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If you changed your Galaxy screen lock recently and it runs One UI 6.1 or later, try the previous pattern first: Samsung may let you use it within 72 hours of the change. If that option does not apply, the official recovery routes described here erase the phone. Before resetting, make sure you can sign in to the Samsung or Google account that may be required afterward.
Start with the one option that may preserve your data
Samsung supports recovery with a previous PIN, password, or pattern on eligible Galaxy models running One UI 6.1 or later. It applies only if you changed the screen lock within the previous 72 hours and can remember the old lock. Samsung says the previous-lock recovery option is available once per lock type; once used, the saved previous-lock data is deleted. Samsung’s India instructions describe the process, though labels can vary by model and market.
- On the lock screen, make only reasonable attempts to enter the current pattern. Samsung says the “Forgot PIN/Password/Pattern” option appears after five or more failed attempts.
- Choose the “Forgot PIN/Password/Pattern” option when it appears. The wording may differ.
- Enter the previous screen lock and, if accepted, set a new one.
Samsung allows only three incorrect entries of the previous lock in this recovery flow. Do not treat it as an unlimited guessing opportunity. If the option is absent, the phone may not meet the software or timing requirements, or the recovery window may have expired.
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Samsung’s and Google’s documented routes for a phone that still cannot be unlocked are resets, not ways to remove the pattern while keeping data on the handset.
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| Option | Effect on data | What it depends on |
|---|---|---|
| Use the previous screen lock | May avoid a reset if accepted | Eligible Galaxy with One UI 6.1 or later, a lock changed within 72 hours, and the previous lock |
| Remote erase | Erases data stored on the phone | Relevant Samsung or Google account and remote-finding prerequisites; the device must be online for the erase command |
| Button-based factory reset | Erases data stored on the phone and may trigger Google Factory Reset Protection | Model-specific reset steps and access to the Google account previously used on the device |
Use a remote erase only if you accept losing local data
Samsung remote erase
Samsung’s current recovery guidance describes using “Erase data” through SmartThings Find; Samsung Korea documents the equivalent reset through Samsung Find. The phone must be associated with the Samsung account used for the action and online for the erase to proceed. This is a factory reset, not a remote screen unlock that preserves photos, files, or other stored data. See Samsung India’s recovery steps or Samsung Korea’s remote reset guidance.
Google Find Hub erase
Google says remote erasure requires the phone to have power, be online over Wi-Fi or mobile data, be signed in to a Google Account, have Find Hub enabled, and be visible on Google Play. If those conditions are not met, remote erasure may not be available. Google’s general advice for an Android phone that cannot be unlocked is to erase it and set it up again: Google Android Help.
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Reset with the phone’s buttons only after checking account access
Samsung’s button-based reset steps vary by Galaxy model. Some model examples in Samsung UK’s guidance require connecting the phone to a computer by USB before opening recovery, so a universal button sequence would be unreliable. Find the instructions for your exact model and country on Samsung UK’s reset page or the relevant local Samsung support site. Google also directs users to the manufacturer for button-reset instructions.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A reset permanently deletes data stored locally on the phone. Samsung warns that Google Factory Reset Protection may then ask for the Google account previously used on the device. If you cannot recall that account’s password, recover it before resetting. Samsung UK notes that after a Google password reset, it may take time before the new password can be used to set up the phone.
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Understand what you can restore afterward
A reset cannot recover photos or files that existed only on the handset. You may be able to restore backed-up data after setup, depending on what was backed up and whether you can access the account and backup credentials. Google says restored Google-account data may require the PIN or pattern that was in use when the backup was made. Samsung recommends backing up before a factory reset, but that is not possible from a locked phone unless a usable backup already exists elsewhere.
When to contact Samsung support
Contact Samsung support in your country if you cannot access the necessary account, cannot verify ownership, or suspect a hardware problem. Procedures differ by market. Samsung UK describes authorized service support with proof of purchase for some locked-device or Factory Reset Protection situations; Samsung Korea’s in-person process calls for government ID and ownership evidence. A service visit does not guarantee recovery of encrypted data stored only on the phone. Use the support route for your country and exact model: Samsung Korea support.
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Why Google’s “Forgot pattern” advice may not fit a current Galaxy
Google’s account-based “Forgot pattern” instructions apply to Android 4.4 or lower. They are not a general unlock method for modern Galaxy phones. For current Android devices, Google’s documented guidance is to erase a phone that cannot be unlocked, then set it up again.
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