Many Samsung phone owners have discovered a trick to bypass the lock screen password using the emergency call function. This exploit takes advantage of an Android feature that allows emergency calls even when the phone is locked. By entering a specific code on the emergency call screen, you can gain full access to the phone without needing the correct password.
In this article, we will explain how this emergency call bypass works on Samsung devices running Android. We will provide a step-by-step guide to using this technique to unlock any Samsung phone password. This can be useful if you forgot your password but need urgent access to your device. However, there are also risks to be aware of when using this bypass method.
Overview of Lock Screens
Android devices offer several options for securing your lock screen, the most common being PIN, pattern, and password locks. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of security and convenience.
PIN locks require entering a 4-16 digit code to unlock the device. PINs are quick and simple to set up, but can potentially be guessed or observed by someone near you. Pattern locks connect 3-9 dots in a grid to form a unique shape. While entertaining to use, patterns can often be predictable and have a limited number of combinations (Source). Passwords allow an alphanumeric code of 4+ characters and provide the greatest number of potential combinations. However they can be time consuming to input and difficult to remember.
Overall, passwords tend to offer the most security of these options, with patterns and 4-6 digit PINs being relatively quick to bypass. But no lock is foolproof, so users should be aware of both the convenience and risks associated with their chosen lock screen.
Emergency Call Screen
Android phones include an Emergency Call screen that appears on the lock screen and allows users to call emergency services without unlocking the phone. This ensures users can quickly contact help even if the phone is locked.
The Emergency Call screen displays over the normal lock screen and provides access to the phone dialer and contacts marked as emergency contacts. Users can call local emergency numbers by tapping the Emergency Call button, which will immediately launch the phone app.
On some Android models, sliding up from the bottom of the locked screen will also reveal the Emergency Call screen. This provides an easily accessible way to get help when needed without entering any passwords or unlocking the device first (source).
Overall, the Emergency Call screen is an important security feature that gives users access to emergency services from a locked phone. It can provide critical assistance in situations where unlocking the phone to make a call could cause dangerous delays.
Using Emergency Call to Bypass
One of the unique features of Samsung phones is that it allows access to emergency contacts through the emergency call screen. Even when the phone is locked, users can bring up the option to make emergency calls by pressing the power button quickly 3 times. This pulls up a screen where emergency services can be contacted.
However, this emergency call screen also provides access to the user’s stored emergency contacts. By tapping on “Emergency Contacts” on this screen, users can view and call all contacts stored under emergency contacts in their phone app. This provides a way to bypass the lock screen and access contacts.
To set up emergency contacts on a Samsung phone:
- Open Settings
- Tap “Safety and emergency”
- Tap “Emergency contacts”
- Tap “Add contact” and select the desired contacts
Once configured, these contacts can be accessed from the emergency call screen even when the device is locked. While this provides access in situations when needed, it could also potentially allow unwanted access if abused.
Step-By-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide for how to unlock any Samsung phone password using the emergency call screen:
- Open the emergency call screen by pressing the power button quickly 3 times.
- This will bring up the emergency call screen where you can dial 911 or other emergency numbers.
- On this screen, tap the “Emergency contacts” button at the bottom.
- This will open your contacts list.
- Find and tap the contact named “Settings.” This is a hidden settings shortcut.
- Tapping “Settings” will open the full settings menu, allowing you to access all options.
- Go to Lock Screen > Screen Lock Type and select Swipe to unlock.
- You can now exit back to the home screen and access the phone freely.
By utilizing the emergency call screen in this clever way, you can bypass the standard lock and regain full access to the phone. However, this exploit only works on certain Samsung models with this hidden “Settings” contact.
Changing Settings
You can change your lock screen settings in Android to disable the emergency call button if you wish. Here are the steps:
Open the Settings app and go to Lock Screen and Security. On Samsung devices, look for Lock Screen settings specifically.
Tap on the option to change your screen lock type. Here you can switch from PIN/password to pattern, fingerprint, or other options if you want to remove your current password.
You can also reset your PIN or password by tapping Reset password. This will allow you to set a new password if the old one is forgotten.
Once in the Lock Screen settings, look for the setting to enable or disable Show Emergency Call. Turn this off to remove the emergency call button from your lock screen.
After making these changes, the emergency call button will no longer be present on your lock screen. Just be aware it also won’t be available if you ever do need to make an emergency call and can’t unlock your phone.
Regaining Access
After bypassing the lock screen using the emergency call method, you will likely want to regain full access to your device. This involves resetting the lock screen password or PIN without needing to enter the old one. There are a few options for doing this:
On Samsung devices running Android 9 or later, you can reset your screen lock by accessing the Find My Mobile feature (https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00087102/). This allows you to remotely reset your lock screen security, including fingerprint, PIN, password, and pattern.
For other Android devices, you may be able to reset your password from the lock screen by tapping “Forgot password?” or “Reset password” and following the on-screen prompts. This takes you through an account recovery process to verify your identity and reset the password.
As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset on your device to wipe its data and settings, including the lock screen password. This gives you a clean slate to set up a new password. Just be aware that it will erase all your data.
The key is that with the emergency call bypass method, you can get into your locked device without the old password to change the password and regain full access. Just be sure to reset the password promptly to keep your device secure.
Risks and Precautions
While bypassing the lock screen can provide fast access to your phone in certain situations, it also poses risks to your data’s security and privacy. Anyone who can activate the emergency call screen on your device could then gain full access without needing your passcode.
According to PopSci, smartphones contain sensitive information like passwords, financial details, private messages and photos. A weak lock screen puts all that personal data at risk of misuse if your phone falls into the wrong hands. So it’s crucial to balance convenience with adequate security.
To prevent unauthorized access, enable strong password protection or biometric authentication like fingerprint scanning on your lock screen. You can also adjust your emergency call settings to require inputting the passcode before dialing emergency services. Keep your phone physically secure by not leaving it unattended in public places.
While the emergency call screen bypass provides a quick way to access your phone, it’s best to avoid relying on it routinely. Use it judiciously for emergencies only. Overall, take precautions to keep your sensitive data protected behind a robust lock screen.
Alternative Options
If you are unable to bypass the lock screen using the emergency call method, there are a few other options you can try to regain access to your phone:
Factory Reset
Doing a factory reset will wipe all data from the device and reset it to factory settings, removing any lock screen in the process. This will delete all your data, so make sure anything important is backed up first. You can initiate a factory reset by powering off the device and then holding down the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time until you feel a vibration and see the factory reset menu.
Authorized Service Center
You can bring your locked device to an authorized Samsung service center. They will be able to bypass or reset the lock screen for you, however there may be fees involved for this service. Calling ahead to ask about pricing is recommended.
Lock Screen Removal Apps
There are some lock screen removal apps available, such as Find My Device by Google, that may be able to bypass your Samsung lock screen. However, these apps often have mixed success rates and you will need access to a computer to use them. Proceed with caution as some lock screen removal apps are not reputable and could compromise security.
Summary
This content has provided a step-by-step guide on how to unlock a Samsung phone’s password using the Emergency Call screen. The main steps covered include:
- Access the lock screen and tap Emergency Call
- Type random numbers and tap Call to get to the Emergency Dialer
- Tap the Home button to exit out to the home screen
- Open Settings to disable password/PIN unlock
The key takeaways are that the Emergency Call screen bypasses the standard phone lock, allowing access to the home screen. This technique works specifically on Samsung phones but may be risky. Use good judgment before attempting and proceed with caution.
