Galaxy S20 lockdown mode allows you to turn off biometric and smart lock in some special situations to enhance security and privacy protection.
This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Galaxy S20 lockdown mode is, when to use it, how to enable and exit the lockdown mode.
The lockdown mode is available in all Samsung Galaxy phones with Android Pie (Android 9), Android 10, or Android 11. So, this guide applies to not only Galaxy S20 phones but also Galaxy phones with Android 9 and later versions including Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy Note 20.
What is Galaxy S20 lockdown mode?
Android 9 (Android Pie) introduced the lockdown mode to boost phone security on-the-fly. And Samsung implemented it in all od their Galaxy phones with Android 9 or later Android OS.
Galaxy S20 lockdown mode, once activated, blocks all biometric security (face unlock and fingerprint) and smart lock. In the lockdown mode, the only way to unlock your Galaxy S20 is using the primary PIN, Pattern or Password.
Voice recognition (Bixby and Google Assistant) will also not work when the lockdown mode is activated.
Besides, all notifications that would usually be displayed on the Galaxy S20 lock screen will be hidden, and you can only read them after you unlock the phone.
In a nutshell, Galaxy S20 lockdown mode:
- Force you to use PIN, Pattern or Password to unlock Galaxy S20.
- Hide all notifications from the lock screen regardless of the notification settings for the lock screen.
Therefore, it is a security feature, not a convenience feature.
Please note, Galaxy S20 lockdown mode is a one-time feature. It means it will return to normal once you unlock Galaxy S20 with PIN, pattern or password. If you need the mode again, you have to activate it again.
If you want to use the lockdown mode permanently, you may set the phone in this way:
- Delete the registered facial features and fingerprints
- Reset the smart lock and remove any trusted devices and locations.
- Choose not to show any notification on the lock screen.
- Disable Bixby and Google Assistant on the lock screen.
Anyway, this would cause some inconveniences.
When to use Galaxy S20 lockdown mode?
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