Galaxy S6 Guide

Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen

how to use Galaxy S6 lock screen and Galaxy S6 edge lock screen

Table of Contents hide
1) What’s Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen?
2) How to access, lock and unlock Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen
3) How to set Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen security
3.1) Pattern
3.2) PIN
3.3) Password
3.4) Fingerprint
4) How to use smart lock for Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen
5) What can I do if I forget Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprints are not recognized?
6) If your Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen does not lock the screen, and screen security rolls back to swipe, here is the solution.
6.1) Step 1: Go to Settings—Lock screen and security as shown below
6.2) Step 2: Tap Secure Lock settings as shown below.
6.3) Step 3: Tap Lock automatically.
6.4) Step 4: Choose the timing.
6.5) Do you know how to use Samsung galaxy S6 lock screen? Do you have problems to unlock Galaxy S6 lock screen?

samsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_1What’s Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen?

Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen protects your S6 from unintended access and actions, when the screen is not off.

If you set pattern, PIN, password or fingerprints to unlock the phone, Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen can also protect your phone from unauthorized access.

From Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen, by default, without unlocking the phone, you can:

  • check time/data;
  • check weather info;
  • access camera;
  • make emergent calls;
  • preview notifications;
  • check pedometer readings.

To access more features of the phone or use apps (except Camera), you need unlock the phone.

Please note, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge have identical lock screen, so this guide also applies to Samsung Galaxy S6 edge lock screen. For the edge screen in Galaxy S6 edge, please check this guide.

How to access, lock and unlock Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen

By default, you can press the Galaxy S6 Power button to turn off the screen and lock the phone.

Also, if Galaxy S6 is not used for a specified period (screen timeout),  the Galaxy S6 screen turns off  automatically and Galaxy S6 will be locked later after another specified period (set under Settings—Lock screen —lock automatically).

When Galaxy S6 is locked, you will get the Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen whenever the screen is on.  The Galaxy S6 screen may be turned on when:

To unlock Galaxy S6 lock screen, by default,  when the screen is on, you can swipe in any direction (if swipe is set as lock screen security) as shown below.

samsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_2_swipe_to_unlock

How to set Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen security

Samsung Galaxy S6 allows you to change the way that you lock the screen to prevent others from accessing your personal information or using the phone without your consent.

To set Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen security,  go to  Settings— Lock screen and security — Screen lock type, and then select a screen lock method mentioned below.

After setting Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen security (lock type),  you must use the lock type (pattern, PIN, password, fingerprint) you specified to unlock the phone. Some lock types may accept alternative methods.

You can choose from the following lock types for Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen security.

Pattern

Draw a pattern by connecting four dots or more, and then draw the pattern again to verify it.

Set a backup PIN to unlock the screen when you forget the pattern.

PIN

A PIN consists of numbers only.

Enter at least four numbers, and then enter the PIN again to verify it.

Password

A password consists of characters and numbers.

Enter at least four characters including numbers and symbols, and then enter the password again to verify it.

Fingerprint

Register your fingerprints to unlock the screen. The fingerprint sensor is located in the Home button which is located below the screen. Please check this page for Galaxy S6 layout, and this page for Galaxy S6 edge layout.

You need register your fingerprint first. When registering fingerprint, you will be asked to setup an alternative password (or backup password).

How to use smart lock for Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen

Android Lollipop smart lock is fully supported in Samsung Galaxy S6.  You can unlock Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen with:

  • trusted devices, e.g., a Bluetooth device or a NFC device.
  • trusted locations, e.g., home, or office.
  • trusted voice.
  • your face (Galaxy S6 or S6 edge does not face unlock).

Please read this guide on how to use smart lock for Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen.

What can I do if I forget Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprints are not recognized?

Update: Android Device Manager does not offer screen lock reset any more. This means you cannot unlock Galaxy S6 or S6 edge with Android Device Manager.  I am not sure whether or when Google will bring back this most useful feature of Android Device Manager.

The current solution is to use Samsung Find My Mobile, which is enabled in your Galaxy S6 or S6 edge by default already, if you have a Samsung account.  Find My Mobile allows you to unlock the screen lock from a web browser. You can then set a new screen lock if you want. 

Please follow this detailed guide on how to unlock your Galaxy S6 lock screen with Samsung Find My Mobile, if your password or fingerprint is not recognized. 

If you forget the lock pattern, you can use the backup PIN. If you forget this PIN either, you can use your Google account to unlock Galaxy S6. Please read on.

If fingerprints are not recognized or accepted in Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen, you can use the alternative password. If you forget this alternative password as well, you can still use your Google account to unlock Galaxy S6. Please read on.

Anyway, if you have no way to unlock Galaxy S6 with pattern, PIN, password, fingerprints or backup PIN/password, you can try to unlock Galaxy S6 with your Google account from your PC or from another mobile device.

In your PC, just Google Android Device Manager, or access the URL directly: https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager

Then log in with your Google account password and follow the instructions to “set lock” (it is a bit confusing, it is actually reset the lock) for your device.

You can also download the Android Device Manager app and reset the screen lock for your devices.

If your Samsung Galaxy S6 lock screen does not lock the screen, and screen security rolls back to swipe, here is the solution.

Some Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge reported this issue: even you set the lock screens security as pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprints, the setting switches back to swipe automatically. I can reproduce it in Galaxy S6, but not on Galaxy S6 edge.

The solution is that you have to visit the Settings — Secure lock settings — Lock automatically once. Ryan also reported the similar solution.

Here are the detailed steps.

