How to Turn off Screen Lock on Android

You can disable the lock screen in the Settings app, but there are downsides

By
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson
Writer
  • Rutgers University
  • Central Michigan University
Dave Johnson has been writing about tech since 1990. He's the author of over 2 dozen books and his writing has appeared in Wired, PCWorld, Business Insider, and many other publications.
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Updated on January 8, 2024
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA-certified technologist with more than 10 years of experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

  • Android: Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Screen lock > enter passcode > None.
  • Samsung: Settings > Lock screen > Screen lock type > enter passcode > None > Remove data. 
  • It's bad practice to disable the lock screen because it leaves your private information vulnerable to theft and tampering.

This article explains how to turn off the screen lock on your Android phone. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on which Android version and handset you own, so we'll cover the most common methods.

How to Remove Screen Lock on Most Android Phones

Screen lock options are found in the Settings app, usually in a category that includes Security in the title. If these steps don't lead you directly to your phone's lock screen controls, a little browsing in Settings should help you find it quickly.

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Find the security or lock screen option. On most versions of Android, choose Security & privacy, Security, or Security & location. 

  3. Find the option to set your lock screen access code. Depending on your device, it might be in Device unlock > Screen lock, or a menu called Lock screen password.

  4. Depending on your version of Android, tap Disable lock screen password or None (to specify no passcode security). You'll need to enter your current PIN or passcode to make this change and then confirm this choice in a pop-up window.

    Disabling the lock screen on an Android phone.

How to Remove Screen Lock on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Here's how this works on a Samsung Galaxy phone:

  1. Open the Settings app. One way to get there is through the Quick Settings menu.

  2. Tap Lock screen. On older devices, go to My Device > Personalization > Lock Screen, or Lock screen and security.

  3. Tap Screen lock type and enter your current passcode. 

  4. Tap None. If you see a message prompt like the one shown below, tap Remove data to erase all the biometric data from your phone. 

    Disabling the lock screen on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

The Risks of Android Lock Screen Removal

There's no question that lock screens can sometimes be annoying or inconvenient, and disabling it means you'll never need to enter a passcode or wait for biometric security. But consider this very carefully before you do: having no lock screen exposes you to a lot of risk. 

If you phone is lost, misplaced, or even just out of your control briefly, anyone with physical access to your phone can open it immediately. This makes your private information extremely vulnerable, which is a particular concern since identity theft is such a concern these days.  

If you really don't want to enter a passcode each time you open your phone, rather than disabling your lock screen, consider setting up face recognition or fingerprint scanning, if your phone supports those features. 

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