The fastest way to unlock your Samsung depends on what you remember

If you have forgotten your PIN, pattern, or password, Samsung gives you several ways back in without losing your data. The method that works depends on whether you remember your Samsung account password, have access to the phone number or email tied to your account, or can use your fingerprint or face recognition. Most people can unlock their phone in under five minutes using one of these routes.

The key is that Samsung locks are tied to your Samsung account (also called a Samsung Knox account), not just to the phone itself. That means if you can prove you own the account, Samsung's servers will let you reset the lock without wiping everything.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Samsung account password, you can unlock the phone directly from the lock screen by entering your email and password.
  • If you do not remember your Samsung password, you can reset it using the email or phone number attached to your account, then use the new password to unlock your phone.
  • If you have a fingerprint or face ID set up as a backup, you can use that to unlock the phone and then change your PIN or pattern.
  • If none of these work, you can sign into your Samsung account on a computer and use Find Mobile to remotely unlock the device.
  • Factory reset is the last resort and will erase all data on the phone unless you have a backup.

Unlock using your Samsung account password from the lock screen

After you have entered the wrong PIN or pattern several times, your Samsung will show a message saying "Forgot password?" or "Forgot PIN?" Tap that link.

Enter the email address or phone number tied to your Samsung account, then enter your Samsung account password. If you remember the password, the phone will unlock when ready and you can set a new PIN or pattern right away.

If you are not sure which email you used, check any Samsung devices you own, or look for emails from Samsung in your inbox. Samsung sends account confirmation emails when you first set up the account.

Reset your Samsung password if you have forgotten it

If you do not remember your Samsung account password, go to account.samsung.com on a computer or another device. Click "Sign in" at the top right, then click "Forgot password?"

Enter the email address or phone number attached to your Samsung account. Samsung will send a reset link to that email or a verification code to that phone number. Follow the link or enter the code, then create a new password.

Once you have set a new password, go back to your locked Samsung phone and tap "Forgot password?" on the lock screen. Enter your email and the new password. The phone will unlock.

Use fingerprint or face recognition if you set it up

If you registered your fingerprint or face with your Samsung phone, you can use either one to unlock the device even if you have forgotten your PIN or pattern. Place your finger on the sensor or look at the front camera, depending on which method you set up.

Once the phone is unlocked, go to Settings > Lock screen > Screen lock type and change your PIN or pattern to something you will remember. You can also remove the lock entirely if you prefer.

Unlock remotely using Find Mobile on a computer

If you cannot remember your Samsung password and do not have a backup unlock method, you can use Find Mobile (Samsung's device tracking service) to unlock your phone from a computer.

Go to findmobile.samsung.com and sign in with your Samsung account email and password. If you have forgotten that password, reset it first using the steps above. Once you are signed in, select your phone from the list of devices and click "Unlock." The phone will unlock within a few minutes.

This method works only if you turned on Find Mobile before you locked yourself out. If you did not, you will need to use factory reset instead.

Factory reset as a last resort

If you cannot remember your Samsung account password, do not have access to the email or phone number on your account, and did not set up Find Mobile, a factory reset is your only option. This erases all data on the phone — photos, messages, apps, everything — unless you have a backup.

To factory reset a locked Samsung, turn off the phone completely. Then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons, then use the Volume Down button to highlight "Wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it. Confirm by pressing Volume Up.

After the reset completes, the phone will restart and ask you to set up a new Samsung account or sign into an existing one. If you sign in with your original account, some data may restore from your Samsung Cloud backup if you had one set up.

Prevent lockouts in the future

Set up at least one backup unlock method so you are not stuck if you forget your main PIN or pattern. Register your fingerprint, set up face recognition, or both. These are faster than typing a password and give you a way in if you forget the code.

Write your Samsung account password down in a find place — a password manager, a locked drawer, or a trusted person's safe. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, your Samsung password is stored encrypted and you only have to remember one master password.

Turn on Find Mobile in Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security > Find My Mobile. This takes two minutes and can save you hours of trouble later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlocking my Samsung phone erase my data?

No, unlocking using your Samsung account password, fingerprint, face recognition, or Find Mobile will not erase anything. Only a factory reset erases data, and that is the last resort when no other method works.

What if I do not have access to the email or phone number on my Samsung account?

If you set up the account with an email you no longer use or a phone number you no longer have, you will need to contact Samsung Support. They can verify your identity using the phone's serial number or other information and help you regain access to your account. This process takes longer than the self-service methods but does not require a factory reset.

Can I unlock my Samsung phone without a Samsung account?

No. All Samsung phones since 2015 require a Samsung account to unlock if you have forgotten your PIN or pattern. This is a security feature to prevent theft. You must either remember your account password, reset it, or use a backup unlock method.

How long does it take to unlock using Find Mobile?

The unlock command usually reaches your phone within a few minutes, but it can take up to 15 minutes if your phone is offline or has a weak connection. Make sure your phone is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data for the fastest result.

If I factory reset, will my photos and messages come back?

Only if you had Samsung Cloud backup turned on before you locked yourself out. After the reset, sign into your Samsung account and choose to restore from backup. If you did not have backup enabled, those files are gone. This is why setting up backup and a fingerprint unlock method now can save you from losing data later.