Lock and Unlock Samsung Galaxy S4

Each screen lock offers different levels of security. A swipe screen lock may be more convenient and easier to use but it offers no protection to your phone against unauthorized access. You can change your screen lock by following the procedures below:

1. 1
   Go to your phone's Home screen by pressing the Home button.

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2. 2
   Once you are on your Home screen, tap on the Menu key (lower-right soft key) to view Home screen options.

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3. 3
   From the list of options tap on Settings.

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4. 4
   Once you are on the settings, tap on the "My Device" tab.

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5. 5
   On the "My Device" tab, tap on "Lock Screen".

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6. 6
   From the "Lock Screen Page", tap on "Screen Lock".

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7. 7
   Depending on your current screen lock, enter the unlocking code.

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8. 8
   You will now be taken to the "Select Screen Lock" page where you can select the type of screen lock that you want

   .

   You can select among the seven screen lock types available with different security levels.

   • Swipe - allows you to lock your screen with a Swipe page. When locked, one would simply need to tap and hold the page to drag it off the screen. This action will unlock your phone and you will now have access to your phone. The problem is, this lock offers no security and anyone else with access to your phone, will also have access to the important data on your phone.
   • Face Unlock - allows you to lock your screen with a Face Lock. When locked, you need to position your face so the phone's front camera can scan it. Once your face is verified and matched, you will have access to your phone. This lock doesn't provide a high level of security, as someone who looks similar to you may be able to unlock your phone without your permission, allowing them access to the device and its data. More importantly, someone could hold a picture of you in front of the camera, and the phone will verify and match it, unlocking the phone.
   • Face and Voice - allows you to lock your screen with a Face Lock and a word spoken by you. When locked, you are required to have a face scan and speak the pass-code to unlock your phone. Like the Face Unlock, this option has a low level of security as someone can use your picture and imitate your voice to get into your device.
   • Pattern - allows you to lock your screen with a pattern lock. When locked, one needs to draw the correct set of patterns to gain access to your device. This locking pattern offers a medium level of security, as anyone may watch at your finger gestures while you are trying to unlock your Galaxy S4, and guess at the patterns.
   • PIN - allows you to lock your screen with a combination of digits called PIN. When locked, your phone requires that you enter a defined set of numbers to get into your S4. You can set a PIN of at least four to sixteen-digit combinations. This has a medium to high security level, depending on the number and combinations of the characters. A four-digit combination is never as secure as a PIN with more characters, especially if they are random, and not a birth date or telephone number.

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9. 9
   Password - allows you to lock your screen with a combination of digits and letters

   .

   When locked, your phone requires that you enter the correct combination of letters and numbers, before allowing access to the device. The letters are case-sensitive so you need to use the proper capitalization of each letter. This has a high level of security, as anyone even looking over your shoulder, wouldn't be able to catch all the characters your typing.

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10. 10
    None - allows you to remove any locks on your phone

    .

    Any person who can hold your phone will have access to the device and the important data and files on it.

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11. 11
    You have just learned how to change your device's Screen Lock

    .

    You can always change it anytime by following the procedures here. Remember, choose the type of lock that is convenient yet safe enough for you. If there is no confidential or private information on your phone, then you my choose lock options that offer low security. If you have classified information on your phone such as email accounts, phone numbers and financial information, choosing lock options with high security is advised.

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Help for using backup pin to unlock screen?

I set my phone to unlock with face and backup pin. I need help how to use this backup pin

The backup pin works as another way of entering the device when face unlock fails to recognize you. If you set up the phone with face unlock, the phone will also ask you to create a pin combination twice. If for some reason and you forgot about the pin, make sure that you do the following:

• Go to an area where the device can identify your face (good lighting and use the face you used to create the lock).

• Make sure that you are connected to the internet through data connection or WiFi. This way, if your account gets locked, you can reset the security option.

• Make sure you know your Gmail account and password.

If not, you will have to do a Hard Reset to be able to use your device again. Do the following:

• Turn off your device.

• Press the following:

Power button

Volume Up/Down or Both

Home button (if any)

or look for a reset button/hole (http://screencast.com/t/fzfGvTOTJlV)

• Release the Power button when you see the logo.

• Use Volume buttons to scroll and Power button to select.

• Choose Wipe Data/Factory Reset.

• Choose Yes--Delete all User Data.

• Choose Reboot now.

NOTE: This will delete all user data and apps, so backup files before performing this.

You can also watch this how-to video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT2CwF_GW0A

See more questions like this: The screen of my Galaxy S4 is broken, and I want to save my data to the PC (password required).

Why didn't my phone ask for an unlock code?

I am trying to switch my T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S4 over to Straight Talk. I put in the new SIM card, but it never asked for an unlock code. As such, it is still under T-Mobile towers, and I cannot text or call. How can I fix this manually?

T-Mobile states that you need to contact T-Mobile customer service to obtain both the unlocking code and steps to unlock your smartphone. Please remember that you can only request unlocking from T-Mobile if

• the device was active at least 40 days (monthly smartphones) or 1 year (prepaid) on T-Mobile .
  • If the prepaid S4 has been active for less, then you must have had topped up the smartphone for at least $100.
• Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) instalments have been paid in full (monthly smartphones);
• for "under a service" contract term, 18 monthly payments must have been made (monthly smartphones);
• there is a "Simple Choice" no-contract-rate plan (monthly smartphones).

How can I reset a Samsung Galaxy light when I cannot remember the password lock? Is there a master setting I can disable the password feature?

The phone is locked so I cannot access it at the moment

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Just got a new S4 and put a pass-code on it, now I want to remove it so I don't have to keep entering the code to open my phone. Thanks!

Just got a new S4 and put a pass-code on it, now I want to remove it so I don't have to keep entering the code to open my phone. Thanks!

Working with a new Smartphone can be a bit confusing. In the following steps, we'll show you how to change the screen lock of your Galaxy S4:

1. 1
   Press your Home screen button.

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2. 2
   Now touch the 'Menu' button.

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3. 3
   Tap on 'Settings' from the menu.

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4. 4
   Select the 'My Device' tab.

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5. 5
   Tap on the 'Lock Screen' option.

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6. 6
   Now click on 'Screen Lock'.

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7. 7
   Enter your pin code.

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8. 8
   Now you can choose other types of screen lock.

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9. 9
   Once you select your preferred option, enter the new lock.

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10. 10
    Now your screen lock has been changed.

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11. 11
    Make sure to remember your screen lock, and always register your phone with Google so you can recover your password if you later forget it.

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In order to learn more about each lock and their features, you should read the main article, by clicking on the title of this page or the link below the article summary.

When I make a call, a pic of a lock appears and I have to continually tap the lock in order to continue. How do I get rid of this lock?

How to get rid of lock that keeps appearing when I am on a call

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If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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