Step 1: Go to Settings—Lock screen and security as shown below

Step 2: Tap Secure Lock settings as shown below.

samsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_10_settings samsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_12_secure_lock_settings

Step 3: Tap Lock automatically.

Step 4: Choose the timing.

The default is 5 seconds. This means Galaxy S6 locks the phone 5 seconds after the screen is off. You can set screen timeout in Settings—Display —Screen timeout.

This step is actually not necessary. But you need open this page. Then tap the back button.

samsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_11_lock_automaticallysamsung_galaxy_s6_lock_screen_13_lock_automatically_settings

Do you know how to use Samsung galaxy S6 lock screen? Do you have problems to unlock Galaxy S6 lock screen?

If you have any questions on using Samsung galaxy S6 lock screen, or if you have problems to unlock Samsung galaxy S6 lock screen, please let us know your problems in the comment box below.

The community will try to help you.

For other features of Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 online manual page.

For detailed guides on how to use Samsung Galaxy S6, please check Galaxy S6 how-to guides page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Garrett Moretton says

    Hello, I just got the device today and have been changing the various default settings. I’ve had some trouble with the lock screen option. When I set the lock screen type to “None” the home screen turns on without the lock screen. Whenever I try to use any other type such as Pattern, Pin, Password, or Fingerprints, no matter which I choose, the lock screen type is always Swipe. I tried resetting my phone on the fingerprint setting, and upon it starting up, prompted the fingerprint lock screen. After successfully using it that first time, I turned off the screen and turned it on again to find the swipe lock screen once again. My settings seem to be stuck on swipe despite the lock screen type displaying whichever I choose. Currently I am trying to use fingerprint, but am having no luck escaping the swipe lock screen.

    Reply

  2. nitesh says

    after setting the finger print lock, the lock system works only when the phone has been restarted. if i just lock the screen by pressing the button the right edge and then when i want to use my phone the screen lock doesnt work through fingerprint. it just unlocks through a swipe..

    Reply

  5. brendan says

    I ran into the same issue with the phone shortly after the fingerprint scanner was working. Then it dawned on me that it started doing that after i synced my phone to my bluetooth speaker. The phone asked me if it was a trusted device and i confirmed that it was. In the security settings it says that if the phone is near a trusted device it wont lock. I made the device un trusted and the phone requires my fingerprint again. Hope that hepls.

    Reply

  6. Pav Solane says

    Just picked up the S6 today. Fingerprint scanner does not recognize the fingerprint and will not recognize the backup password. I am able to access the phone through my Gmail account. The scanner worked initially but stopped. Any thoughts?

    Reply

  8. Janice Hobbs says

    I have re-added my fingerprints in settings time and again but it won’t recognise it 7 out of 8 times. If it recognises it I keep the finger in the same position but lifted slightly, turn screen off then on,,,,,then it won’t recognise a second time, it’s ridiculous.

    Reply

  9. Tink says

    I recently purchased the s6 edge, how do I get the s health (pedometer readings/counter) to appear on the lock screen (when a password is required to unlock phone) Thanks for any help.
    The s5 it was under security .. then additional information. only option on the s6 is weather, clock , and owner info.

    Reply

  10. Bethany says

    My son forgot his pin to unlock his phone and now we can not get into it to do anyhing. I have tried going to the google acount manager and if I do it from my phone it will lock his hone and can not put any pin in but it will not unlock the phone or change the pin to be able to unlock it. Does anybody have any other suggestions so we do not have to do a factory reset?

    Reply

  11. Flik says

    I have the s6 and for some reason I have an unwanted photo on my screen when I first switch phone on
    Must have happened when I transferred my data from old phone.can anyone tell me how to delete it

    Reply

  12. Dirk Peady says

    I’m having trouble with my device. My lock screen is telling me to “Enter your backup password” and I have no clue as to what it is. Now i have tried using the google device manager and resetting a new password. Now it will tell me “A screen lock has been sent to your phone”. Shortly followed by another message saying “Since you have already a lock screen set you won’t need this password”. So my issue here is I have no way to reset it and don’t want to factory reset due to invaluable photos.

    Reply

  13. Mike says

    Just received new S6. Is it possible to customize the lock screen with a personal message? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  14. K says

    Any way to enable both fingerprint lock and pattern/pin? My wife’s iphone can have both at the same time so was hoping for the same.

    Reply

  15. milly says

    i having a problem with my s6 i will try and put my print but then the screen locks in like a second before i can even try to use my print, the phone is working fine besides that every time i try to use my print or pin it only gives me like 2 seconds to do so or it will lock again

    Reply

  16. Jeff Aylstock says

    Heres an intersting one. I have many trusted devices listed, all my bluetooth devices as well as my home address, and with my galaxy s6 i am still required to enter my fingerprint to unlock my phone no matter what timeout values i place on it. if i go to pin mode it seems to work the way i was used to seeing it on my old moto x, so why does the fingerprint reader get in the way soo much. i should just be able to click on a button and see my home screen when a trusted device is near.

    Reply

  18. Tiffany says

    I’m locked out of my phone after downloading the update on the s6. My fingerprint scanner doesn’t recognize my prints then I type in my backup password and says it’s wrong.I don’t want to factory reset due to everything on my phone.. I even tried the android device manager.. What should I do?

    Reply

  19. Mark says

    I had the same issue. Fingerprint scanner suddenly stopped working, I forgot my backup password. Tried to unlock via google account but it is not accepting my google login (which is correct because I logged into android device manager OK as per next step).

