Forgot Your Samsung Password? Unlock It Without Losing Data

Download Article

Bypass any Samsung lock screen without losing your data

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: July 31, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Unlocking a Samsung Without Data Loss: Overview

|

Resetting with Google's Find My Device

|

With Android 4.4 and Below

|

Using Smart Lock/Extend Unlock

|

Tips to Avoid Getting Locked Out

Are you wondering how you can unlock a Samsung without the password and without losing data? Unfortunately, many newer phones are protected enough to prevent unlocking a phone or tablet without the password, PIN, pattern, or biometrics. However, this wikiHow article covers what steps to take on older phones and how to prevent being locked out of your phone or tablet.

Can you unlock a Samsung Galaxy without losing data?

You must reset your phone if you forgot the password, which usually results in some data loss. However, because most of your data is automatically synced to your Google account, you can easily restore important data like contacts and photos.

Section 1 of 5:

Unlocking a Samsung Without Data Loss: Overview

Download Article

You can unlock a Samsung phone without losing data (mostly). If you're looking to unlock a device that you've forgotten the password to, you can reset it from a backup with Google's Find My Device. Restoring data after a reset is easy as long as you have a backup and/or sync important data like photos and contacts to your Google account.
- Backups are made when you connect your Android account and Google account and have basic device backup on.
- If you don't have backups on and can't remember your phone password, it's very unlikely that you'll be able to get into your device without losing any data.
- If you can access your device, you can set up Smart Lock (also called Extend Unlock) to keep your phone unlocked without needing the password.

Section 2 of 5:

Resetting with Google's Find My Device

Download Article

1
Go to https://www.google.com/android/find/ and sign in. Since much of the data on your phone is cloud-based, performing a factory reset isn't as destructive as you might think. Once you sign back into your Google account, you can access all the information you synced to your account. And if you created a backup, you'll be prompted to restore it during setup, bringing important data like app settings, call history, texts, and preferences back to your phone.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Anything you haven't backed up or synced to your Google account will be deleted during the reset.
- This method requires having "Find My Device" enabled on your Android.
You'll see all the devices using your Google account on the left.
3
Click Factory reset device. It's also on the left side of your screen. Your phone will turn off and reset to factory settings, which means you'll be asked to set up your Samsung phone all over again.
- When you log in to your Google account, any data you had synced to Google (including your contacts) will sync back to your phone, resulting in very little data loss.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to restore from your latest backup.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

With Android 4.4 and Below

Download Article

This method only works with older phones (running Android 4.4 or older) with Google accounts; newer phones have too many protections that prevent unlocking a phone or tablet without a password.
It's in the bottom right corner.
You'll need to enter your Google username and password.
You'll unlock the phone and can then go to Settings to change your PIN/Passcode/Pattern so you can unlock it without your Google account.

Section 4 of 5:

Using Smart Lock/Extend Unlock

Download Article

This feature allows you to keep your phone unlocked during certain conditions, such as when your phone is in your pocket, within range of a particular Bluetooth device, or in a certain location.^{[4]
X
Research source} If this feature is enabled on your Samsung phone, you may be able to unlock it without losing data just by satisfying the conditions. For example, if the phone automatically unlocks at your workplace, head to your workplace and swipe to wake up your phone.

Section 5 of 5:

Tips to Avoid Getting Locked Out

Download Article

1
Set up Smart Lock or Extend Unlock. Google has a new name for Smart Lock, and it's called Extend Unlock. Both of these functions allow you to easily bypass the lock screen if you meet a few specifications.^{[5]
X
Research source} It's available on all Samsung phones by default.
- For example, you can set Smart Lock/Extend Unlock to keep your phone unlocked while it's on your body, if you're located in a specific place, or if there's a trusted device nearby.
- Find Smart Lock in Settings > Lock Screen > Smart Lock.
- Find Extend Unlock in Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Extend Unlock.
2
Use a different lock type. If you're not good at remembering passwords or patterns, try a biometric password instead! Go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Screen lock type and add another security measure. You can have more than one set.
- For example, you can have Face ID, Fingerprints, and PIN selected.
Apps like DroidKit, 4uKey, and AndroidUnlock might be helpful, but there's no guarantee they'll get you back into your phone. None of these apps are free, and it's highly unlikely they'll work for newer Androids with more powerful encryption.