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Samsung: Set Up a Screen Lock with Pattern, PIN or Password

If your Samsung phone still starts up without asking for a Pattern, PIN or Password, anyone who picks it up can open your apps, messages and photos right away. Without an active screen lock, features like Secure Folder, Samsung Pass and biometric unlock cannot work properly either. Setting a real unlock method is the only way to keep the device locked between uses.

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Step 1 of 7: Tap on **Settings**

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Android 11 · One UI 3
Set a Lock Screen with Pattern, PIN or Password – One UI 3: step 1 – Tap on Settings
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Samsung

Set a Lock Screen with Pattern, PIN or Password auf Samsung

A Samsung phone without an active screen lock relies only on a swipe to wake up. Anyone holding the device can read messages, open banking apps or copy photos, since Android treats the swipe gesture as the default unlock method until you choose something stronger.

Setting a Pattern, PIN or Password replaces that swipe with a real check. This also unlocks features tied to secure storage, such as Secure Folder or app-specific locks, which need an active screen lock to encrypt their content.

To set it up, go to SettingsLock screenScreen lock type. Choose Pattern, PIN or Password from the list, then enter your chosen unlock method and tap Continue. Enter it a second time to confirm and tap OK, then tap Done to save it.

A Pattern is fastest to draw but easier to guess from smudges on the screen. A PIN with six or more digits offers a good balance of speed and security. A Password is the strongest option since it can mix letters, numbers and symbols, though it takes longer to type each time.

If you forget the unlock method afterwards, Samsung account recovery or a factory reset are usually the only ways back in, so write it down somewhere safe before switching to a new one.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Go to SettingsLock screenScreen lock type and choose PIN instead. You need to confirm the current unlock method first, but no data is deleted.

Compatible devices

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Android 11 · One UI 3

No compatible devices are listed for this version.