    Logged into device manager, reset lock password, it sent a lock screen to the phone but no option to enter password and the screen can be bypassed by just pressing the home button. Tried entering the password I set in device manager, into the “enter backup password” screen and won’t accept. I’m stumped!

    I’m more confused as to why it will not accept my Google account details for unlock?

    Reply

  20. Mark says

    There are no onscreen instructions. The lock message (that I set in Android device manager) shows up, but then no option to enter a pin or code. Pressing back key just takes me to the usual unlock screen asking for the backup password. Entered the code 12345 that I set in Android device manager and it doesn’t work.

    I know that the backup password is not my Google password. After trying 15 times with backup password I clicked “Unlock with Google Account” and it prompts for email address and password. The Google account details were not accepted there, even though they are correct otherwise I wouldnt be able to get into Android device manager.

    In the end I managed to find the backup password by trying every single password I may have chosen.

    Summary: Android Device Manager can push an onscreen message to the device, but it can’t set an unlock code. that option simply doesn’t work.

    Reply

  22. Rami says

    Hi all,

    I set a PIN code on my S6 as a security measure, and set it to automatically lock the phone in 10 minutes, and disabled locking when the power button is pressed.

    Everything works as expected, but i would like to change one thing: Assuming that the screen is off, and 10 minutes have not passed yet: I want to be asked to swipe the lock screen before being allowed to use the phone when i press the power button or the home button.

    This is to prevent accidentally pressing either buttons while the phone is in my pocket and ending up messing my phone up.

    The other day this happened, and my phone ended up redialing the last call i made while it was in my pocket!

    The HTC M8 that i had prior to this phone required a swipe. Is there a way to do this on the S6? I’m OK with 3rd party apps/tools.

    Reply

  23. Chris says

    On the subject of locks, I wish when using smart lock, or before the timeout lock period, when pressing the power or home button the screen would just open without having to swipe unlock first. Since I can open the phone when locked with just my fingerprint, it’s an extra step to watch out for if it isn’t locked yet to get to the home screen.

    Reply

  24. Rami says

    Actually, HTC does behave exactly the way that I described. see this short video: https://youtu.be/uYsiUJx6qc4.

    I use my phone for work with Mobile@Work, and our IT allows only for PINs (not fingerprints) with a maximum of 10 mins lock time.

    Instantly locking with power button is therefore a big hassle because a lot of times i turn on and turn off my phone several times within 10 mins.

    In my opinion, this simple extra swipe completely eliminates the possibility of mess-ups due to accidental wakeups, and is more convenient than entering your passcode or PIN every time you want to use your phone.

    I agree that some people may not want that, but others like me would.

    Reply

  25. Rami says

    Hi Chris, thanks for letting me know that the video was set to private. I changed it to unlisted now, so you should be able to see it. Are you sure your S6 Edge is working exactly like how my HTC M8 is in this video?

    Reply

  26. Chris says

    Actually no, it’s working how I think you want it to be working. Just made a video (terrible quality from my cheap tablet), but it shows what I mean, as it’s a little hard to word properly I think. Let me know what you think! I just got rid of an HTC One Mini (terrible phone because of the downgraded hardware), but I didn’t use a lock screen on that one for a while, so I can’t really remember if there was a difference.

    https://youtu.be/AJKKHEZSruA

    Reply

    • Rami says

      Hey Chris, this is exactly how i want mine to work! how come this is happening on your phone but not mine…would you mind sharing your exact settings with me? thanks in advance

      Reply

  27. Kurt “Lex” Poulos says

    I have just spent, well wasted an hour trying to set this up on my EDGE. I tried other devices, my Zen watch, JBL flip and my pc. None worked to activate the “smartlock” feature. So I tried using a location to the same results. I tried to do this on my G3 and Google play services crashed, every time.To be honest this feature worked perfectly on my G3 when it was on Jellybean and now it doesn’t work at all

    Reply

  28. Natascha says

    hi hope you can assist, My screen is logged and the phone don’t pick up if I swipe the screen to unlock. Is there any why to reset phone because you cant take the battery out or anything if you push the button on the right the power off, restart ext comes up but the device don’t pick up anything if I press on the screen

    Reply

  29. Joel says

    Hi. i got my S6 when it came out and i have a problem with it. when my phone is locked and display is off, the display turns on but no notifications are there and it won’t automatically screen timeout. i went to samsung and they replaced it because they didnt know the problem as well. when i got home and set it up it did the exact same thing. can anyone please help me? this drains my battery when im sleeping because the display won’t turn off. PLEASE HELP ME 🙁

    Reply

  31. pastorphilk says

    I have a random issue that maybe someone can help explain. When I first got my S6 and set up the fingerprint scanner is was simple I would click on the center button and then put my finger on the scanner and my phone would unlock. Then later on when I would click on the button the phone would wake, but would require me to swipe my lock screen BEFORE I could open it with my fingerprint. This is extremely annoying because it takes more steps. Does anyone know why this happens sometimes and how to fix it?

    Also, my trusted locations is worthless and not working. But it sounds like that is a common issue and some issue Google has to get figured out.

    Thanks for the help

    Reply

  32. noureen says

    So I just got my s6 on Wednesday. And I tried used the finger lock on Friday and once I did it I locked my phone and it opened with my print then all of a sudden I couldn’t touch anything on the screen it wasn’t recognizing any touch. Then I locked the phone and tried using finger print again and then after many tries it wasn’t working and asked for password I couldn’t even punch that in cos of the phone. anyone else have a problem like that? Also I tried turning off the phone but then when u press the side button it pops up on the screen and once again I couldn’t press it. So I waited for it to die and now it’s working all of a sudden… should I be worried… or I just used this phone and don’t use the finger print anymore?

