How to remove the screen lock pin code on Android Samsung

The situation when you forget security code access to your smartphone happens quite often. This is especially true if you rarely use unlocking or have changed your usual combination to a more complex one for the sake of security. Device owners Samsung Galaxy face this no less often than others, and the question of how to quickly and without loss to remove the lock becomes critically important.

There are several proven methods for bypassing protection, but their effectiveness directly depends on the version of the operating system Android and the preliminary settings of your gadget. Modern versions One UI have stronger encryption protocols, so older methods may not work, requiring more drastic measures. In this article we will analyze all the current options for action, from the most gentle to a complete reset.

Before taking active action, you need to understand that some methods can lead to deleting data. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to wait and remember the code, it is better to use it. However, if access to information inside the device is not a priority or a backup copy has been saved, you can proceed to regain control of the device.

Using the Smart Lock function to bypass the password

One ​​of the most convenient, but often ignored tools is the function Smart Lock. It allows you to automatically keep your screen unlocked under certain conditions, which can help you access settings and change a forgotten PIN. This option is especially useful if you have previously set up trusted places or devices.

If your phone is currently in a "safe zone", for example, in your home, or connected to a trusted Bluetooth gadget (watch, headphones, car system), the screen can be unlocked with a simple swipe. In this case, you need to immediately go to the security settings menu. Find the section Settings → Biometrics and security → Smart Lock.

Inside this menu, you can disable the password requirement for current conditions or change the lock code itself to one that you definitely remember. This only works if the feature was activated before the problem occurred. If the phone is locked and does not see trusted devices, this method, alas, will not help.

• 📍 Trusted places: the phone does not require a password in the specified GPS coordinates.
• 🎧 Trusted devices: unlocking when connecting Bluetooth accessories.
• 👤 Recognition faces: automatic login when scanning the owner's face.

It is important to note that in the latest security updates Google Smart Lock functionality has been redesigned and renamed "Unlock Saving". The Smart Lock function has been completely restored has been abolished and replaced by a new system of trusted profiles in Android 15 and higher. If you have the latest firmware installed, look for the settings in the "Unlock Saving" section.

Unlocking through the Samsung Find My Mobile service

The most effective and official way for equipment owners Samsung is to use a cloud service Find My Mobile. Unlike standard Google tools, this tool allows you to remove the screen lock while saving all data on the device. To do this, you need to be logged in to your phone Samsung Account and have the remote unlock option enabled.

The process of restoring access is as follows. Log in from your computer or other device to the official website of the service. After logging into your account, you will see a list of linked gadgets. Select your locked smartphone from the menu on the left. Among the available actions, find the “Unlock” button.

The system will ask you to confirm the operation by entering your account password Samsung. After confirmation on the phone screen, all types of locking will be reset: pin code, pattern, password and biometrics. The device will return to a state where there is no lock screen or requires setting up again, but all files, photos and contacts will remain in place.

⚠️ Attention: The remote unlock function only works if the phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). If the device is in airplane mode or without a SIM card, the command will not be executed until the network appears.

Please note that the service will not work if you have not activated the "Unlock" function in the settings of the phone itself in advance. You can check this along the way Settings → Biometrics and security → Find device. If the toggle switch was turned off, you will not be able to remove the code remotely.

Reset blocking via Google account (Android Device Manager)

For devices that do not have an account configured Samsung, but are logged in Google account, there is an alternative way. Previously, the Find Device service allowed you to change the lock password, but in new versions Android this function has been transformed. Now it is more often used to block or clear data, but in some cases it helps to restore access.

Go to the page google.com/android/find from any browser. Select your device from the list. If the phone is online, you will see several options. Try selecting the "Lock device" option. The system will prompt you to enter a new temporary password. Enter it and confirm.

After this, a request to enter a new password (which you just set) should appear on the screen of your locked phone. Enter it and the phone will unlock. Then you can go to the settings and disable the screen lock completely or set a new, memorable code.

This method is unstable on modern versions One UI due to security policies. If instead of changing the password, the system only offers to clear data, then this option is not available for your model and software version. In this case, you just have to rely on the manufacturer’s services or a reset.

