How to Use a Hairpin to Unlock a Door

Straighten one of the hairpins. Bend the hairpin backward to form a long metal piece. This will serve as the lock pick, used to push the pins up inside the lock.

• Remove the plastic coating from both ends, as it could obstruct you when trying to unlock. You can either use your teeth or scissors to strip the plastic coating.

Use the lock to bend the end of the hairpin into a pick. Insert the hairpin into the lock's groove about 1 centimeter. The flat side of the hairpin should face upwards. Push the remaining part of the hairpin to the left, which will cause the end of the hairpin to slightly bend. The bend should only be a few millimeters.

• Push the hairpin to the left about 5-7 cm to achieve the proper curve.

Bend one end of the pick into a handle. Hold one end of the pick and bend it back halfway, forming a loop. You only need to bend it slightly so you can easily grip and rotate the pick.

Create a lever by bending the entire hairpin into a right angle. Using pliers is easiest, but you can also use your fingers and apply some force. The lever acts as the key, used to rotate the lock’s core once you've pushed the pins up (which keeps the core locked). Just bend the hairpin (from the plastic coating end) in half to form a right angle to the rest of the pin.

Visualize the inside of the lock to understand how to pick it. A typical lock has two parts: the core and the pins. The core is where you insert the key. The pins are metal rods that enter the core, holding it in place until the key (or pick) pushes them up to release the core. The pins are split in half, and when the split lines align with the core, you can unlock it. Your task is to push each pin into its correct position and slowly rotate the core so that the pins stay in place. Once all the pins are raised, the core will rotate freely and unlock the door.

• Essentially, a key is a complex pick designed so that when you insert it into the core, all the pins align, allowing you to turn the door handle.

Insert the lever into the rear half of the lock. Place the curved end of the lever into the back half of the lock, keeping the lever as low as possible while attempting to insert it as deep as you can into the lock cylinder.

Gently rotate the lever in the direction you'd normally use to unlock the lock. Use the lever as the key and rotate the lock as if you were about to open a door. You won't be able to rotate it much, but you need to apply this pressure. Maintain pressure on the lock throughout the unlocking process, but don't twist too hard. Apply just enough force to rotate the lever slightly, without forcing it. Remember, you still need to keep the pins inside the cylinder loose enough to push them up.

• If you're unsure which direction to rotate, try both ways. The wrong direction will produce a clicking sound, and you'll feel some light friction.

Insert the pick with the curved end facing up, and search for the pins. Use the pick to move up and down to feel for the pins. They will be located at the upper half of the lock groove. As you push several pins up, you'll feel them move and drop. Gently rock the pick up and down to push all the pins up, though some pins may not budge, but don't worry. At this point, count the pins and note which ones are moving freely and which ones are stuck.

• The curved end of the pick should face upward. You'll use the curved tip to push each pin up.
• If a pin is stuck, try applying more force with the lever. Relax and try again.

Find the first "blocking" pin and push it up until you hear a click. While checking the pins, identify the pin that isn't moving. Keep steady pressure on the lever and gently push the pin up until you hear a distinct "CLICK" sound. This sound indicates that you've aligned the pin's split with the cylinder, and the pin is no longer blocking the cylinder.

• You will notice the lever rotates slightly after pushing the pin into place. This is because the pin is no longer obstructing the cylinder.

Repeat the process for the remaining pins. Once you've pushed one pin up, the previously freed pins will block again. This is actually a good thing because it helps you identify which pin needs to be pushed next. Repeat the process until the lever can fully rotate the cylinder and open the door:

• Find the blocking pin, the one that won't move much.
• Continue rotating the lever to apply pressure on the lock as though you're unlocking it.
• Gently push the pin up until you hear the click in the lock.
• Move on to the next pin.

Adjust the pressure on the lever if you're facing difficulties. This is the most common challenge for beginners when picking locks, as it mainly involves learning to feel the right pressure. If you apply too much pressure on the lever, the pins will get stuck, preventing them from moving out of the cylinder. If you apply too little pressure or accidentally loosen your grip, the pins will slide back down, forcing you to start over. A helpful tip is to begin with a slightly stronger pressure and then gradually ease off until you can push the pins up. This method helps prevent the pins from falling back down and allows you to find the right pressure.

• Remove the plastic tip from the bobby pin as it could get stuck in the lock.
• Avoid rushing when picking the lock. Slow and steady movements are the best way to prevent mistakes that will force you to start over.
• Bobby pins work best on hook locks and standard household locks.

• Don't test the lock-picking method to see if it works, as you might damage the lock and need to replace it.
• Never pick a lock that isn't yours or without the owner's permission. This article is meant for people who have locked themselves out or lost their keys. However, only resort to this method if it's the only way for you to get into your house.

• 2 bobby pins
• A lock