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Galaxy S7: Enable or Disable Fingerprint Unlock

Mitch BartlettApril 20, 2016 Comments (18)

The fingerprint unlock feature is pretty neat on the Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone. Not everyone finds that they enjoy it after using it a few days though. Whether you like the security it brings or hate the extra step, here’s how to enable or disable the fingerprint unlock feature.

Turn Off Fingerprint Unlock

  1. Go to “Apps” > “Settings” > “Lock screen and security“.
  2. Select “Fingerprints” under the “Security” section.
  3. enter the PIN, password, or pattern you set up when you set it up.
  4. Slide “Fingerprint unlock” to “Off“.

When you do this, the phone will only allow you to unlock it using the PIN, password, or pattern. You can disable these under “Lock screen and security” > “Lock screen type” by setting it to “None“.

Turn On Fingerprint Unlock

  1. Go to “Apps” > “Settings” > “Lock screen and security” > “Screen lock type“.
  2. Select “Fingerprints“.
  3. Choose to set a Pattern, PIN, or Password as an alternate method for unlocking your phone.
  4. Use a finger or thumb to press the “Home” button numerous times. Use a different portion of a single finger or thumb multiple times until the device fully reads your print.
Categories: Android

Author Mitch Bartlett

Through my career that spans over 20 years I have become an expert in Microsoft Systems Administration, Android, and macOS. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful knowledgebase for everyone.

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Comments

  1. Bernice Stein-O'Neill says:
    November 21, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    I cannot delete this finger print problem. It will not delete.

  2. Roy says:
    March 21, 2021 at 2:29 am

    Hi Mitch
    My finger print recognition stopped working, i did not recall setting a password and i am stuck with a phone i cannot access please help, how do i unlock the phone?

  3. Toto says:
    September 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    I forget the password and also my fingerprint was not recognized…help please

  4. donal says:
    April 3, 2018 at 7:57 am

    worked great for me. For those struggling try just adding a 2nd fingerprint. Thanks.

  5. Linda kirk says:
    February 3, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    Thank you so much for this information, it has really helped me.

  6. Mark Taylor says:
    December 18, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Hi Mitch, thanks for this page its helped a lot.

  7. PAUL CASHMORE says:
    November 14, 2017 at 10:16 am

    With fingerprint on i can still access my S7 with on/off button then sweep the screen! Why is this? Not very secure!

  8. Mitch Bartlett says:
    October 24, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    When setting up fingerprint security, you are prompted to set a PIN. If you don’t know the PIN, you’ll have to factory reset the phone.

  9. Ron says:
    October 24, 2017 at 10:13 am

    On my Galaxy 7, the fingerprint security got turned on by accident. The fingerprint does not work part of the time and is a real pain to use. I have attempted to disable but it is asking for a password. I do not recall ever setting up a password. How do you get past this?

  10. Gary says:
    July 4, 2017 at 2:28 am

    hi I have galaxy s7 & set up FP R but cant remember setting up password everytime I I try to open its because its asking for pin it shuts me out for an hour at a time, I’m at my wits end can u help please please Any help will do

  11. Aris says:
    April 21, 2017 at 6:30 am

    Same I don’t know how to do it.. Anyone help please

  12. Kamran says:
    April 4, 2017 at 6:41 am

    Fingerprint is working on my Samsung galaxy C7 but pattern lock was forgotten plz help if someone could help my to get my pattern back without factory reset.regards

  13. Doug says:
    March 30, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Guess I’m not the only one that has this issue.
    Is a “reset” the only way to unlock the phone? I hope not.

  14. Corrinne Gerrist says:
    March 1, 2017 at 10:11 am

    My phone has a fingerprint lock on it that I can’t get off. I have never set a password up for this. How do I get the finger print lock off.

  15. Glenda Graham says:
    January 29, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    Same thing just happened to me. I have NO recollection of Ever setting up a password for the phone. I recently set up an additional finger print so that I now have 3, but the phone insists on a password. It tells me I have 8 tries left.

  16. Michelle says:
    October 27, 2016 at 6:28 am

    How do I disable the app lock it’s driving me mad !!

  17. JOHN SKOBLYK says:
    September 21, 2016 at 4:27 am

    My Galaxy 7 is locked, is asking for password instead of fingerprint recognition to protect fingerprint. Don’t know what password is required. I have tried all have failed. Unclear of what password is needed as don’t recall setting one up when I created the fingerprint recognition. Any suggestions??

  18. Cathy says:
    September 2, 2016 at 11:59 am

    Hey, Mitch. I have locked myself out of my phone because I have forgotten the password I set for fingerprint security. I cannot get in the phone to disable fingerprint security. Got any suggestions?

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My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

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Last Updated on April 20, 2016 by Mitch Bartlett