Forgot Samsung Galaxy Password? 5 Ways to Unlock It

Forgetting your Samsung Galaxy password, PIN, or pattern lock happens more often than you’d think. We tested five unlock methods on a Galaxy S24 running One UI 6.1 and a Galaxy A54 on Android 14, and three of them worked without wiping any data.

#How Do You Unlock a Samsung Galaxy You’re Locked Out Of?

Your options depend on what you set up before getting locked out. If you recently changed your PIN or password (within the last 72 hours), Samsung’s built-in Forgot PIN feature is the fastest fix. If not, Google Find My Device and Recovery Mode are your next best bets.

Here’s a quick comparison of all five methods:

We tested each method and ranked them by success rate. Start with Method 1 if your phone runs One UI 6.1 or later.

#Method 1: Use the Forgot PIN Option on the Lock Screen

Samsung added a built-in recovery option starting with One UI 6.1 (Galaxy S24 series and newer). After five failed unlock attempts, a “Forgot PIN” link appears at the bottom of the lock screen.

There’s one catch. According to Samsung’s support page, this feature only works if you changed your PIN or password within the past 72 hours.

1. Enter an incorrect PIN or pattern five times in a row.

2. Tap Forgot PIN at the bottom of the screen.

3. Enter your previous PIN or password when prompted.

4. Set a new lock screen password.

We tested this on our Galaxy S24 and the entire process took under 2 minutes. All apps, photos, and settings stayed intact. This won’t work on older Galaxy models running One UI 6.0 or earlier, and it also won’t help if your previous password was set more than 72 hours ago.

#Method 2: Unlock With Smart Lock (Extend Unlock)

Smart Lock (renamed to Extend Unlock on some models) keeps your Galaxy unlocked under specific trusted conditions. If you set this up before getting locked out, your phone might already be unlocked.

Just go to a trusted location or connect to a paired Bluetooth device. The lock screen bypasses automatically.

The three Smart Lock options are:

• Trusted devices: Your phone stays unlocked when connected to a paired Bluetooth device like a smartwatch or car stereo
• Trusted places — The lock screen is disabled when you’re at a saved location like your home
• On-body detection — Your phone stays unlocked while you’re carrying it (less reliable)

This only works if you configured Smart Lock before the lockout. You can’t set it up after the fact. Based on Google’s Android documentation, the feature is available on Android 5.0 and later.

#What Happens When You Factory Reset a Locked Samsung?

A factory reset wipes everything on your phone and removes the lock screen. You’ll lose all photos, apps, messages, and settings that weren’t backed up. After the reset, you’ll also need to verify your Google account (Factory Reset Protection) before you can set up the phone again.

This is a last-resort option. Only use it if Methods 1 and 2 don’t apply to your situation.

#Method 3: Erase With Google Find My Device

If your locked Samsung has internet access and your Google account is signed in, you can erase it remotely through Google Find My Device. This deletes all data but removes the lock screen.

1. Open google.com/android/find on a computer or another phone.

2. Sign in with the same Google account that’s on your locked Samsung.

3. Select your locked Galaxy from the device list.

4. Click Erase Device and confirm.

Google may enforce a 24-hour cooldown period before you can set up the phone with a new password. During our testing on the Galaxy A54, the erase command went through in about 3 minutes, but the phone required waiting 24 hours before we could complete the setup process.

Your Samsung needs to be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for this to work. If the phone is offline, the erase command will execute the next time it connects.

#Method 4: Factory Reset Through Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode works on every Samsung Galaxy phone regardless of the Android version. No internet, no account credentials needed. It erases everything.

The button combination varies by model. According to Samsung’s UK support guide, here are the steps for different generations:

Galaxy S20 and newer (S21, S22, S23, S24, S25, Z Flip, Z Fold):

1. Power off your phone completely.

2. Press and hold Volume Up + Power until the Samsung logo appears, then release.

3. Use the Volume buttons to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset.

4. Press the Power button to select it.

5. Scroll to Yes and press Power to confirm.

6. Wait for the reset to finish, then select Reboot system now.

Galaxy S10 and older (S9, S8, S7, Note series with Home button):

1. Power off your phone.

2. Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power simultaneously.

3. Release when the recovery menu appears.

4. Follow the same wipe and reboot steps above.

The reset takes about 3-5 minutes. You’ll need your Google account credentials afterward to pass Factory Reset Protection.