    Reply

  33. Neal says

    I am on a sim only so buy my handsets. Bit of a Samsung freak so by sim free handsets when they come out. Coming from a Note 4 to an S6 Edge, i had a personal message on my Note 4 but can’t seem to find this feature on the S6. I can find owner information which isn’t really any good as you can’t alter font. Is personal message not available on S6 Edge??

    Reply

  35. Candace Lynett says

    I haven’t set up any sort of extra locking to my screen, but when I try to swipe to unlock, it won’t do anything. It just stays locked. Same thing when I try to answer my phone. It is not allowing me to answer. Pretty basically I can’t access my phone AT ALL!!

    HELP WHAT DO I DO!!!

    Reply

  37. MLW says

    Does anyone know how to get the alarm icon off my status bar? I have no active alarms whatsoever and can’t figure it out.

    Reply

  38. MLW says

    Yes i have checked the clock app and rebooted a few times. I do not set alarms in calendar either, went through and check all of them, but the icon is still there.

    Reply

  39. Kara says

    My S6 security did a complete security failure tonight as in it will not let me in. Grr, well, reset to see if that fixes things … nope.

    Recognize my fingerprints? Nope.

    Recognize my spouse’s fingerprints I have as a backup? Nope.

    Recognize my backup password? Nope.

    Go to google, change my s6’s password and try again.Nope.

    Eventually I was asked to use my google credentials. A royal pain on that keyboard but ok … and I got in. I immediately went to my security settings and changed the password. Which it then refused to recognize. What is worse, I can not even get to that google login option again to just remove security completely. I am completely out of ideas at this point. The security on the s6 sucks raw eggs if I can not count on it to actually let me in when I need to do so.

    Reply

  40. Alex says

    Hi!

    I’m trying to set up at NONE the screen lock type but the s6 doesn’t allow me saying “didabled by administrator” . How can I switch off completely any security and just unlock my s6 pressing home or on/off button and swipe?

    Thanks

    Reply

  41. Alex says

    Haha.. I see!… You are correct! Then if I have an exchange account I cannot disable the password! Actually I cannot select none, swipe and pattern but just pin, password and fingerprint.. Well, thanks a lot Simon!

    Have a nice day

    Reply

  42. jess says

    Hi I have an s6 with the three in touch app installed. When on lock screen this app is always there like a notification. It just won’t go. Is there anyway to get rid of it? my phone is on 3. Thanks in advance

    Reply

  43. Melidsa says

    Hi! I set my fingerprint and also backup password… Later on my phone couldn’t recognize my fingerprint and forced me to use backup pin.. However… It said my backup pin is wrong… I kept trying and later on they refused to read my fingerprint but only allowing me to key in backup pin…

    I used your method to log in my google account and reset the password through Android manager.. Then I restarted my s6 and try to key in the newly set password under the backup pin screen… It still didn’t work…

    What should I do? I dont wanna matter reset my phone as the phone has some very meaningful photos.. Please help.. Thx!!

    Melissa

    Reply

  44. CE says

    I set up a PIN on my phone during a trip. However, my phone won’t allow me to change it back to swipe now that I’m home. It says “turned off by administrator, encryption policy, or credential storage” but I can’t find any of these things turned on. How do I fix this?

    Reply

  46. LSL says

    I got my Samsung S6 Edge. I set the screen timeout as 15 seconds and lock screen as IMMEDIATELY. However, when the screen has dimmed, the screen does not lock itself. This is the same for my friend’s Samsung S6.

    Reply

  47. Kara says

    As to one drive … it saves a ton of reconfiguration work but not all. While your apps will redownload their setting will gave gone bye-bye. Fortunately I did not yet have any completely nonrecoverable stuff yet that I could not afford to lose, like critical texts.

    Reply

  48. Corn says

    Is there any way to turn off the notifications on the lock screen? Or choose which ones appear and don’t appear?

    Reply

  49. Derek says

    I’ve been changing the screen lock type to find which one I like the best. I currently have it on pin and went to change it to Pattern but the option is greyed out and says “turned off by administrator, encryption policy or credential storage.” How can I change it so I can do the pattern?

    Reply

  50. B. Olson says

    I had just gotten the Galaxy S6 Edge (I don’t know if this question will be answerable or not due to the S6 and the Edge being almost similar, yet still different).
    The first few days, all of my notifications showed up on my lock screen and lit up the phone. Now, everything but my messages actually light up the lock screen when received. I would really like my phone to light up (the whole screen) when I receive a message. Is this solely because of the Edge lighting for messages, or is there something I’m missing in the settings?
    Any input would be great, thanks!

    Reply

  51. Ali says

    Hey Simon, I set my phone on finger print lock, but now I can not see the swipe option working anymore, the options left are only pattern and password. Under the swipe option it says, disabled by administrator, encryption policy or credential storage. How can I go back to swipe without resetting the device, could you please help?

    Reply

  52. Brett says

    I have somehow lost my ability to use my fingerprint scanner to unlock my S6 Edge. The only option showing up for the Screen Lock Type is password, and when the lock screen comes up, the keypad automatically appears and requires me to type in the password. Help!

    Reply

  53. Vera says

    Already tried to check the settings on Safe Mode the other day, but to no avail.

    Moments ago though, I finally figured out how to fix it. Apparently, there’s a separate Screen Lock setting if you go to Lock Booster. So from there, I selected None as the setting. Now, I only have to use my fingerprint (which I registered through the General Setting) to activate my phone.

