I Forgot My Safe Combination. What Do I Do?

This has happened to the best of us. Staring at your safe, you could stand there. Poof. Gone. In your gut, you know that sinking feeling is real. A thousand important items or irreplaceable family heirlooms, and the valuable items that keep you in your comfortable life, locked behind a heavy safe door. All of a sudden, that higher level of security, which you spent time and resources securing, is starting to feel like a prison, not protection. The reason? You can’t remember the safe combination. It happens to the best of safe owners, don’t worry.

In this guide, we will go through the steps you should take, from simple solutions to last resort when things are at the edge. First, make sure you’re familiar with the safe combination you set up. Please don’t use a sledgehammer (yet)!

Understanding Your Safe

It is essential to know the types of safes and how they are locked before taking any action. Understanding the safe combination system will help you determine the right steps to access the contents securely and make the best decision.

• Basic lever safe: A spinning dial with a number sequence (combination) is required to open this type of safe. The internal locking is usually a bunch of wheels and a lever, which is retracted when a certain safe combination is entered.
• Electronic/digital safes: These safes operate with electronic/digital keypads to enter codes. They provide convenience and include features such as audit trails. While they lend great security in some ways, they are also subject to electronic failure or dead batteries.
• Key override: Many safes have a key override feature and an override key.
• Safe types: Home safes, business safes.

Step 1: Obvious (But Often Forgotten) Checks

If these simple solutions don’t work, you’ll just be feeling defeated unless you budget time until the locksmith arrives or look up the serial number on the safe. Sometimes, the answer can be simpler than expected, and it often comes down to making sure you have the right safe combination, which may be right under our noses without us realizing it.

Try Common Combinations

• Think like you did: When you initially set the safe combination, what was your mindset? Were you trying to be clever, or were you aiming for something easy to recall? Did you use a birthday, anniversary, graduation year, or other easily memorable sequence for the safe combination?
• Variations on a theme: Don’t just try the exact date or number you suspect. Try slight variations. For example, if you think it might be related to your anniversary (say, July 12, 1995), try:
  

  • 07-12-95
  • 12-07-95
  • 95-07-12
  • 07-12-19
  • 19-95-07
  • 7-12-95 (single digits)
  • Try reversing the numbers.
  • Try to add or subtract one from each digit.

• Common patterns: People often use simple patterns on keypad safes, like:
  

  • 1-2-3-4
  • 2-5-8-0 (straight down the middle column)
  • 4-4-4-4 (repeated digits)
  • The last four digits of their phone number.

• Default combinations. In some cases, the safe could have its original factory combo.
• Listen to the sounds the dial makes when turning it.

Check Your Records: The Paper (and Digital) Trail

• Dedicated safe file: This should be a specific file (physical or online) specifically for papers regarding your belongings. This is a good place to store your safe combination, as long as the actual combination is not obvious or adjacent to the safe. Think of it like a safety deposit box, a hidden compartment in your home, or a well-protected digital file, where the combination remains secure and discreet.

• Password managers: Check password managers like LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, etc. Unfortunately, many people use them to store sensitive information, including their safe combinations. Secure your password manager itself with an extremely strong master password.
• Hidden in plain sight: Did you perhaps hide the combination in another document, or did you leave the combination hidden in plain sight by some fluke? It could be disguised within a phone number list, a recipe, or even in a seemingly random string of numbers in a spreadsheet.
• Old address books/notebooks: Check old notebooks, diaries, or address books. You might have scratched that small information, like your safe combination, on a napkin while you were in the bar twenty years ago and forgotten all about it.
• Email search: Go through your email inbox (sent items and archived folders) for keywords like “safe,” “combination,” “code,” or the brand name of your safe (e.g., “Sentry” or “Acme”). Perhaps you sent an email of it to yourself or to a trusted relative.
• Look at the owner’s manual:
  

  • Check if the manual has the default combination.
  • Verify if your type of safe has an override code or an override key.

Important note: Be methodical and patient. Don’t rush through these steps. Relax a little, think carefully, and take your time before resorting to extreme measures or giving up on the possibility list that you have been working through.

Step 2: Locating Your Safe’s Identification

If the obvious checks fail, you’ll need to gather information about your safe combination. This is critical for getting help from the safe manufacturers or a professional locksmith, like Alcatraz Locksmiths. Without this information, it’s much harder for anyone to assist you.

