How to Reset Samsung Forgot Password with PC

If you are locked out of your Samsung phone because you forgot the password, PIN, or pattern, you can use a PC to reset it. This guide explains the two main methods: using Samsung’s “Find My Mobile” service (works if you have a Samsung account and the phone is connected to the internet) and using Smart Switch to back up and then factory reset the device. You will need your Samsung account credentials, a PC with an internet connection, and a USB cable for the Smart Switch method.

What You’ll Need

• A PC with an internet browser
• Your Samsung account username and password (for Find My Mobile)
• A USB cable (for the Smart Switch method)
• Samsung Smart Switch software installed on your PC (for the Smart Switch method)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Find My Mobile (Recommended)

1. On your PC, open a web browser and go to findmymobile.samsung.com.
2. Sign in with the Samsung account that is linked to your locked phone. If you don’t remember the password, click “Forgot password?” and follow the recovery steps (you will need access to the recovery email or phone number).
3. Once signed in, you will see a map with your device listed on the left. If the phone is not listed, make sure it is powered on and connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
4. Click on your device name. The phone must be online for the remote commands to work.
5. In the left panel, click “Unlock” (sometimes labeled “Unlock my device”).
6. Click “Unlock” again in the confirmation pop-up. The phone will receive a remote command that removes the current lock screen (PIN, password, pattern, or even biometrics).
7. Wait a few seconds. The phone will show a notification confirming the unlock. You can now swipe up and access the phone without needing a password.
8. If the unlock command does not work, try the “Reset device” option instead. This will erase all data on the phone and restore it to factory settings. After the reset, you can set up the phone again with a new password.

Method 2: Using Smart Switch (If Find My Mobile Fails)

1. On your PC, download and install the latest version of Samsung Smart Switch from the official Samsung website.
2. Open Smart Switch on your PC.
3. Connect your locked Samsung phone to the PC using a USB cable.
4. If your phone asks for a password to allow USB debugging, you may need to try a different method (see Troubleshooting). If you can grant access, Smart Switch will detect your device.
5. Click “Back up” in Smart Switch to save your data (contacts, photos, messages, etc.) to the PC. If you cannot unlock the phone, you may not be able to back up, so skip this step if it fails.
6. After backing up (or if you don’t need the data), click “Emergency recovery” or “Device initialization” (the exact wording may vary by version). This will download the latest firmware and reinstall it on your phone, which erases all data including the lock screen.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions. The process may take 10-20 minutes. Do not unplug the USB cable during the process.
8. When the process finishes, the phone will restart with a fresh setup screen. You can now set a new password.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong Samsung account: Find My Mobile only works with the account that is currently signed in on the phone. If you have multiple Samsung accounts, try all of them.
• Phone is offline: The remote unlock command will not reach the phone if it is not connected to the internet. Check that the phone has a signal or Wi-Fi connection (even on the lock screen, the notification bar shows connection icons).
• Entering the wrong Samsung account password: If you are not sure of the password, do not keep guessing. Use the “Forgot password” link to reset it first, then proceed.
• Unplugging the USB cable during Smart Switch recovery: This can brick the phone. Always wait until the software says it is safe to disconnect.
• Assuming Find My Mobile works without a Samsung account: You must have set up a Samsung account on the phone beforehand. If you never did, this method will not work.

Tips

• Before trying any reset, try to remember your password by thinking about common patterns or writing down possible combinations. Try them on the phone after a few minutes to avoid lockout timeouts.
• If you have previously enabled “Smart Lock” (e.g., trusted device, trusted place), the phone may unlock automatically when you are near a trusted device or location. Try that first.
• For Find My Mobile, you can also use the “Back up data” option on the website before unlocking, which saves your data to Samsung Cloud.
• After you reset the phone, set up a new password that you can remember, and consider writing it down in a secure place.
• Keep your Samsung account password updated and recovery email/phone number current to avoid future lockouts.

Troubleshooting

• Find My Mobile says “Device offline” but the phone is on: The phone may be in airplane mode, or the screen may be off and the network is not active. Try calling the phone from another phone to wake it up, or wait a few minutes and refresh the page.
• Unlock command says “Failed” or “Unsupported”: Some older Samsung models or Android versions may not support remote unlock. In that case, use the “Reset device” option (which erases data) or proceed to the Smart Switch method.
• Smart Switch does not recognize the phone: Install the Samsung USB drivers on your PC, try a different USB port, and ensure the phone is in “File Transfer” mode if the screen is accessible. If the screen is locked and you cannot change the USB mode, try a different USB cable.
• You forgot your Samsung account password too: Use the “Forgot password” link on the sign-in page. You will need access to the recovery email or phone number associated with the account. If you no longer have access, you may need to contact Samsung support with proof of purchase.
• Phone is completely unresponsive (black screen): If the phone is frozen, try a forced restart by holding the Power and Volume Down buttons together for 10-15 seconds. Then try the methods again.
• After factory reset, the phone asks for the previous Google account: This is the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) lock. To bypass it, you must enter the Google account credentials that were previously used on the phone. If you forgot them, you will need to recover that Google account first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting my Samsung phone delete all my data?

Yes, both the “Reset device” option in Find My Mobile and the Smart Switch emergency recovery will erase all data on the phone (apps, photos, messages, etc.). However, if you have backed up to Samsung Cloud or Google, you can restore after the reset.

Can I reset my Samsung phone without a Samsung account?

If you never set up a Samsung account on the phone, Find My Mobile will not work. The only alternative is a factory reset via recovery mode (using hardware keys) or Smart Switch, but both require the phone to be in a state where you can access the recovery menu, which usually requires the phone to be off and then holding the Volume Up + Power buttons.

How long does the Smart Switch emergency recovery take?

It typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your internet speed and the phone model. The phone may restart several times during the process. Do not interrupt it.

What if I have two-factor authentication enabled on my Samsung account?

When you sign in to Find My Mobile on the PC, you will be prompted to enter a verification code sent to your trusted device or phone number. If you have access to that, you can proceed. If not, you may need to use backup codes or contact Samsung support.

Can I use Find My Mobile to unlock a phone that is not connected to Wi-Fi but has mobile data?

Yes, as long as the phone has any internet connection (mobile data or Wi-Fi), the remote command will work. The phone does not need to be on Wi-Fi specifically.

Is there a way to bypass the lock screen without losing data?

The Find My Mobile “Unlock” option is the only official method that removes the lock without erasing data. If that fails, there is no other way to keep your data, as the factory reset will wipe everything.

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