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
- Go to “Apps” > “Settings” > “Lock screen and security“.
- Select “Fingerprints” under the “Security” section.
- enter the PIN, password, or pattern you set up when you set it up.
- 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
- Go to “Apps” > “Settings” > “Lock screen and security” > “Screen lock type“.
- Select “Fingerprints“.
- Choose to set a Pattern, PIN, or Password as an alternate method for unlocking your phone.
- 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.
Roy says
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?
Toto says
I forget the password and also my fingerprint was not recognized…help please
donal says
worked great for me. For those struggling try just adding a 2nd fingerprint. Thanks.
Linda kirk says
Thank you so much for this information, it has really helped me.
Mark Taylor says
Hi Mitch, thanks for this page its helped a lot.
PAUL CASHMORE says
With fingerprint on i can still access my S7 with on/off button then sweep the screen! Why is this? Not very secure!
Mitch Bartlett says
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.
Ron says
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?
Gary says
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
Aris says
Same I don’t know how to do it.. Anyone help please
Kamran says
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
Doug says
Guess I’m not the only one that has this issue.
Is a “reset” the only way to unlock the phone? I hope not.
Corrinne Gerrist says
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.
Glenda Graham says
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.
Michelle says
How do I disable the app lock it’s driving me mad !!
JOHN SKOBLYK says
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??
Cathy says
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?