You have a problem and a burning question. “I lost the key to my mailbox. how can i open it? The good news is that there are many options. If you have a mailbox that is part of a group of mailboxes, in the case of an apartment or postal service location, you may be able to get new keys quickly. but if that’s not an option, you need a locksmith or want to read on.
disclaimer
The information in this article is intended only for people trying to regain access to their property. do not attempt to open any mailbox lock that you do not own or that the owner has not given you express permission to open. mail theft is a federal crime and can result in substantial fines and jail time. don’t break the law.
The best method to open a mailbox includes:
- pry
- pick up
- pierce
- locksmith
frequently asked questions
How secure are mailbox locks?
mailbox locks range from low security to the illusion of security. Due to the insecurity of the mailbox itself, it is rarely worth having a high security lock. most mailbox locks can be picked by novice lock pickers or forced with basic destructive entry tactics. in most cases, the mailbox can be opened by intrusion attacks that bypass the lock entirely.
Do you need lockpicks to open a locked mailbox?
There are several methods to open a mailbox that don’t involve picking locks. however, if you are looking to open your mailbox without damaging the lock or box, you are looking into how to open a mailbox lock. If you don’t have access to essential lockpicking tools, keep in mind that makeshift tools have a lower success rate, especially for novice lockpickers.
can you pick a mailbox lock if the lock is broken?
A broken lock, by definition, does not work properly with the correct key. traditional lock picking simulates a key and can’t do anything a key won’t. When you’re working with a broken mailbox lock, it needs to be replaced, so simplify your fix and drill or pry the lock open. you can consult with a locksmith, so that your mailbox is not damaged in the process.
Where can I get a new mailbox password?
If you’ve lost your mailbox key and need a new one, you may be able to get a duplicate from your property manager. If the mailbox is owned by the United States Postal Service, please contact your local Post Office for more information. For personal mailboxes where no third party has a spare key, replacing the lock is often the easiest solution.
Can the keys of the mailbox locks be changed?
many mailbox locks cannot be changed. In the event that you have lost your mailbox key, standard procedure will be to replace your mailbox lock. To rekey the locks, the device needs a simple disassembly and assembly process. most mailbox lock cores are secured with a retaining pin, which cannot be removed without ripping out the chamber lid.
How much does a locksmith charge to open a mailbox?
blocking services start at $35. Unless your mailbox key is locked in the mailbox, you will need to replace the lock. lock changes have an additional cost starting at $35. A mobile locksmith who comes to your location will almost always charge a standard service fee for arrival and assessment ($15), but the average cost is around $85.
how to open an apartment mailbox without a key
If you live in a rented space, the easiest way to lock your mailbox is to contact your property manager for a replacement key. Unless you have changed the locks without notifying the apartment manager, you should have a spare key on file for your mailbox. and if they don’t, they’ll probably prescribe a method of opening your apartment mailbox without a key.
In cases where the mailbox is owned or controlled by the postal service, you may contact your local office. Many articles on the topic of how to open an apartment mailbox without a key will tell you that you can obtain a key to a mailbox owned by the Post Office by completing the United States Postal Service Form 1094. You can see the full list of USPS forms or search online for a working link, but it appears that form is no longer offered.
If you think you can skip the step of talking to the mailbox owner and finding out how to force lock a mailbox on your own, I’d advise you not to. you have the resource of someone who knows how to open a mailbox because you have seen this problem before. Even if they don’t take responsibility for opening the locked mailbox, they can potentially offer information and even recommend a residential locksmith or commercial locksmith.
key takeaways:
- property managers should have a spare mailbox key that you can copy.
- if the mailbox is owned by usps, contact your local post office for instructions.
- if replacement keys are not available, these resources may still suggest how to open your mailbox.
1. meddle
The quickest way to open a mailbox when you lost your key is to pry the door open. This can be done quickly and with very little skill and requires only a claw hammer and flathead screwdriver (or similar tools). It is important to receive approval from the owner or manager of the mailbox before trying this method, as improper attempts can damage the mailbox door or surrounding mailboxes.
