What to do if you forget your Samsung tablet PIN or pattern

If you have forgotten the PIN, pattern, or password protecting your Samsung tablet, you have several ways back in without losing your data. The fastest route depends on whether you remember your Samsung account credentials — the email and password you used to set up the device. If you do, you can unlock the tablet remotely through Samsung's Find Mobile service or by entering your account details on the lock screen itself.

If you do not remember your Samsung account password, or if the tablet is too old to support account unlock, you will need to perform a factory reset. This erases all data on the device, so it should be your last option. Before you start, know that Samsung tablets require you to verify your Samsung account after a reset — you cannot straightforward wipe the device and use it blank.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Samsung account email and password, you can unlock most tablets by entering those credentials on the lock screen after a few failed attempts.
  • Samsung Find Mobile lets you unlock a tablet remotely if the device is connected to the internet and linked to your Samsung account.
  • A factory reset will erase all data but allows you to set a new PIN or password; you will then need to sign in with your Samsung account to finish setup.
  • Older Samsung tablets may not support account-based unlock and will require a factory reset as the only option.
  • If you do not remember your Samsung account password either, you will need to recover that password through Samsung's website before you can complete the unlock process.

Unlock using your Samsung account on the lock screen

After you enter an incorrect PIN, pattern, or password five times in a row, most Samsung tablets show a message saying you can try again in 30 seconds. Keep trying until you see a button or link that says "Forgot password," "Forgot PIN," or "Unlock with Samsung account." Tap it.

The tablet will then ask you to enter the email address and password for the Samsung account linked to the device. Type in your credentials. If the information is correct, the tablet will unlock when ready and you can set a new PIN or password in the Settings app. This method works on most Samsung tablets made in the last five years and requires the device to have internet access.

If you do not see a "Forgot" button after multiple failed attempts, your tablet model may not support this feature. Move to the factory reset method instead.

Unlock remotely using Samsung Find Mobile

If your tablet is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, you can unlock it from another device using Samsung Find Mobile. Go to findmobile.samsung.com on a computer or another phone, and sign in with the same Samsung account email and password you used to set up the tablet.

Once you are logged in, select your tablet from the list of devices. Look for an option labeled "Unlock" or "Unlock my mobile." Click it. The tablet will unlock within a few seconds if it is online. You will then be able to set a new PIN or password.

This method only works if the tablet is powered on and has an active internet connection. If the device is off or offline, you will not be able to reach it remotely.

Recover your Samsung account password first

If you cannot remember the Samsung account password, you must recover it before you can use either of the methods above. Go to samsung.com/account on a computer and click "Sign in." Then click "Forgot your password?"

Samsung will ask you to enter the email address associated with your account. Check your email for a password reset link. Click the link and follow the steps to create a new password. Once you have set a new password, return to your tablet and use the account unlock method or Samsung Find Mobile with your new credentials.

If you do not have access to the email address linked to your Samsung account, the password recovery process will be blocked. In that case, you will need to perform a factory reset and set up the tablet with a different Samsung account.

Perform a factory reset if you cannot unlock any other way

A factory reset erases all data on the tablet — photos, documents, apps, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. You should only do this if you have tried the account unlock methods and they did not work. Before you start, make sure you know your Samsung account email and password, because you will need them after the reset is complete.

To perform a factory reset on a Samsung tablet, turn off the device completely. Then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for about 10 seconds until you see the Samsung logo. Release both buttons. The tablet will boot into Recovery Mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background.

Use the Volume Down button to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Select "Yes" using the Volume buttons and press Power to confirm. The reset will take a few minutes. When it finishes, select "Reboot system now" and the tablet will restart.

Set up your tablet after a factory reset

When the tablet restarts after a factory reset, it will walk you through the initial setup process, just as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. You will also be asked to sign in with your Samsung account.

At the Samsung account sign-in screen, enter the email and password for the Samsung account that was originally linked to the tablet. This is a security requirement — Samsung tablets cannot be fully set up without verifying the original account. Once you sign in, you can then set a new PIN, pattern, or password for the lock screen.

If you do not remember the original Samsung account password, recover it through samsung.com/account before you start the setup process. If you do not have access to the original Samsung account email address at all, you may need to contact Samsung Support for further steps.

What to do if you are locked out of a work or shared tablet

If the tablet belongs to your employer, school, or another organization, do not attempt a factory reset without permission. Many work tablets are managed through Mobile Device Management (MDM) software, which means a factory reset may trigger a remote lock or wipe that you cannot undo.

Instead, contact your IT department or the person who manages the device. They can unlock it remotely or provide you with the correct credentials. If you are locked out of a shared family tablet, ask the person who set it up to unlock it or to provide the Samsung account password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unlock my Samsung tablet without knowing my Samsung account password?

Not without a factory reset. If you do not know the Samsung account password, you must recover it through samsung.com/account first. A factory reset will erase your data, but you will still need the original Samsung account password to complete setup afterward.

Will a factory reset delete my photos and files?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything stored on the tablet — photos, videos, documents, apps, and all settings. If your files were backed up to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service, you can restore them after setup is complete. If they were not backed up, they cannot be recovered.

How long does it take to unlock a tablet using Samsung Find Mobile?

If the tablet is online, the unlock happens within seconds. If the tablet is offline or powered off, Samsung Find Mobile cannot reach it. You will need to wait until the device is turned on and connected to the internet, or use the factory reset method instead.

What if I see a message saying my account is locked?

Samsung may temporarily lock your account if it detects multiple failed sign-in attempts. Wait 24 hours before trying again, or go to samsung.com/account and use the "Forgot your password" option to reset it. This usually unlocks the account when ready.

Can I unlock a Samsung tablet without a computer or another device?

Yes, if you remember your Samsung account credentials. Use the "Forgot password" option on the lock screen itself. If you do not remember those credentials and have no other device to recover your password with, you will need to perform a factory reset, which requires only the tablet itself.