Removing the lock through Recovery mode and resetting the data

If none of the cloud methods helped, the last and most radical method remains - Hard Reset. This process completely erases all information from the phone's internal storage, returning it to factory settings. The screen lock will be removed, but you will lose contacts, photos and applications if they have not been synchronized.

To enter recovery mode on smartphones Samsung with a button Home and without it, the algorithm of actions is different. On models without a physical button (S10, S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 and newer series), you must connect the phone with a USB cable to a running computer. This is a mandatory requirement for new versions. Android.

After connecting, press the Volume Up and Powerbuttons simultaneously. Hold them until the logo Samsungappears, then release. You will be taken to a black menu with text - this is Recovery Mode. Navigation here is carried out with the volume buttons, and selection is done with the power button.

Use the volume buttons to go down to the point Wipe data/factory reset. Press the Power button to confirm. On the next screen, select Factory data reset and confirm the action again. The process will take a few seconds, after which the phone will return to the main recovery mode menu.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting, the phone may require you to enter the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the lock (FRP protection). This is a security measure against theft, and it is extremely difficult to bypass it without an account password.

The table below shows key combinations for entering recovery mode for different series of devices:

Device series	Button combination	Necessity USB	Action after the logo
Samsung S10 - S24 (without Home)	Volume Up + Power	Required	Release all buttons
Samsung A-series (without Home)	Volume Up + Power	Desirable	Release all buttons
Samsung with Home button	Volume Up + Home + Power	Not required	Release Power, hold the rest
Samsung tablets	Volume Up + Power	Depends on the model	Release all buttons

Using USB and ADB debugging (for advanced)

For users familiar with the command line, there is a method for deleting the key file via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is only possible if, before locking the screen, “USB Debugging” was activated in the developer settings and permission was given to the computer.

Connect the phone to the PC on which ADB Driver and platform tools are installed. Open a command prompt in the ADB folder. Enter the command to test the connection: adb devices. If the device is detected, you can try to delete the file storing the pattern or pin code.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

After running these commands, reboot the device. On the lock screen, you can enter any password or swipe, and the phone should unlock. Unfortunately, on modern devices with data encryption, this method rarely works, since access to the partition /data/system/ without unlocking is closed.

What to do if ADB does not see the phone?

If the adb devices command does not show the serial number, then USB debugging is not enabled or the drivers are not installed. In this case, this method will not work, and you will have to use a reset via Recovery.

Preventing blocking and creating backups

In order not to encounter the problem of a forgotten password in the future, it is worth introducing the habit of regular backups. Service Samsung Cloud or Google One allows you to automatically save contacts, photos and system settings. If you reset, you can restore everything in a few minutes.

It is also recommended to use biometric login methods - fingerprint or iris scanner. Not only are they more convenient, but they also allow you to unlock your phone even if you forget the digital code (although you will still have to enter the code periodically for security). Set up a backup unlocking method, such as a pattern that is easy to draw.

Write down a complex password in a safe place: a paper notepad or a password manager on your computer. Human memory is imperfect, and complex combinations of 10+ characters are forgotten faster than it seems. Regularly checking the functionality of your accounts Samsung and Google will also not be superfluous.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Will the phone reset after 10 incorrect password attempts?

On older versions of Android there was an automatic reset function after a certain number of errors. In modern Samsung Galaxy default, the phone is simply blocked for increasing periods of time (from 30 seconds to an hour). Automatic data deletion must be enabled manually in the security settings.

Is it possible to unlock Samsung without losing data?

Yes, this is only possible through the service Find My Mobile from Samsung, if you have created an account in advance and enabled remote unlocking. All other methods, including resetting via buttons, will lead to complete deletion of user data.

What is FRP lock and how to bypass it?

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google protection, which requires you to enter an account synchronized with the phone before the reset. Officially, you can bypass it only by knowing your login and password. Third-party bypass methods exist, but they depend on the specific version of Android and are often covered by security patches.

Why does fingerprint unlocking not work after a reboot?

This is normal security behavior Android. After each complete reboot or switching on of the phone, the system requires entering the main PIN code or password to confirm the owner’s identity. Biometrics starts working only after successfully entering the code.