Locked out of my phone

[Rachoyi20]

The password on my Samsung phone(S8 plus) changed by itself. I tried unlocking the phone using find my device but since I had not enabled this feature on my phone, I was unable to do so. I do not want to factory reset as I would loose all my data. 

I have been in contact with Samsung and they were unable to help sort it.

I enabled back up to my google account. For some strange reason it stopped backing up in 2019!. Just realised it.

Has anyone been in this situation and were you able  to unlock your phone without having to do a factory reset?

[Chris_B]

@Rachoyi20  If you don’t know the passcode you’ll have to factory reset it.  There is no way around this. 

[Northerner]

Hi @Rachoyi20 

Try asking the owner. The password doesn't change by itself. You also normally have two ways to access, for example the pattern and passcode, If you forget one you can use the other. 

If you factory reset you might need your Google credentials you used on the phone to reactivate. 

Thanks

[Rachoyi20]

The phone belongs to me. I have not forgotten the password. It changed by
itself. Samsung confirmed this has happened before. Unfortunately I did not
enable unlock my phone remotely feature on the phone.

[James_B]

Hi @Rachoyi20,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

As @Northerner mentioned, if you don't know the passcode/pattern to access your phone, you can use your Google account password after entering your PIN incorrectly five times.

James

[BrendonH]

Hold the Volume Down Button whilst holding down the power button.

This will restart the phone. Try your password then.

But passwords do not change on their own

[Rachoyi20]

The password did change on its own. I have spoken to Samsung, they confirmed it has happened to other customers but could not explain why it happened. 

[Rachoyi20]

Tried that as well but still did not accept my password. 

[BrendonH]

Did Samsung tell you themselves or are you just Google searching. Because passwords don't just change. 

[BrendonH]

But unfortunately unless you know the password or back up password or you haven't registered find my phone to remotely unlock it then your only way is to do a factory reset and in future just make sure you back up regularly.