    Odd.. I believe it should not work that way though…

    Anyway, thanks for the help!

    Reply

  54. Jessica says

    My Samsung S6 just locked me. Stopped recognizing my fingerprint. I was able to unlock it with my google account and then I set a pin. My phone went to sleep. I tried to unlock it with the pin I JUST SET and have not forgotten, and it says its incorrect. Now I am completely locked out of my phone, and I can’t unlock it via the Find My Mobile because apparently it was not set up. Is there any way to get back into my phone without a reset? I just finally had it all set up.

    Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

    Reply

  56. monica says

    Hey my screen suddenly stopped working and i cant turn off my phone or restart it it has a lock on it what can i do ?

    Reply

  58. Sarah says

    Please can anyone help – I bought an S6 last week and yesterday my screen locked on me. I am still unable to swipe, enter my pin no, answer calls or even power off. I took the SIM card out and re-inserted it to see if it would help, and now I just have a message saying I need to re-start my phone. As I mentioned, the phone does not register any touch screen commands so cannot….. I live an hour away from the store where I got the phone… please can someone help?

    Reply

  59. Deb says

    Anyone have any idea how to get your locked screen to show you that you have messages or notification have tried the show all in notifications but still not working. When my phone is locked the sound works to let me know I have one but if I am not around when it goes off I do not know. nothing shows 🙁

    Reply

  62. Robert Black says

    Help! My S6 edge is stuck on the black lock screen. I’ve tried pushing and hold in all buttons, Charging and plugging in earphones. My indicator is blinking blue and the time on the edge is stuck at 8:47am. It is now 12:00pm. ????

    Reply

  63. Victor says

    How to change all screens color to 1 color (black as example)?

    Create 1 pixel black color JPEG file, transfer it to Samsung galaxy S6,
    open it in Galery and press More (in right upper corner)->Set as wallpaper->Home and lock screens.

    Reply

  64. Ivo Roilev says

    Is there a way to keep unlocking with the Home button (fingerprint reader) when there is trusted device connected? Just skip the fingerprint check (it fails most of the times anyway)? Now sometimes I have to swipe, sometimes (when the watch is disconnected) the phone unlocks automatically (if it accepts my fingerprint, anyway)

    Reply

  65. cuadonte says

    I can’t unlock my phone using the fingerprint scanner unless I first press the power button. It has to be automatic doesn’t it? I mean, if the fingerprint unlock is active, I do not have to press the power button or the home key first, in order to unlock the phone, is that right? Please, help me.

    Reply

  66. Kara says

    BTW, am I the only one who had this happen to me today when google updated itself? The worst possible time not to be able to answer my phone too. I was able to fix it by rebooting it and failing my password 5 times to enter my gmail credentials.

    Reply

  67. vatsan says

    Why is smart lock disabled on my Samsung S6 Edge? I’ve enabled Smart Lock and see the option but can’t select it, it’s grayed out. I did see the feature a few days ago and recollect setting it up to smart lock including the on body detection. Is some other setting of mine interfering perhaps? I unlock using fingerprints and have an Exchange account setup.

    Reply

  68. Funnie Says says

    My samsung galaxy s6 turns off when i lock the screen and I have to start it all over again. This happens everytime i lock it..even at night so I can’t put an alarm on my phone beacuse the phone turns off when i’m asleep and also when it’s charging. I have ”look the phone immediately when you press the lock button” off.. And also 30 minuts to lock it, but after 45 minuts the phone entirely shouts off.. Whats wrong with my phone?? Is it a system failures? If it’s the reason sould I go to the store who sold me the phone? Our is there anything I can do in settings? Appreciate your help in advance. Thanks!

    Reply

  69. Betty says

    Do you know how to permanently delete texts? I know how to delete them from my phone, but there’s a way to recover them and I want them completely gone. Is that possible?

    Reply

  70. Betty says

    There are apps you can download that will allow you to hook your phone up to your computer and recover deleted texts. I want them not to be recoverable at all.

    Reply

  71. Kara says

    Exactly, you can not delete data from the universe. The only thing you can do is make recovery of that data more trouble to obtain than the data is worth. A good example of this is safes: they are rated in how long it will take someone to break them.

    Reply

  72. Tyler says

    My s6 keeps opening the camera after I unlock it if I receive a notification. Does anyone know how to fix this?

    Reply

  73. Antonio says

    Hey I recently added my fingerprint unlock method and it works just fine but when I try to switch it back to swipe or none it’s grayed out and says turned off by administration or something like that

    Reply

  74. Kara says

    It is probably a setting with exchange. I had the lock screen issue at a really bad time after a google update so I was able to get to logging in with my google creds then set my security to swipe until later when I could work out the security problems.

    Reply

  75. Karen says

    I just bought a Galaxy S6 and have two questions:

    1. Lock Screen Timeout is too quick. I read the review above and I just went into settings, lock screen and security but there isn’t a “secure lock settings” options to change the lock screen time.

    2. When I go into my contacts, there is only one of each contact but then when I go into messages to type a text, there are at least four or five duplicates. How do I delete those duplicates.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  76. Jason Workman says

    Ok, I know how to use the lock screen, but my screen is locked to where i can’t swipe the screen at all. I have missed a couple of calls because I can’t swipe. I know the hold the side power button to get a screen to pop up to turn the phone off or restart, but I can’t even touch that as well. Does anyone know what’s going on? Please shoot me a message.

