Last Updated on September, 2024
Ever had that sinking feeling when you realise you’ve forgotten the combination to your safe? It’s like a mini heart attack, right?
Don’t panic. As safe owners, we’ve all been there. However, there are ways to crack the safe open without breaking a sweat.
Let’s explore them in detail in this article. So buckle up and learn how to crack open your safe like a pro.
Quick Summary
- There are various types of safes and different locks on them, including mechanical, electronic, and key override locks.
- There are several methods for opening a locked safe if you forgot the combination, including using an override key, resetting the combination, using a rare earth magnet, and contacting a professional locksmith.
- If you have a cheap safe, it may be more cost-effective to try DIY methods or replace the safe instead of calling a locksmith. It is also important to follow certain precautions, such as contacting the safe manufacturer or using caution when using a power drill to open the safe.
Steps to Open Your Safe if You Forgot the Combination
Here is a step-by-step guide to open your safe if you have forgotten your passcode.
Determine the Type of Safe
There are various types of safes based on their lock type. If you forgot your safe combination, first identify the type of safe lock. Below are the main safe types:
Mechanical Combination Safe
A mechanical combination safe has a mechanical combination lock, which is also known as a dial combination lock. Here, you choose some numbers from the dial panel to keep your documents secure. They’re available in 2 configurations: 3-wheel and 4-wheel.
3-wheel locks have numbers between 0-100 in the dial pane so that you can have a million combinations. In a 4-wheel configuration, you can make around 100 million different combinations.
Electronic Safe
An electronic safe has an electronic keypad, where the owner has to punch in digits to open the safe. Some electronic safes have biometric fingerprints instead of an electronic lock.
Most people prefer electronic safes over combination safes because it’s easier to punch four or five digits rather than turn a dial pane around.
Safe With A Mechanical Key Override Lock
Some safe manufacturers place a key lock mechanism along with the mechanical or electronic keypads. So, if you forget the combination, you can access the safe with the emergency key given to you.
Use the Override Key or Get a Replacement Key
If you have bought a safe with a mechanical key override lock, you might have received a key. You can open the safe easily with this key, even if you have forgotten the correct combination.
If you misplaced the key, call a reliable locksmith. Locksmiths have a set of replacement keys from popular safe brands. Suppose the locksmith doesn’t have a key that fits with your safe; in this case, call the manufacturer to get a replacement key.
Manufacturers are concerned about security, hence, you must prove that you’re the owner of the safe to get an override key. This could take some time, and you’ll have to pay a small fee. Using an override key is the most cost-effective way to unlock a locked safe.
If your safe is old and you have forgotten whether it has a key or not, do an online search and find out whether your safe comes with an override key.
You can find it easily if you have the manufacturer’s name, serial number, and model number. However, you can do it just with the brand name, too.
Contact the Safe’s Manufacturer for the Override Code
If you have not changed your safe’s original combination after purchasing, then you’re in luck.
Why? Many manufacturers keep a record of the safe combination they sell. Additionally, some of them include a safe combination override. You can type this override code on the dial panel to access the safe.
How can you get the override code? Call customer service and see what options are available. Due to security purposes, you’ll have to prove your identity before they reveal any information to you.
Some companies register safes after purchase. If your safe is registered, it’s easy to get the safe combination override. If not, you’ll have to verify that you’re the owner of the safe through an online service or by showing physical proof.
You can open your safe without any damage with a safe combination override. Therefore, ensure you call customer service before moving on to any other method.
Try to Reset the Forgotten Combination
To reset the forgotten safe combination, you must find the keypad inside the safe. There are some openings on the back panel of the safe. Figure out which opening can give you access to the interior keypad.
Use a flashlight for this if necessary. Be careful, as there are electrical components and wires on the back panel. Once you find an opening to gain entry into the interior keypad, use a straightened coat wire hanger or a stiff wire and press the reset button.
Don’t jam the wire into the small hole, as it can damage the keypad. Once you press the reset button, you’ll hear a beeping sound or the dial pane will light up. It depends on your safe brand. Dial a new combination from the exterior keypad and press set.
Now, you can open the safe door with the new combination. To reset the safe combination, you need access to all sides of the safe. Hence, this method won’t work for wall or in-floor safes.
Additionally, if the safe is overstuffed with important documents, you won’t be able to reach the reset button.
Tip: Save the new combination in your phone so you don’t forget it again.
Use a Rare Earth Magnet
Using a rare earth magnet is a DIY method you can use to unlock your digital safe door if you forget the electronic combination. This method is most successful for sentry safes.
Here’s how you do it:
- Put the rare earth magnet inside a sock. This helps you to pull off the magnet easily from the safe.
- Place the magnet over the safe surface below the keypad and move it towards the handle till you hear a click sound.
- Then, turn the door handle. If it doesn’t open at once, jiggle the handle a bit.
