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If you forgot your Samsung Secure Folder PIN, you can reset it only if Reset with Samsung account was enabled before you lost access. If that option was off, Samsung says access cannot be recovered through its documented process. A backup or supported transfer may restore data in specific circumstances, but neither is a way to bypass the folder’s lock.
First, check whether Samsung account reset is available
Open Secure Folder and enter an incorrect PIN, pattern, or password. If the Forgot and Reset options appear, follow the prompts, sign in with the Samsung account associated with the folder, and set a new credential. Samsung says this reset flow is available only if Reset with Samsung account was turned on in advance. See Samsung’s Secure Folder guidance.
If the reset option does not appear, Samsung’s guidance does not describe another way to unlock the folder when account reset was not enabled. Stop before uninstalling Secure Folder if you need to preserve its contents: removing it deletes the folder and its data rather than recovering them.
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What to do if the reset option is missing
There is no documented workaround for a forgotten credential when the account-reset setting was disabled. Avoid repeated guessing, unofficial unlock tools, rooting, or factory-reset instructions presented as recovery methods; they do not provide a supported way to retrieve the protected files and may put data at risk.
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Samsung Colombia’s guidance says an uninstall option appears after 14 failed PIN or pattern attempts on Android 14 or later, or after 20 attempts on Android 13 and earlier. Those thresholds are from regional guidance updated October 6, 2026; they should not be assumed to apply identically to every device, market, or software build. Uninstalling remains destructive and does not recover the folder’s contents. Read Samsung Colombia’s instructions before taking any action, and do not use the attempt count as a recovery strategy.
Check for an older backup—but distinguish restore from unlock
A backup can help only if it exists and includes the data you need. Samsung’s current US Secure Folder instructions say new Secure Folder backups are no longer supported, while data from previous backups may still be restorable. If Secure Folder offers Restore from backup and you have a usable prior backup, sign in and follow that option. Samsung’s general Samsung Cloud restore guidance applies to backed-up data; it does not establish that a new Secure Folder backup can now be created.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Restoring a backup is not the same as opening the locked copy on your current device. Do not assume a general device backup contains Secure Folder files unless Samsung’s restore flow shows a relevant backup.
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Samsung says Secure Folder data can be transferred to a new device using Smart Switch in supported circumstances. This is a device-migration option, not a forgotten-PIN reset. It depends on the source and destination devices and a supported transfer; it is not a way to extract data from a Secure Folder that you cannot access. Check Samsung’s Smart Switch guidance for the applicable device instructions.
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When you regain access, move out important files
Once the folder is accessible, select the files you want to keep elsewhere and use Secure Folder’s Move out of Secure Folder action. You can then copy them to a supported location, such as another device or compatible external storage. Samsung’s Secure Folder instructions cover moving files, and its USB OTG guidance explains external storage use on compatible devices.
A USB-C OTG flash drive can hold a separate copy after files are accessible, but it cannot unlock Secure Folder or retrieve files that remain locked inside it. Confirm OTG compatibility for your Galaxy model before relying on external storage.
Quick Recap
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
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Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Choose the next step by your situation
- Forgot and Reset appear: use the Samsung account linked to Secure Folder and set a new credential.
- The reset option is missing: preserve the device and contents; Samsung does not document an unlock route if account reset was not enabled.
- You know of a prior Secure Folder backup: check for Restore from backup and restore only if a usable backup is available.
- You are changing devices: check Smart Switch compatibility, but treat it as migration rather than lock recovery.
- You can access the files again: move chosen files out and make a separate copy in a supported location.
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