    Reply

  77. hawkeyefan17 says

    So i woke up this morning and my phone was on the charger all night like it always has been and i go to check the time and the screen doesn’t light up at all it still show i have messages with LED lights but when i press any buttons nothing happen, i have a galaxy S6 edge and its only a few weeks old and never has been dropped? please help, Thank you

    Reply

  78. Friendly says

    Hi
    I want to unlock my girlfriend galaxy S6. She has fingerprint lock and I can’t unlock the device. I didn’t know who is the backup password, but I know her google account. If I open the phone with google account, after that she has swipe lock screen. Is it possible to open the phone with google account and after that lock screen to be with fingerprint? Thank you

    Reply

  79. Ll says

    Just got Galaxy S6 I did not have a password when I left the Verizon store. Once home I used the phone for a few calls. As I plugged in to charge, now the phone is asking me for a password which I don’t have. Any ideas?

    Reply

  80. helloworld says

    hi! when ever i wake my phone, the swipe lock screen(with sos icon in centre) appears and after swiping my normal pattern lock screen appears. how do i disable the swipe screen?!

    Reply

  81. Helloworld says

    Hi shruti! It’s because of that appdaily app. There is an option to disable it. That app is ridiculous! It slows your phone. I recommend to uninstall it 🙂

    Reply

  82. Khadat says

    My s6 edge is locked using a PIN code. When I press the home button before entering my PIN, a message is displayed “your phone will operate in screenlock mode for X minutes”. What does this mean and how can I get rid of it?

    Reply

  83. zafar says

    i have a problem with S6,S6 connected with wifi and browsing also but not downloading and one other issue is Operator net it didnt connect with operator network please help me out….

    Regards

    Reply

  84. Fredrik says

    Hi, can you disable the help text that is showing on the lock screen? It´s annoying.. Thanks regards Fredrik

    Reply

  85. mohammed says

    Hi, so i woke up this morning and when i pressed the unlock button the screen did not unlock i tried calling it, nothing happened, how could i fix this?

    Reply

  86. Lynn Stone says

    My Galaxy s6 want show the weather on my lock screen or main screen anywhere. I do still get the daily weather report but I want it to show me like the clock does. How do I fix that.

    Reply

  87. Bree says

    My mom currently purchase the S6, she set the phone to unlock with the fingerprint. She keeps getting a pop up that it isnt working and to reboot her phone. Which we have done. She is tired of it, so when I went to change the lock setting to the swipe feature instead, it wouldnt let me change the setting to any of the other options. It appears they have been grayed out. Does anyone have an idea or resolution? We have reset her phone settings and this one is still refusing to change

    Reply

  88. Hamada Fares says

    Hi all
    Yesterday i placed my s6 edge on charge and i woke up in the morning i found it not working and the night clock was exactly on 2:13am and the minutes werent incresing what should i do to?????

    Reply

  90. George says

    I just received my Galaxy S6 Active. Love the phone. However, ran into a little problem. I switched my active key to Spotify. When the phone is locked my active key won’t lunch. I have checked all the settings, the active key is on to lunch on a locked screen but won’t. Is there a way to fix the problem i am having?

    Thanks an advance.

    Reply

  91. George says

    Yes, it does work. But that leaves my phone unsecured. If I leave the activity zone as the active key,it works on a locked screen. Is there no way to fix it and keep the screen locked.

    Reply

  92. Kiel says

    Everytime I unlock My S6 it takes me right to the phone dialing pad is there anyway I can change that so it just shows the background screen instead??

    Reply

  93. Adrian says

    I’ve locked myself out of my phone. I had the fingerprint lock on then got into the “Backup Password” thing after several tries. the thing is, I’m not sure about it. But I guess it’s 4 numbers right? I’ve tried what I remember but still didn’t work. Cannot use my Google Acct which is an option on my phone because the data is off as well as the wifi, and I can’t open them thru the drop down menu on top! OMG. I guess Im left with the only choice which is to factory reset it. 🙁

    Reply

  94. tom mcintosh says

    i just got the s6 active..i have searched everywhere for the fingerprint tab inside lock screen settings. its not there..any ideas?

    Reply

  95. Tilly says

    I was recently messing with the lock screen settings just to see how the finger print lock works but now i want to change it back to swipe how do i do this?

    Reply

  96. Chad says

    This setting on my S6 Edge is missing from my phone… anyone know where it is?

    ( Settings—Lock screen —lock automatically )

    if Galaxy S6 is not used for a specified period (screen timeout), the Galaxy S6 screen turns off automatically and Galaxy S6 will be locked later after another specified period (set underSettings—Lock screen —lock automatically).

    I dont have the described setting on my phone.

    Reply

  97. Loresgam says

    Hi! Im trying to get my lock screen to go to my “basic” or first screen in my smart launcher when unlocked. But i cant find the settings to do it and instead it goes back to the last used app… Anyone nows how to change it back?

    Reply

  99. Jeff Muetz says

    my choices are screen lock tyhpe, show information, and then unlock effect. then it skips to the security section. I don’t have the secure lock setting option. And it bugs me as I get a little over a second to swipe in.

    Reply

  100. Larry Morris says

    My wife has an S6 secured with a pin. The lock screen gets activated in her purse and the camera icon gets touched repeatedly draining battery. Is there any way to remove camera and emergency call icons on lock screens, they get to be a pain …

    Reply

  104. Jayme says

    I have set up an unlock code on my phone and now I want to remove it however the none or swipe option is greyed out and I cannot select them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!