Safe’s Serial Number & Model Number: The Key to Your Safe’s Identity

• Where to look: Most safe companies, whether they manufacture high-end home safes or affordable models, put a sticker or engraved plate with the safe’s serial number and model number in several, if not all, of the more or less common safe locations. The most common spots are:
  

  • Before opening: Check the outside of the safe door, looking closely around the corners and near the hinges or locks.
  • With the safe door open: Open the safe door and examine the opening, or jamb, where the door closes (or vice versa). This inner surface could have the sticker.
  • Side or back: Examine the exterior side and back of the safe. If you don’t have a good view of all sides, you might have to move the safe slightly (if possible) to get a better view. Use care not to scratch the safe and not to hurt yourself.

• Appearance of the sticker/plate

• It may be very small and unnoticeable.
• It could be metal or a sturdy label.
• You are looking for any sequence of numbers, or numbers and letters, preceded by something like “SN:” (serial number) or “MN:” (model number), etc.
• Why these numbers matter: To make it clear, the serial number and the model number are important because they identify the type of safe, as well as the type of safe lock and locking mechanism your particular safe has. That way, safe manufacturers or locksmiths know how it can be opened (safely) using whatever alternative method, whether an override code, a new key, or, as a last resort, a drilling process. However, for the most precise identifier of the brand (e.g., Sentry Safes, an Acme safe, or some other brand), the serial or model number is also helpful.

Next Steps

• Take a picture.
• Write the number down.
• If you can’t find it: If you have checked all the standard areas and cannot locate the sticker or plate, then check your owner’s manual (if you have one). The model number should be listed in the manual, and sometimes the serial number is included (though this is less common). If the manual isn’t available, and the sticker is missing as well, don’t worry; the model number may still aid a professional locksmith, but it’ll be more difficult.

Step 3: Exploring Your Options (Before Calling a Locksmith)

Depending on your safe type, you might have a few options:

Override Key/Override Code: Check Your Manual

If you’re unable to access your safe using the regular combination, it’s a good idea to check for an override key or factory override code. Many electronic safes come equipped with a backup method for entry, often referred to as an override option. To use this, consult your safe’s manual to see if it has a hidden keyhole or a factory override code. This will allow you to bypass the standard “safe combination” without the need to guess or reset the code. However, be aware that using this backup method could potentially result in a temporary lockout penalty.

Contact the Manufacturer (Proof of Ownership Required)

If you have your serial number and model number, then you should contact the safe manufacturer; they will know the appropriate course of action. They might help, but only with proof of ownership (receipt, notarized statement, ID). Some manufacturers only deal with certified locksmiths. They might provide a new safe combination, a replacement key, or guidance.

Warranty: Possible Free Help

Also, most safes come with a warranty. The manufacturer may reimburse for lockouts and malfunctions if it is still valid. Before making efforts yourself, and don’t try other solutions, as the warranty could be void. Contact them or the retailer. Have your purchase information ready.

Step 4: Calling in the Professionals – Alcatraz Locksmiths

If you’ve gotten this far and there’s still no luck, you should call a locksmith. Specifically, call Alcatraz Locksmiths! We are specialists in safe opening and have all the tools and know-how to crack all types of safes and safe locks.

Why a Professional?

Try as you might, it is quite possible to injure yourself by trying to force open a safe yourself, and you can end up permanently locked out of it, and even destroying what might have been inside. A local locksmith, like Alcatraz Locksmiths, understands the intricate workings of combination lock mechanisms and electronic keypads.

What to Expect

If you ever call Alcatraz Locksmiths, we’ll ask for information about your safe – make, model, etc. – if possible. Then, a technician will be dispatched to your location who will be qualified to help you.

The Process

Our locksmith will initially try to open your safe without damaging it. This might involve manipulating the dial or using specialized tools to determine the existing combination.

The Last Resort

In cases where the locking mechanism is jammed or broken, the last resort would be drilling. The locksmith will try to find the smallest possible hole to drill in order to open the safe door.

Step 5: Getting a New Combination and Preventing Future Lockouts

Once your safe is open, Alcatraz Locksmiths can help you:

• Set a new combination: We can reset your combination lock to a new combination that you’ll easily remember (but is still secure!).
• Service and repair: We can inspect your safe’s locking mechanism to ensure it’s in good working order, preventing future problems.
• Create a replacement key, if the key override system allows it.
• Advice on safe security: We can offer advice on choosing the right safe for your needs and best practices for securing your valuable items and important documents against theft.

Here’s Your Call to Action

Locked out of your safe? Don’t panic! Contact Alcatraz Locksmiths today. We’re your trusted local experts for all your safe opening and security needs. We offer fast, reliable, and professional service, and we’re committed to helping you regain access to your valuables with minimal hassle. Call us now for a free consultation!