The only way to unlock your Galaxy S21 without a password, without wiping your data, is Samsung's Find My Mobile service. However, this method only works if you enabled the feature before you got locked out, making it a critical prerequisite for bypassing phone lock screens.
The only way to unlock your Galaxy S21 without a password
If you are locked out of your Galaxy S21 and have not set up Find My Mobile in advance, there is no documented way to regain access without a factory reset. Samsung's official support pages confirm that Find My Mobile is the sole non-wipe unlock path for modern Galaxy devices. Samsung documents Find My Mobile for Samsung Galaxy devices generally, not only the S21.
Prerequisites you must have met before getting locked out
Two conditions must be true for Find My Mobile to work. First, your Galaxy S21 must be powered on and connected to Wi‑Fi or a mobile network. Second, the phone must have Remote unlock enabled in Settings before you forgot your password. The Samsung account must already be registered on the device. Without these things set up ahead of time, the service cannot unlock your device.
How to use Find My Mobile to unlock your phone
You can start the unlock process from two places. Choose the one that fits your situation.
- From a browser: Go to findmymobile.samsung.com and sign in with the Samsung account that is on your locked phone. Select your Galaxy S21 from the list of devices, then click Unlock. Find My Mobile unlock requires entering your Samsung account password again to confirm the action.
- From the phone itself: If you can still use biometrics (fingerprint or face) to get into the phone but have forgotten your PIN, pattern, or password, go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile. From there, you can reset the unlock methods.
What happens after you unlock with Find My Mobile
Using Find My Mobile removes all existing unlock data from your Galaxy S21. This includes your PIN, pattern, password, and any biometric methods like fingerprints or facial recognition. After the unlock, you must set up a new screen lock method from scratch. This is a clean slate, not a recovery of your old credentials.
What to do if Find My Mobile was not set up
If you did not enable Remote unlock before getting locked out, the only remaining option is a factory reset. This erases all data on the device, including photos, apps, and settings. There is no workaround that preserves your information. For the correct factory reset procedure, follow the steps on the Samsung support page for your model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you unlock a Galaxy S21 without the password using Google Account?
No. Google's documented pattern reset method only works on Android 4.4 or lower with a pattern lock. The Galaxy S21 runs a modern Android version, so that method does not apply. Google's Find My Device service is for locating, securing, or erasing a phone, not for unlocking a forgotten screen lock without wiping data.
Do you need the phone to be online for Samsung Find My Mobile unlock?
Yes. Samsung requires the device to be connected to Wi‑Fi or a mobile network for the unlock command to reach it. If the phone is offline, Find My Mobile cannot unlock it.
Will a factory reset on a Galaxy S21 remove the lock screen?
Yes. A factory reset erases all data, including the lock screen security. After the reset, the phone boots up as new, and you can set a fresh PIN, pattern, or password. However, all personal data is lost unless you had a recent backup.