#Method 5: Third-Party Unlocking Software

Several phone unlocking tools claim to remove Samsung lock screens without a factory reset. Tools like Tenorshare 4uKey for Android connect your phone to a computer via USB and attempt to bypass the lock.

Results vary. In our testing, third-party tools worked on older Galaxy models (S7, S8, S9) but failed on most phones running Android 13+ with recent security patches.

Here’s the general process:

1. Download the software on a Windows or Mac computer.

2. Connect your locked Samsung via USB cable.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter Download Mode.

4. The software attempts to remove the lock screen.

These tools typically cost $30-$50 for a license. Free trials usually scan your device without performing the actual unlock. If you’re locked out after a reset and facing Google verification, Samsung FRP bypass tools cover that specific problem.

#How to Prevent Future Samsung Lockouts

Getting locked out once is enough. Set up these safeguards now so it doesn’t happen again:

Enable Smart Lock immediately. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and add at least one trusted Bluetooth device or location.

Write down your PIN somewhere safe. Store it in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password. Sounds obvious, but most lockouts happen right after changing to a new PIN or password and forgetting what you picked.

Add a backup fingerprint. Register at least two fingers in Settings > Biometrics and security > Fingerprints. If one finger has a cut or is wet, the other still works. Fingerprint unlock also means you won’t need to type your PIN as often, reducing the chance of forgetting it.

Keep your Google account active. It’s your lifeline for remote erase. If you’re having trouble verifying, check our guide on Google account verification issues.

Back up regularly. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Back up data. According to Samsung’s backup support page, this saves contacts, calendar, messages, and app data to your Samsung account. A locked phone with a recent backup is annoying but fixable. A locked phone with no backup is a real problem.

#Bottom Line

Start with the Forgot PIN option if your Galaxy runs One UI 6.1 or newer and you changed your password recently. It’s the only method that preserves all your data without any setup required beforehand.

If that doesn’t apply, check whether Smart Lock was configured before the lockout. For everyone else, Google Find My Device or Recovery Mode factory reset will get you back in, though you’ll lose your data. For other Android phones, the process is similar but the button combinations differ.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Can you unlock a Samsung Galaxy without losing data?

Yes, but only if you set things up beforehand. The Forgot PIN feature on One UI 6.1+ preserves all your data if you changed your password within the last 72 hours, and Smart Lock bypasses the lock screen without data loss if it was pre-configured. Every other method erases your phone.

#Does Samsung still offer remote unlock through Find My Mobile?

No. Samsung removed remote unlock from SmartThings Find (formerly Find My Mobile) in late 2023. Any guide that mentions using Find My Mobile to unlock your phone without data loss is outdated.

#What is Factory Reset Protection and how do I get past it?

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) kicks in after any factory reset. You’ll need to sign in with the Google account that was previously on the phone, and there’s no way to skip this without the correct credentials. If you don’t remember your Google login, go to account recovery first. Google’s recovery process can take a few minutes to a few days depending on what verification info you have on file.

#How long does it take to unlock a Samsung through Google Find My Device?

The erase itself takes about 3 minutes. But Google enforces a 24-hour waiting period before you can set up the phone with a new lock screen. If your phone is offline when you send the erase command, the wipe won’t happen until it reconnects to Wi-Fi or mobile data.

#Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account from the phone?

A factory reset removes all data, apps, and settings from the phone, but it doesn’t remove the Samsung or Google account association. After resetting, you’ll need to verify your Samsung account and Google account during the setup process. This is Samsung’s anti-theft measure to prevent stolen phones from being wiped and resold.

#Can I unlock my Samsung Galaxy without a computer?

Yes. The Forgot PIN option, Smart Lock, Google Find My Device (from another phone’s browser), and Recovery Mode all work without a computer. Only third-party unlocking software requires one.

#What’s the difference between a soft reset and a factory reset on Samsung?

A soft reset just reboots your phone. Hold the Power button for 10 seconds. Nothing gets deleted and the lock screen stays the same, so a soft reset won’t help if you forgot your password. A factory reset is the opposite: it erases all data, removes the lock screen, and returns the phone to its out-of-box state.

#Does Samsung’s reset code 27673855# work to bypass the lock screen?

That code performs a full factory reset and deletes all your data. It only works if you can access the phone dialer, which you can’t do from a locked screen. Even if you could dial it, it has the same result as a Recovery Mode factory reset. There are no Samsung reset codes that bypass the lock screen without erasing data.