    Reply

  105. Jalen says

    I just got the S6 Edge and set my lock to be my fingerprint, then I decided I didn’t want that anymore so I set it to pattern, not about a day later I got tired of that too and just want to go back to the basic swipe or no lock but my phone won’t let me stating it’s,

    “Been turned off by administrator, encryption policy, or credential storage.”

    I have not turned anything off…? Help?

    Reply

  106. Rebecca says

    I just got the Galaxy s6 a few days ago, and my lock screen is set to fingerprint. it has worked fine except that my phone does not light up when i get a notification. It is making me very angry and i have tried everything!

    Reply

  107. Mandi says

    I would use caution with the fingerprint unlock. Kids can play with the phone and lock you out!! UGH….was in password H3ll for about 2 hours because I couldn’t remember which password I was using for my Google account. I never use that account for anything but my phone. I was “this close” to a factory reset. GRRR!!!

    Reply

  110. Lauren B says

    I’m having trouble getting my Samsung Galaxy 6s Edge to switch back to the swipe instead of a security lock. It will not allow it as an option. Getting very frustrated about it and I can’t find any helpfull info on it.

    Reply

  111. Rebecca says

    I changed my lock screen from swipe and now I want to change it back but I can’t. It says something like an administrator turned it off or something. I just want to change it back how do I do that?

    Reply

  112. Paddy behan says

    I seem to have found a glitch with lockscreen. My phone has a pin security setting to unlock it but ive just noticed i can unlock the phone by not entering the pin at all! If i press and hold the screen near the pin pad to enter my pin, it makes a “movable bubble”. If i drag the bubble to the top of the screen, the phone becomes unlocked! Just like that! No pin required!! Is this a concern?!

    Reply

  113. Nelson says

    I found this in android central this morning and it worked!!! 1/19/2015 8:03 Am

    ***************************************************************

    Try the following using Google’s Android Device Manager

    On a computer or in a mobile browser, go to http://www.google.com/android/devicemanager.
    Sign in to the Google Account that you previously added to your device.
    If you have more than one device, select the arrow next to the name of the device you’re locked out of. Android Device Manager will show you the approximate location of your device on a map.
    Click Lock.
    Enter a temporary password for your device, then click Lock again.
    On your device, enter the temporary password on the lock screen.
    Open the Settings menu on your device.
    Under “Personal,” touch Security > Screen lock.
    Enter your temporary password again, then follow the prompts to reset your device’s screen lock.

    Reply

  114. jimmy says

    The situation is my lock screen PIN is not letting me into my 6 month old Samsung SM-G90i phone. I set the pin using my favourite 4 digits then immediately tried to log on and now all I get is “Incorrect PIN entered” and a 30 second wait every 5 attempts.

    Apparently this is a bug that happens to S6s now and then. That’s what the people in my local Samsung store told me.

    Being a Samsung user for years I am accustomed to unlocking the phone with a Google login after failed pin attempts; but I am told by Samsung that this has been removed with the new Android update. Apparently I needed to be a SAMSUNG account member, signed up to Find My Phone BEFORE being locked out. Samsung are telling me it’s the only way.

    Seems to me Samsung are forcing us to use their service and not Google.

    Trying to find another solution that does not involve a factory reset. The reason being I have photos/data on the phone that I can’t loose – 2 life milestones including baby pics.

    Can anyone help with a way to get data off my phone before factory reset OR a way to unlock pin?

    I can still install apps on the phone via google, as luckily my wifi was switched on.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if heaps of people have experienced this same issue.

    Reply

  115. Ronald Hacker says

    my s6 will not unlock with my fingerprint and I have forgotten my back up password and do not remember my google account password

    Reply

  116. Jessika says

    I have a galaxy s6. I just put my finger print lock screen on. And nof it won’t let me not have a lock screen. I tried to turn it off and it wouldmy let me. Saying a encryption policy or credentials storage.

    Reply

  118. Francisco Rodriguez says

    Hello I have a Samsung s6 and I have the swype password, every time I put the password with swype it doesn’t work now unless I type it. I tried changing it to pin and going back to it but it didn’t work any ideas??

    Reply

  119. Najee says

    I downloaded the “Software” and had to complete the new logging system. I didn’t change my finger print access and the emergency password. I logged off and now couldn’t access via the Emergency Password.

    Reply

  121. Tom Griffn says

    I unfortunately updated my phone this morning and the dump swipe to unlock screen is required to be used. Dumb idea Samsung. I am on the phone with Samsung right now and they won’t do anything about it. They put me on hold for a supervisor and my phone shows the call has last 1 hour and 43 minutes now. This is horrible. I have loved this phone until now. They have to come up with a way to shut this off!!!

    Reply

  122. Tracy says

    THANK YOU! Your information saved my butt. I was able to go to Find my Device and unlock my screen. I had 1 attempt left before it was going to reset.
    You are appreciated.

    tdhayes1

    Reply

  123. henri says

    Hello,

    after the latest samsung update i created the direction lock. I kind of did a circle not knowing what i was doing and now it wiont accept it. So when i unlock my phone it has to be after 2 fails and i get in with my 4 digit code.
    But when i try to change my direction lock it wont allow me because i dont remember the original one i made….

    i know stupid.

    Any ideas?

