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To set a password on a current Samsung Galaxy phone, open Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Screen lock type, choose Password, and follow the prompts. Samsung uses “password” for one specific screen-lock option; a PIN and a pattern are different choices. Menu names can vary by model and software version.
Set a password on your Samsung phone
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Open Settings.
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Tap Lock screen and AOD, then Screen lock type. On some devices or software versions, the menu may have a different name or location.
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Choose Password.
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Enter the password you want to use and follow the prompts to confirm it. Tap OK or Done if prompted.
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Choose a password you can remember and do not share it. Keep in mind that forgetting a screen-lock credential can make recovery difficult and may require erasing the phone.
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- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Choose the screen lock that fits your needs
Samsung offers several screen-lock choices. The right one depends on whether you want a literal password, a faster numeric or drawn credential, or an additional unlock convenience.
| Option | What it is | Practical consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Password | An alphanumeric credential | Use this if you specifically want a password rather than a PIN or pattern. |
| PIN | A numeric credential | Uses numbers rather than letters and symbols. Samsung says a PIN of six or more digits can be confirmed without tapping OK, if that option is available. |
| Pattern | A path drawn across the screen | Uses a drawn gesture rather than typed characters. |
| Fingerprint or face recognition | Biometric unlock methods available on supported devices | These are convenience methods, not a replacement for setting an underlying PIN, pattern, or password. |
| Swipe or None | Screen access without a credential-based lock | Neither requires a password, PIN, or pattern to unlock the screen. |
Samsung states that face recognition is less secure than Pattern, PIN, Iris, or Fingerprint, and may ask you to enter your screen-lock credential again. For its face-recognition guidance, Samsung says the phone may request that credential at least once every 24 hours, after four hours without use, or after a restart; behavior varies by device and software. See Samsung’s face-recognition guidance.
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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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Adjust when the phone locks and what appears on screen
Set automatic locking and other secure-lock options
After setting a credential, go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Secure lock settings. Authenticate with your current screen-lock credential to change the controls. Depending on your model and software, you may be able to choose how soon the phone locks after the display turns off, lock immediately when you press the side button, or control whether a pattern remains visible as you draw it. Samsung’s screen-lock instructions describe the available options, which can vary.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSome devices offer an automatic factory-reset option after repeated failed unlock attempts. A factory reset can erase the phone’s data, so do not enable this setting casually.
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- 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
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Review lock-screen notifications and contact information
Notification visibility is separate from the screen-lock credential. Samsung’s newer lock-screen guidance lets you choose how much notification detail appears while the phone is locked; review Samsung’s lock-screen feature instructions for the controls available on your device.
You can also add contact information to the lock screen to help someone return a lost phone. Anyone who can see the locked screen can read that information, so include only details you are comfortable making public.
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- 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.
Keep Secure Folder separate from the phone’s screen lock
Secure Folder is a separate protected area with its own lock settings. On supported devices, its lock can use a PIN, password, pattern, or fingerprint. If you want the option to reset a forgotten Secure Folder credential through your Samsung account, enable Reset with Samsung account during setup. Samsung says access may not be recoverable if that option was not enabled. See Samsung’s Secure Folder instructions.
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If you forget your screen-lock password
Do not assume a forgotten screen credential can always be recovered without losing data. Samsung’s troubleshooting guidance covers account checks and reset routes; a factory reset erases the device, and account verification may be required afterward. Consult Samsung’s Galaxy lockout troubleshooting page for your device before attempting a reset.
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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
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
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- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
If a cracked touchscreen prevents you from navigating the phone, Samsung describes connecting a USB mouse and keyboard through an adapter as a possible workaround. This applies to damaged-screen troubleshooting, not ordinary password setup.
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