How to set a screen lock on my device? ( Android 9 or Higher )
How do I set a screen lock on my device? / How can I protect or lock my phone from unauthorized use? / How can I unlock my device using fingerprint?
Valid for
- Android 9.0 or higher.
Solution
NOTE: For Android 10 and later products, Lock screen & security has been changed to Security.
Setting up and using a screen lock pattern
To set up a screen lock pattern
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock > Pattern.
- Draw a screen lock pattern, then tap NEXT.
- Re-draw the pattern, then tap CONFIRM.
- Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.
To change a screen lock pattern
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Draw your screen lock pattern.
- Tap Pattern.
- Draw a new screen lock pattern, then tap NEXT.
- Re-draw the pattern, then tap CONFIRM.
To unlock your device using a screen lock pattern
- Activate the screen.
- Draw your screen lock pattern.
To remove up a screen lock pattern
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Draw your screen lock pattern.
- Tap None > YES, REMOVE.
Setting up and using a screen lock PIN
To set up a screen lock PIN
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock > PIN.
- Enter a screen lock PIN (at least 4 digits), then tap NEXT.
- Re-enter the PIN, then tap CONFIRM.
- Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.
To change a screen lock PIN
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Enter your screen lock PIN, then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap PIN.
- Enter a new screen lock PIN (at least 4 digits), then tap NEXT.
- Re-enter the PIN, then tap CONFIRM.
To unlock your device using a screen lock PIN
- Activate the screen.
- Enter your screen lock PIN.
To remove up a screen lock PIN
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Enter your screen lock PIN, then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap None > YES, REMOVE.
Setting up and using a screen lock password
To set up a screen lock password
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock > Password.
- Enter a screen lock password (at least 4 characters), then tap NEXT.
- Re-enter the password, then tap CONFIRM.
- Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.
To change a screen lock password
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Enter your screen lock password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap Password.
- Enter a a new screen lock password (at least 4 characters), then tap NEXT.
- Re-enter the password, then tap CONFIRM.
To unlock your device using a screen lock password
- Activate the screen.
- Enter your screen lock password, then tap the on-screen keyboard Enter key.
To remove up a screen lock password
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
- Enter your screen lock password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap None > YES, REMOVE.
Setting up and using fingerprint unlocking
If you have set up a screen lock pattern, PIN or password you can activate fingerprint unlocking. If you haven't, you will be requested to set up a pattern, PIN or password as a backup screen lock method before you can activate fingerprint unlocking.
To activate fingerprint unlocking (with a backup screen lock method)
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Fingerprint Manager > NEXT.
- Draw your screen lock pattern, or, enter your PIN or password and then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap NEXT.
- Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration. Repeat touching the sensor until the fingerprint is added.
- Tap DONE.
To activate fingerprint unlocking (without a backup screen lock method)
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Fingerprint Manager > NEXT.
- Choose your backup screen lock method by tapping Fingerprint + Pattern, Fingerprint + PIN, or Fingerprint + Password.
- Depending on your choice in step 2, draw a pattern, or, enter a PIN or password, then tap NEXT.
- Re-draw the pattern, or, re-enter the PIN or password, then tap CONFIRM.
- Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.
- Tap NEXT.
- Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration. Repeat touching the sensor until the fingerprint is added.
- Tap DONE.
To unlock your device using a screen lock password
- Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with your finger until your device unlocks.
To add another fingerprint for unlocking
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Fingerprint Manager.
- Draw your screen lock pattern, or, enter your PIN or password and then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap Add fingerprint.
- Tap the fingerprint sensor lightly and multiple times with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration.
- When the fingerprint is added, tap DONE.
To delete a fingerprint for unlocking
- Find and tap Settings > Lock screen & security > Fingerprint Manager.
- Draw your screen lock pattern, or, enter your PIN or password and then tap the next icon (arrow).
- Tap the wastepaper basket icon beside the fingerprint you want to delete.
- Tap DELETE.