Hanger

We need to warn you that this method might do a bit of harm to your door’s frame, but it will work on exterior doors that are supposed to be locked. Many of these doors use a spring-loaded latch bolt, which will catch the striking plate and keep the door closed. These are at an angle and come with a plunger that allows or prevents the latch from moving.

You unbend the coat hanger to form a straight line and then bend one end into a hook. This then goes in between the door and the jamb carefully. You then hook the edge of the latch bolt to pull it back. Make sure to apply consistent pressure and open the door.

Using a Coat Hanger

Using a Coat Hanger

Method no. 4 – Using a Credit Card

A credit card has helped many people in the movies open locked doors, and they can help you too. While it looks easy to swipe the card through the door jamb quickly, in reality, it takes practice.

Use a flexible plastic card, hold on to the doorknob then slide the card in between the jamb and the door. It will take a bit of wiggling to work the card into the latch. Using steady pressure, and with time you will get it.

Using a Credit Card

Using a Credit Card

Method no. 5- Using Bobby Pins

A bobby pin can be used to raise a series of 4-5 pins, which, when dropped, prevent the knob from turning. All pins have a break in them but at varying levels, and when the pins are lined up properly, the knob can turn.

Now for this to work, you will need to turn the bobby pin into a rake and the other pin into a tension rod. Unbed the pins at a 90-degree angle. The flat edge of one and the ridged edge of the other will be used. So, you use the rake to rake the pins in the lock while you apply gentle tension on the tensioner.

Using Bobby Pins

Using Bobby Pins

Conclusion

If all of this fails, the next best thing is to Call a Professional Locksmith. Locksmiths like us come fully prepared to unlock all types of doors and locks.