The fastest way to unlock your Samsung Galaxy depends on what you're locked out of

Samsung Galaxy phones lock in different ways, and the unlock method depends on which lock you're facing. You might be locked out of your home screen by a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint; locked out of your SIM card by a PIN; or locked out of your entire phone by Samsung's Find My Mobile service. Each has a different path back in, and some are faster than others.

If you remember your PIN or pattern, unlocking takes seconds. If you've forgotten it, you have several options that work without losing your data — though some require you to have set up a backup account beforehand. The method that works for you depends on whether you set up a Samsung account, a Google account, or neither.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, enter it on the lock screen to unlock your phone when ready.
  • If you forgot your lock screen password, you can use your Samsung account or Google account to reset it without erasing your phone.
  • Samsung Find My Mobile is the fastest recovery option if you set up a Samsung account before being locked out.
  • If you have no backup account set up, you will need to factory reset your phone, which erases all data on it.
  • SIM card locks (PINs that protect your phone number and carrier service) are separate from screen locks and require a different unlock method.

Unlock your lock screen if you remember your PIN or pattern

If you know your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, the unlock is when ready. On your lock screen, enter your PIN using the number pad, or trace your pattern on the screen. If you use a fingerprint, place your registered finger on the sensor — usually on the back of the phone or under the screen, depending on your model.

If you enter the wrong PIN or pattern five times in a row, your phone will lock you out for 30 seconds before letting you try again. After multiple failed attempts, you may see a message offering to unlock with your Google account or Samsung account instead. This is your cue that you can use one of those accounts to reset your lock.

Reset your lock screen using your Samsung account

If you set up a Samsung account on your phone before being locked out, you can use it to reset your lock screen without erasing your data. On your lock screen, after several failed unlock attempts, look for a link that says "Unlock with Samsung account" or "Find My Mobile." Tap it.

You will be taken to a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password for your Samsung account. Once you sign in, your phone will prompt you to create a new PIN, pattern, or password. Set a new lock and you're in — your photos, messages, and apps remain on the phone.

If you don't see this option on your lock screen, you can also go to the Samsung Find My Mobile website from another device. Visit findmymobile.samsung.com, sign in with your Samsung account, select your phone from the list of devices, and choose "Unlock my mobile." The phone will unlock within a few minutes.

Reset your lock screen using your Google account

If you don't have a Samsung account but you set up a Google account on your phone, you can use it to reset your lock. After several failed unlock attempts, your lock screen should show an option like "Forgot pattern?" or "Forgot PIN?" Tap it.

You will be asked to sign in with your Google account email and password. Once you do, you can create a new lock screen PIN or pattern. Your data stays on the phone. This method works on most Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 5.0 and newer.

If you don't see this option, your phone may be running an older version of Android. In that case, you will need to use Samsung Find My Mobile or perform a factory reset.

Factory reset your phone if you have no backup account

If you don't remember your lock screen password and you never set up a Samsung or Google account on your phone, a factory reset is your only option. A factory reset erases everything on your phone — all photos, messages, apps, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it.

To factory reset a locked Samsung Galaxy, turn off the phone completely. Then press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time until the Samsung logo appears. Release the Power button but keep holding Volume Up until you see the recovery menu.

Use the Volume Down button to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset" and press the Power button to select it. Confirm by selecting "Yes" with the Volume Down button and pressing Power. The reset will take a few minutes. When it's done, your phone will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new.

Unlock a SIM card PIN separately from your screen lock

Your SIM card — the small chip that holds your phone number and carrier information — can have its own PIN separate from your screen lock. If your SIM is locked, you will see a message asking for a "SIM PIN" when you turn on the phone, before you even reach the lock screen.

If you know your SIM PIN, enter it and your phone will start normally. If you forgot it, you will need to contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever provides your service). They can unlock your SIM or send you a replacement. You will need to verify your account with them, usually by answering security questions or providing your account number.

Do not guess your SIM PIN more than three times in a row — after three wrong attempts, your SIM will lock permanently and you will have to contact your carrier to unlock it.

Unlock your phone remotely using Find My Mobile

If you set up a Samsung account before being locked out, you can unlock your phone from any computer or another device using Samsung Find My Mobile. Go to findmymobile.samsung.com in a web browser.

Sign in with your Samsung account email and password. You will see a list of all Samsung devices registered to that account. Select the phone you want to unlock. Click "Unlock my mobile" and follow the on-screen instructions. Your phone will unlock within a few minutes, even if it's turned off.

This method works only if your phone has internet access (through Wi-Fi or mobile data) and your Samsung account was set up before you were locked out. If your phone is completely offline and has no backup account, remote unlock is not possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I enter my PIN wrong too many times?

After five wrong attempts, your phone locks for 30 seconds. After more attempts, the lockout period gets longer. You will eventually see an option to unlock using your Google account or Samsung account instead. If you keep guessing wrong, you may be forced to factory reset.

Can I unlock my phone without erasing it if I have no backup account?

No. If you never set up a Samsung or Google account and you don't remember your lock screen password, a factory reset is the only way in. This erases all your data. This is why setting up a backup account when you first get your phone is important.

Do I need internet to unlock my phone?

If you're using your Samsung account or Google account to reset your lock, your phone needs internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile data) to sign in and verify your identity. If your phone is offline, you cannot use these methods. A factory reset does not require internet.

How long does it take to unlock my phone with Find My Mobile?

Usually a few minutes. Your phone needs to be connected to the internet for the unlock command to reach it. If your phone is offline, the unlock will happen the next time it connects to the internet.

What's the difference between a screen lock and a SIM PIN?

A screen lock protects access to your phone's data and apps. A SIM PIN protects your phone number and carrier service. You can have both locks active at the same time. If your SIM is locked, you see the SIM PIN prompt before the screen lock appears.