If you forgot your Samsung phone password, you can still change it without losing data if you act within 72 hours of setting the new lock screen. The fastest way to change a Samsung phone password if forgot is to use the previous screen lock recovery method, which lets you bypass phone lock screens by entering your old PIN, password, or pattern after five failed attempts.
How to change Samsung phone password if forgot: your first and best option
The 72-hour previous screen lock recovery method is the quickest way to regain access without losing any personal data. Samsung documents that if your screen lock was changed recently, you have a 72-hour window where the previous PIN, password, or pattern can unlock the device. This method works when the screen lock is set to PIN, password, or pattern, with or without biometrics like fingerprints or face recognition.
- Enter any wrong lock screen method five times on your Samsung phone.
- Tap Forgot PIN/password/pattern? that appears on the screen.
- Select Reset with previous screen lock.
- Enter your previous PIN, password, or pattern.
- Set a new lock screen method of your choice.
This option only appears if you changed the screen lock within the last 72 hours. If the 72-hour window has passed, you will not see the "Reset with previous screen lock" option, and you must try a different method.
Unlock your Samsung remotely with Find My Mobile
If the previous lock method is not available, you can unlock your Samsung phone remotely through Find My Mobile, provided you turned on the necessary setting before your phone was locked. Samsung requires three conditions: the phone must be powered on and connected to Wi‑Fi or a mobile network, it must be signed in to a Samsung account, and Remote unlock must have been enabled in advance. The path to enable Remote unlock is Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile > Remote unlock.
To unlock your phone:
- On a computer or another device, go to findmymobile.samsung.com.
- Sign in with the Samsung account that is on your locked phone.
- Select your device from the list of registered devices.
- Choose the Unlock option.
- Confirm with your Samsung account password.
Once this process completes, your phone’s lock screen security resets to swipe only. Samsung's support text says this resets the lock screen security to swipe only. You can then immediately set a new PIN, password, or pattern from the device settings. If Find My Mobile was not enabled before the phone was locked, this method will not work.
Factory reset your Samsung phone from the Recovery menu
If neither the previous lock method nor Find My Mobile works, your last resort is a factory reset from the Recovery menu. This erases all data on your phone, including apps, photos, contacts, and settings, so it should only be used when you have no other option and cannot recover the password. Samsung documents this as the fallback method for situations where the phone remains locked and no remote unlock is possible.
- Power off your Samsung phone completely.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button simultaneously.
- Release both buttons when the Android Recovery Menu appears.
- Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset.
- Press the Power button to select it.
- Use the Volume Down button to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm.
- Wait for the reset to complete, then the phone will reboot to factory settings.
After the factory reset, you will need your Google Account password to set up the phone again due to FRP (Factory Reset Protection). If you follow a guide on how to FRP bypass lock on any Android phone, it may allow you to regain basic access.
What about Google Find My Device or account recovery?
Many users wonder if Google can help unlock a Samsung phone. Google’s Find My Device service is designed for finding, securing, or erasing an Android device, not for unlocking a forgotten screen lock. Using Find My Device to erase the phone removes all data and makes Find My Device stop working on that phone. Google's related help text states that after an erase, Find My Device won't work on the phone. Additionally, a standard Google account recovery process does not change a Samsung lock screen password. If you have forgotten your Samsung account password, you can reset it by choosing Forgot password? at the Samsung account sign-in screen or by going to Settings > Samsung account > Forgot password or don’t have an account? > Forgot password on a device where you are already signed in. or via Settings > Samsung account > Forgot password or don't have an account? > Forgot password.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I forgot my Samsung phone password and the 72-hour window has passed?
If more than 72 hours have passed since you set the current lock screen, the previous lock method will not appear. Your remaining options are to try Find My Mobile (if Remote unlock was enabled) or perform a factory reset from the Recovery menu, which deletes all data.
Can I unlock my Samsung phone without losing data if Find My Mobile was not enabled?
No. If you did not enable Remote unlock before the phone was locked, Find My Mobile cannot unlock the device. The only data-preserving option is the 72-hour previous lock method. Without that, a factory reset is the only official path, and it deletes everything.
Will a factory reset remove my Samsung account from the phone?
Yes, a factory reset removes all accounts, including your Samsung account. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Samsung account credentials. If you have forgotten those, reset them separately from any Samsung login page before attempting to set up the phone.
How do I reset my Samsung account password if I forgot it?
On the Samsung account sign-in page, click or tap Forgot password? and follow the instructions sent to your recovery email or phone number. > Forgot password.
Does Google Find My Device unlock my Samsung phone without erasing data?
No. Google’s Find My Device can only locate, secure, or erase your phone. It does not include an option to unlock the screen lock without erasing data. Erasing the phone removes all data and will require your Google Account password to set up the device again.
Can I use the previous lock method on a Samsung phone that uses biometrics only?
Yes, you can use the 72-hour previous lock method even if your phone uses biometrics like fingerprints or face recognition. Samsung states the method applies to screen locks set to PIN, password, or pattern, with or without biometrics enabled. The recovery prompt appears after five failed lock screen attempts regardless of biometric setup.
For the wider topic, see bypassing phone lock screens.
