If you just factory-reset a Samsung phone and it is asking for the Google account that was previously signed in, this is Google’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP). It is a security feature that locks the device until the last known Google account credentials are entered. This guide covers the general, legitimate methods people use to get past this screen on their own device when they have forgotten the password or bought the phone second-hand. You will need a Wi-Fi connection, another device (like a computer or another phone) with internet access, and patience. Note that these steps apply to older Android versions and some carriers; newer Samsung devices with Android 10 and above are significantly harder to bypass and may require paid tools or services.
What You’ll Need
- The Samsung phone that is locked (powered on, on the “Verify your account” screen)
- A stable Wi-Fi network
- A computer or another phone with internet access
- A USB cable (only for certain methods)
- A SIM card (optional, but helps with some methods)
Step-by-Step
- Start on the lock screen. Turn on the phone. You will see the welcome screen asking you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi. Do this normally.
- Reach the verification screen. After connecting to Wi-Fi, the phone will ask you to verify your Google account. This is the screen you need to bypass.
- Method 1: Use the TalkBack accessibility trick (Android 9 and earlier). On the verification screen, tap the “Accessibility” button (usually a person icon at the bottom right). Enable “TalkBack”. Then, go back to the main verification screen. Open the notification shade (swipe down from the top) and find the “Settings” gear icon. Tap it. In Settings, go to “Accessibility” > “Installed services” and enable any service you see (like “Google Play services”). Then, go back to Settings > “Accounts” > “Add account” and add a new Google account. Sometimes this lets you skip the verification. If it works, you will get into the home screen.
- Method 2: The “Emergency Call” keyboard trick (Android 8 and earlier). On the verification screen, tap “Emergency Call”. This opens a dialer. Type a long string of characters (like asterisks and numbers) to fill the screen. Then, swipe down from the top to open the notification shade. Tap the Settings icon. From there, you can navigate to “Backup and reset” and perform another factory reset. This time, when the phone reboots, it may skip the verification. This is a one-time trick and often fails on newer firmware.
- Method 3: Use the “Setup Wizard” glitch (Android 10). Some Samsung devices with Android 10 have a bug in the setup wizard. When you are on the “Copy apps and data” screen, tap “Don’t copy”. Then, tap “Next” repeatedly until you see the “Google services” screen. Toggle off “Backup & restore” and “Location”. Then, tap “Accept”. This sometimes bypasses the FRP check. If it does not, try tapping the “Skip” button at the top right corner repeatedly very fast.
- Method 4: Use a third-party FRP bypass tool (Windows PC required). Download a reputable FRP bypass tool (like “FRP Hijacker” or “SamFirm Tool”) on your computer. Install the Samsung USB drivers on the PC. Put the phone into Download Mode (turn it off, then press and hold Volume Down + Power, then follow the on-screen prompt). Connect the phone to the PC. Run the tool and follow its instructions. Most tools will flash a modified file that removes the FRP flag. This is the most reliable method for older phones but carries a small risk of bricking the device if done incorrectly.
- Method 5: Use the “Add Account” workaround (Android 11 and 12). On the verification screen, tap “Try another way”. This takes you to a screen with a text field. Type in your Gmail address. Tap “Next”. When it asks for the password, tap “Forgot password”. This opens a browser. In the browser, go to “google.com” and search for anything. Then, tap the three-dot menu and select “Desktop site”. Now, go to “accounts.google.com” and sign in with a different Google account. Once signed in, go to “Google Account” > “Security” > “Your devices” and remove the phone from the list. Go back to the phone and it may let you proceed.
- Method 6: Contact the previous owner. If you bought the phone used, the easiest and most legal way is to contact the seller and ask them to log in with their Google account once, then remove it from the phone (Settings > Accounts > Remove account). This is the only 100% safe method that does not risk data loss or bricking.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the Wi-Fi setup. Most bypass methods require an active internet connection to load the Google pages. If you skip Wi-Fi, the tricks will not work.
- Using outdated methods. A trick that worked on Android 8 will not work on Android 12. Always check your Android version in the phone’s settings (if you can access it) or on the box.
- Not backing up data. If you are doing a factory reset again as part of the bypass, you will lose all data on the phone. Make sure you do not need anything from it.
- Panicking and tapping random buttons. The verification screen is sensitive. Tapping the wrong button may lock the phone for 24 hours or trigger a different security prompt.
Tips
- Check the Android version first. Go to Settings > About phone (if you can access it) to see the version. If it is Android 13 or higher, the free methods below will almost certainly fail.
- Use a SIM card. Inserting a SIM card with data can sometimes change the behavior of the setup wizard, giving you more options.
- Keep the phone charged. A low battery can interrupt the process and cause a boot loop. Charge it to at least 50% before starting.
- Try the simplest method first. The TalkBack trick is the least invasive. Only move to PC tools if it fails.
- Write down the Google account you are trying to bypass. If you are the original owner, try “Forgot password” on a computer first. Often, you can reset the password and then just log in normally on the phone, which is the safest route.
Troubleshooting
What if the phone reboots to the same verification screen? This means the FRP flag was not cleared. Try a different method. If you used a PC tool, re-run it and make sure the phone is in Download Mode correctly.
What if the “Settings” icon does not appear in the notification shade? This happens on newer firmware. The developers patched the accessibility loophole. You will need to use a PC tool or the “Add Account” browser method instead.
What if the phone is stuck in a boot loop? Hold down the Power + Volume Down buttons for 10 seconds to force restart. If it still loops, boot into Recovery Mode (Power + Volume Up) and do a “Wipe cache partition”. Do not wipe data unless you are prepared to lose everything.
What if the PC tool says “device not recognized”? Install the Samsung USB drivers again, use a different USB cable (preferably the original), and try a different USB port on your computer.
What if I get a “Google Play services has stopped” error? This is common during the TalkBack method. Tap “Close” and continue. If it keeps crashing, you may need to disable the service in Settings > Apps.
What if none of these work? For the latest Samsung phones (Galaxy S21 and newer), the free methods have been largely patched. You have three options: contact Samsung support (they may help if you have proof of purchase), use a paid unlocking service (research them carefully), or replace the motherboard (expensive). The most practical solution is often to return the phone to the seller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bypassing FRP illegal? It is not illegal if you own the phone or have the owner’s permission. However, using these methods on a stolen phone is a crime. The purpose of FRP is to deter theft.
Will bypassing FRP remove the previous owner’s data? No. The bypass only skips the verification screen. The phone is still factory reset, so the previous data is already gone. It does not give you access to the old owner’s files.
Can I bypass FRP on Android 14? As of now, there is no reliable free method for Android 14. The security is much tighter. Paid tools may work, but they are not guaranteed.
Do I need a computer for all methods? No. The TalkBack and Emergency Call tricks require only the phone and Wi-Fi. The PC tool method obviously requires a computer. The “Add Account” method requires only the phone.
What if I forgot my own Google password? Go to “google.com/recover” on a computer and follow the recovery steps. If you have a recovery phone number or email, you can reset it and then log in normally on the phone, which is the cleanest solution.
Will this void my warranty? Factory resetting the phone does not void the warranty. Using third-party PC tools that flash modified firmware might. Check with Samsung’s warranty terms before using those tools.
Related
General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.
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