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To stop a Galaxy phone asking for a SIM PIN at startup, turn off Lock SIM card in Settings and confirm with the SIM’s current PIN. On recent models, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > More SIM settings > SIM card security. Samsung notes that menu names and paths can vary by model and software version.
Turn off the SIM PIN prompt on a recent Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections, then SIM manager.
- Tap More SIM settings, then SIM card security.
- Switch off Lock SIM card.
- Enter the SIM’s existing PIN and confirm.
The change stops the SIM PIN prompt when the phone starts. You can turn the lock back on later and confirm with the PIN. Samsung’s current Galaxy guide notes that labels and steps can differ by device and software version. If you do not see the listed path, search Settings for “SIM.”
Find the setting on older Samsung menus
Depending on the model and software, the SIM lock setting may appear under a security menu instead of SIM Manager. Samsung lists these older examples:
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- Biometrics and security > Other security settings > Set up SIM card lock
- Security and privacy > Other security settings > Set up SIM card lock
- Security > SIM PIN options
Open the relevant menu, switch off Lock SIM card, and enter the current SIM PIN. These are menu variations, not guaranteed paths for every Galaxy. See Samsung’s UK instructions for examples.
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Know which code the phone is asking for
A SIM PIN and a phone screen-lock PIN are different credentials. The SIM PIN protects the SIM card and is generally supplied by the mobile provider; the screen-lock PIN or password protects access to the handset. Turning off the SIM lock does not change the phone’s screen lock. Samsung Germany explains that the SIM PIN is independent of the screen lock in its Galaxy support guide.
A network unlock code is different again: it relates to a carrier restriction on the handset, not the SIM PIN setting. Samsung UK says it does not lock its devices to a particular network; if a handset requests a network unlock code, contact the original provider or retailer.
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Decide whether to keep the SIM lock
Disabling the lock removes the SIM-level barrier that helps prevent someone from using the SIM in another mobile device. In exchange, you no longer have to enter its PIN at startup. Keep the lock enabled if that added protection matters to you; turn it off if you prefer the convenience and understand that trade-off. Samsung describes the SIM lock’s purpose in its UK support article.
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If you do not know the SIM PIN
Do not guess repeatedly. The default PIN depends on the mobile provider and region; Samsung UK notes that it may be printed on the SIM’s original packaging, but there is no single default that applies to every SIM. Contact your carrier to confirm the PIN or get recovery instructions.
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If the phone has reached a PUK prompt, stop entering guesses and contact the carrier for the correct PUK. Samsung Korea’s guidance says three incorrect SIM PIN entries lead to a PUK prompt, and ten incorrect PUK entries require SIM replacement through the carrier. Those thresholds are from Samsung Korea’s market-specific guidance; carrier and SIM procedures can vary elsewhere. See Samsung Korea’s instructions.
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