How to Unlock a Samsung Galaxy Watch

Press the Home key to get into your watch. To unlock it from the carrier, use the Galaxy Wearable app to turn on Reactivation lock

By
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Senior News Editor, Fact Checker
  • Western Kentucky University
  • Gulf Coast Community College
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
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Updated on December 27, 2023
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
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Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • To unlock from the carrier in the Galaxy Wearable app, go to Find My Watch > Set Security > Reactivation lock.
  • To unlock the watch to use the apps, press Home and enter your PIN or pattern.
  • To disable Screen Lock, go to Settings > Security > Lock > Type. Tap None.

This article explains how to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Watch. It also describes how to turn off Screen Lock, so you don't need to enter a PIN or pattern to access your watch.

How Do I Unlock a Samsung Galaxy Watch?

Unlocking a Samsung Galaxy Watch can mean two things: unlocking the device from its network carrier or unlocking the device to access its functions.

Unlock a Galaxy Watch From the Network Carrier

Samsung Galaxy Watches are not carrier-locked. However, your watch may be administrated by a specific carrier, typically the one to which your smartphone is attached. If you change providers, you'll need to turn on the Reactivation lock to connect your Galaxy Watch.

  1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and tap Find My Watch or Find My Gear.

  2. Go to Set Security > Reactivation lock.

  3. Tap the toggle switch to turn it on.

  4. Type your Samsung account password, then tap OK.

If this process worked, your Galaxy Watch should reregister with the carrier network you're currently using for your smartphone. If it doesn't work, you'll need to reach out to your carrier or Samsung to have the watch reset using a reset code.

If you experience difficulties resetting the network carrier on your Samsung Watch, it may be because you're connecting to a device "locked" to a specific network. If this is the case, you'll only be able to use the Watch with that carrier unless you reach out to the carrier or Samsung to get the watch "released."

Unlock a Galaxy Watch to Access Its Functions

If you're just trying to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Watch to access your apps and other functions, all you have to do is swipe the screen or press the Home button. If you've enabled a PIN or pattern security, you must input the requested information to complete the unlock process. Once you do, you'll have full access to the watch.

How Do I Take the Lock off My Samsung Watch?

If you don't want to input a PIN or trace a pattern every time you want to access your watch, you can deactivate this requirement. Afterward, when you lift your arm or swipe your watch face, you'll go straight into the watch instead of face the security lock.

  1. Press the Home button on the side of the watch to open the Apps screen.

  2. Go to Settings > Security > Lock > Type.

  3. You should see options to set up a PIN, pattern, or nothing. To disable the lock screen, tap None.

FAQ
  • Can you use a Galaxy Watch to unlock a Samsung phone?

    Currently, that is not an option. However, if you download and install Samsung Flow, you can pair your watch to your PC or tablet. Once your watch is paired, you can use it to unlock your PC or tablet.

  • How do I unlock my Galaxy Watch if I forgot my password?

    If you can't remember the password for your watch, you will need to reset the watch. To reset any version, hold down the Power/Home and Back Button simultaneously until it reboots, and then press the Power/Home button quickly until Select Reboot Mode appears. Finally, select Recovery or Wipe data/Factory reset > Factory data reset, depending on the watch.

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