    Thank you

    Reply

  124. Kara says

    Hello. My samsung galaxy s6 edge doesn’t want to recognise my fingerprint and I don’t remember the password to unlock it. I don’t want to reset it because I will lose all my data. Everytime when I try a new password it tells me to wait 60 minutes to try another one. I don’t have a samsung account so I am not able to unlock it via find my phone. I don’t know how to get to the unlock via google account box on the screen. I have tried different passwords more than 20 times. Any other ideas except factory reset I don’t want to lose my data(photos) or how to save them/back them up somehow if I don’t have a previous backup for them? Maybe a Tmobile attendant in a shop or some hacker on craigslist as last resorts? Thank you.

    Reply

  126. Dani says

    My phone had always been encrypted because of work. With the encryption I have always had to use my fingerprint or a password to unlock it. With the new update (which I like because a password can be a 4 digit number instead of letters and numbers) I have entered my fingerprint and password in order to lock my phone. Both of those work. I have always used the setting to where when you press the power key or by the screen timing out. When I downloaded the new software the lock settings was set to where it would require the fingerprint after 15 minutes of no activity. I have gone into the lock screen settings and chosen secure lock settings and then the option of secure lock time and changed it from 15 minutes to with the power key or screen timeout. That is where my problem comes in. Throughout the day I will pick my phone up and it will ask me for my fingerprint like it should. I’ll do what I need to on it and then hit the power button to black out the screen. In another 3 or 4 minutes I’ll get another notification or need to use it again and go to unlock it with my fingerprint and it will day swipe screen which I’ll do and it wont ask me for anything. I’ll go back into the settings and look and it has changed my setting to 15 minutes again. It will do this several times throughout the day and I will have to every time change it back to the power key or screen time out in order for it to securely lock my phone immediately instead of waiting for the 15 minutes. I cannot have it doing this constantly because of my job. Please help me fix this!

    Reply

  127. Valerie says

    I have had my S6 since January with no problem using my fingerprint or password. This morning, it does not recognize my fingerprint, and I see no option on the screen to enter my password. I have three attempts left or I will lose my data? 🙁 What’s gone wrong?

    Reply

  128. sally says

    i have a Samsung galaxy s6 edge, last nite i decided to change my lock screen from a pattern that i had been using since i got the phone 6 months ago to a pin number… when i entered the code moments later into the lock screen it did not accepting the code. i have tried everything! Do you know what i can do without resetting my phone

    Reply

  129. Keagin Murphy says

    My device switches the unlock option back to swipe when I want it to be pattern, I tried the steps on this site but they didn’t seem to work

    Reply

  130. Breanna says

    I have a samsung galaxy s6 edge plus, and my pin and fingerprint work fines but I have a quick question. While at my home my lock screen will not lock, it just swipe. I remember a few weeks ago there was a message that pop up and it said something about this being my current home address and was it safe? I really didn’t read over it to understand it.

    Reply

  131. Njeri Magdalene says

    Hello i forget my second password and now i cant use my phone please i was using fingerprint and after reboosting (restart) i cant get access to my phone, please help

    Reply

  132. Barbieri says

    Hi, i think this guide is out off date, some options in the tutorial doesn’t exist anymore.
    I would like to reduce the time that lock screen shows to 5 seconds, I can’t find any settings to do it.
    Android 6.0.1

    Reply

  133. Heidi says

    Hi i have locked myself out off my samsung galaxy s6 edge, i turned on the direction lock and now i cant open it and it keeps locking me out for longer and longer please help.

    Reply

  134. ................... says

    I used to have the lock screen with a fingerprint but then I took it off. I want to put it back on but it keeps asking my for my backup password which I don’t remember setting up. How do I reset the password????

    Reply

  135. Jean says

    I’m locked out of my samsung galaxy 6, I’m hoping someone know the format for the password, I’ve lost the paper I had it written on. I’m need to know if it asked for special characters when setting it up. Thanks to all…

    Reply

  137. Sharon Snyder says

    My phone is not locked, I just want to change my pin for lock screen. Please help!
    Thanks

    Reply

  138. Steven says

    My wife’s phone when locked has lost the status bar on the top of the locked screen. It no longer shows the battery, service, time and when charging only shows the lightning bolt. Is there anyway to get all that back on the lock screen?

    Reply

  139. Mark McCauley says

    I forgot my screen pattern on Gal s6 model G920P. Went to FindMyPhone, but not recognized because I never registered it. Don’t want to lose my data, especially my text conversations with important documentation. I paid $44 and downloaded software on my laptop from DrPhon that claims they can have me reset my pattern and unlock my phone with losing data and no hard reset. But when I tried it, my model G920P doesn’t show up on there program. Has anyone used this software from DrPhon and did it work? And also is there a way that if I do have to do a Hard Reset, I can retrieve my text conversation from somewhere? I use Textra for texts

    Reply

  140. HDF says

    The most bizarre thing just happened! My screen turned black and I couldn’t get it back on. I waited a few minutes, nothing. I also got 2 calls in but couldn’t answer because of black screen. I did the vol down and power to reboot and all if fine BUT… The phone did record the incoming calls. It was my ex-husband (we are good friends today) so I called him back. In a trembling, stressed voice he says, “Are you ok??” what?? he was freaked and heading from his job to m house. He apparently got several 911, SOS, help texts apparently from me! Said he was sent a couple of pics with me laying on the bed maybe asleep (or he was hoping so). What the hell??? All of this happened while my black screen was frozen on. Anyone ever heard of anything like this at all? He is freaked out!! Going to bring his phone by tonight so I can see the text. I have nothing recorded as coming from my phone!! HELP!

    Reply

  141. Joe Lucas says

    I have a Samsung Galaxy J3 6 and cannot open my phone because of an incorrect password. I tried the password I used but now it won’t accept it. Please could you help?

    Reply

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