This method should not be used on a mailbox that uses thin metal doors. the thin metal is likely to bend or distort, rendering the mailbox unusable. To avoid scraping or scratching surrounding metal, place cloth towels or rags between your tools and the mailbox while prying. you can see what the process looks like here.
be very careful when doing the following:
- insert the screwdriver into the slot opposite the hinged side.
- pry until you meet resistance.
- drive the claw side of the hammer into the opening.
- li>
- remove the screwdriver.
- apply a quick prying force with your hammer.
- if the lock won’t open, use tools that provide better leverage.
This mailbox lock hack will cut off the back of the lock, so there’s nothing holding the mailbox door closed. lock can be removed and reattached. You’ll also need to change the tailpiece, so make sure you’re prepared to completely replace your mailbox lock. If you have bent the mailbox door or damaged the door to the point that it won’t close, fix the mailbox before installing the lock.
2. picking up
This is not an in-depth explanation of how to pick a lock but rather a practical guide of how to pick a mailbox lock with no prior experience. Most mailbox locks are going to use a pin tumbler system where several stacks of pins are elevated to a particular height by the groove depths on a key. You are trying to raise the pins to that height while tensioning the lock so the pins stay set in place.
With very little skill or practice, you can learn to pick a mailbox lock, but the better your tools, the faster the process will work. You can buy tools from established brands of picks or use paper clips bent into picks. in either case, you’ll need two tools. a tension wrench and a rake. once you have your tools, you can get to work.
- place your tension wrench at the top or bottom of the slot.
- whichever keeps it out of the way of your pick.
- many mailbox locks open when turning left.
If you’re getting nowhere with this method of how to pick a mailbox lock, change your tension. you can also dig a little deeper into the difference between raking and single pin picking to understand what you’re trying to accomplish through this kind of manipulation. And if you don’t want to take up lock picking as a hobby, you can ask a locksmith for help.
3. drilling
If you need to know how to open a mailbox with a broken lock, you can refer to the section on prying, which is the fastest way to open a mailbox. Besides prying, the next best mailbox lock hack is drilling. You need a screwdriver and power drill with a new drill bit. The drill bit should be slightly larger than the keyway. The drill bit will fit better once the keyway dust cover is removed.
Before you drill your lock, you must also have your replacement mailbox lock. you can also do a bit of lockdown prep which will help this go more smoothly. Lubricate the lock with any type of spray lubricant (WD-40 will work fine in this case). and once you’ve removed the dust cover, you can use an awl to give your bit something to bite into. See a video overview of this process here.
- use your screwdriver to pry the dust cover off the keyway.
- place your drill bit on top of the keyway.
- drill until you hear/feel five shakes, indicating that all five pin chambers have been destroyed.
- Use your screwdriver as a key to turn the lock.
The most common thing that can go wrong is the bit breaking in the lock. this happens when the bit is too weak, forced to do it with force, if it did not bite well, etc. the more bits you break, the more difficult the process will be. it can clog the slot or cut the lock to the point where it’s nearly impossible to get the next piece to bite down properly.
4. call a locksmith
You don’t need to know how to pick a mailbox lock if you hire a locksmith. you don’t need to familiarize yourself with any mailbox lock tricks at all. When you find the best lockout service near you, you should be able to handle opening a mailbox lock without a key. if you are thinking, “I lost the key to my mailbox. how can I open it with the least effort and best results?” call a locksmith.
Because mailbox locks cannot be changed, a locksmith will likely drill and replace the lock. the only reason to use nondestructive input is when you don’t want to replace the lock. if you don’t have a key and the lock cannot be changed, then the lock must be replaced. Although a locksmith knows how to pick a mailbox lock, they may not bother.
final thoughts
When you’re looking for how to pick a mailbox lock without damaging it, you’ll be looking at how to pick a mailbox lock. but unless you have a way to retrieve your lost mailbox key, it makes more sense to use a faster and simpler method of opening your mailbox. If you’re worried about using a destructive entry in your mailbox, consider calling a locksmith for help.