- Finally, pull off the magnet.
Placement and the power of the magnet are important to successfully open the sentry safe door using this method. It’s better to use a rare earth honey puck magnet than an old-style magnet. If you’re unsure how to do this, call a trusted locksmith to do it for you.
Use a Knife or a Screwdriver
If your safe has a key lock, you can use a knife or screwdriver to crack it open. Place the safe on a flat surface. Insert the sharp end of the knife into the keyhole. Wiggle it repeatedly until the locking mechanism disengages.
You can also use the screwdriver. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the keyhole. Rotate it counterclockwise many times until you feel or hear the locking mechanism breaking. Remember, you won’t be able to lock your safe again after damaging its locking mechanism.
Drill the Safe Open
If you’ve tried all the above methods and nothing seems to work, then you can drill the safe door open. Take a power drill. Attach a drill that’s strong enough to penetrate metals.
Place your drill on the key slot and drill it until you reach the drive cam or lever. Move them away with a punch rod or a similar tool. If not, you can drill through the keyhole till you disable the electronic lock.
Drilling your safe lock is difficult, and it might damage both your drill and the safe. So, use this method as a last resort to gain access to the safe.
Contact a Professional Locksmith
It’s recommended to call a safe locksmith service before trying any methods that may damage the safe. A professional locksmith may ask for the following information to choose the best method to open the safe:
- The type of lock mechanism.
- Serial number and the model of the safe.
Note: You can find model numbers and serial numbers on the bottom corner of the door.
- Does the safe have a keyhole?
- Did you get an emergency key when purchasing the safe?
- Safe’s built material.
You don’t need to know the answers to all the above questions. Based on the information you provide, the locksmith will choose the best possible method to open the safe with the least damage.
Many locksmiths will use drilling as the last option, but they can repair your safe after drilling. When drilling, the safe lock is destroyed, and a hole is left in the door.
A locksmith will replace the lock and plug the hole with a steel rod, and your safe will function like new again. However, this process is costly.
Tip: If you have a warranty for your safe, contact the safe manufacturer before letting a locksmith work on it.
Ensure you call a licensed and trustworthy locksmith to open your safe.
What’s the Best Method to Open Cheap Safes?
It’s best to let a locksmith open your safe if you forgot the combination. However, when it comes to cheap safes, a professional locksmith service can cost you more than a new one.
In this case, it’s better to break into the safe, get your valuable items, and then replace the safe. Below are some DIY methods to break open a cheap safe:
- If you haven’t changed the combination after purchase, go to the safe manufacturer’s website. Download the owner’s manual and get the default factory code from it. You can simply use this to unlock the safe.
- If there’s a key lock, try to pick it up with a pin or a paper clip.
- Hold the safe a little above the floor and drop it over and over.
- Thump on the top of the safe while jiggling the handle.
- Peel off the keypad stickers, and you’ll notice a giant hole. Insert a coat hanger into it and manipulate the lock to open.
- Use a rare earth magnet.
If you think you can’t do any of the above, to save money, take your safe to a locksmith shop rather than calling a locksmith at home.
Simple Tips to Figure Out Your Keypad Lock Combination
You need the right passcode to gain access to a safe. Here are a few tips to figure out the right combo, even if you have forgotten it. Note that this won’t work every time, but it’s certainly worth a try.
- Go through the safe owner’s manual and determine how many numbers and letters should be there in your combination.
Some safes allow you to enter a combination of letters and numbers, and some allow you to enter only numbers.
- Based on the above information, try out birthdays, your favourite numbers, special days, or PIN codes.
Input the combinations one at a time and wait for the beep sound. If the safe is still locked, then the combination is incorrect. Attempt other possible combinations after some time. Most safes will go into lockdown mode when you repeatedly enter incorrect passcodes.
- If you haven’t changed your old combination, the numbers you use frequently will look faded. Examine the keypad carefully and find the faded numbers.
For example, if you notice wear in 5, 8, and 3, try out all possible combinations you can make with them.
- If you have a combination dial and are pretty sure about most of the numbers, try out some old-fashioned safe cracking. Here, you must turn the dial slowly till you hear a proper click.
Getting the Combination for an Open-Safe
If you’ve forgotten your safe’s right combination, but if the safe is open, this is the best-case scenario. Call a locksmith. A locksmith can decode the wheels and figure out the combination of a dial safe.
If your safe is electronic, then the locksmith can lock it back to factory defaults and then set a new password.
Useful guides:
Quick Summary
If you’ve forgotten the password for your mechanical or electronic combination safe, first check whether you have an emergency key or an override code.
If they are not available, call a locksmith. A locksmith can open your safe without causing much damage. Contact your safe manufacturer before calling a locksmith if you have a warranty. If you have a cheap safe, it’s better to break into it using DIY methods and then replace it.
