Accidentally locking yourself out of your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re worried about losing all your important data. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to unlock your tablet without having to resort to a full factory reset.
Key Takeaways
- Use Samsung’s Find My Mobile service to remotely unlock your tablet
- Reset your password using Android Device Manager
- Try a lock screen removal tool for a software-based solution
- Contact Samsung customer service for help with unlocking
- Only use a factory reset as an absolute last resort
Can I Unlock My Galaxy Tab S7 Plus Without Losing Data?
Yes, it is possible to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus without losing data. Sign in with your Samsung account credentials, select your locked tablet from the list of registered devices, and click on the “Unlock my screen” option. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the lock screen while keeping your data intact.
Method 1: Use Samsung’s Find My Mobile Service
Samsung’s Find My Mobile service allows you to remotely unlock your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus if you’ve previously registered it with your Samsung account. Here’s how:
- Go to findmymobile.samsung.com and log in with your Samsung account credentials.
- Select your locked Galaxy Tab S7 Plus from the list of registered devices.
- Click the “Unlock” button to remove the lock screen passcode without any data loss.
Method 2: Reset Password Using Android Device Manager
If you’ve linked your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus with your Google account, you can use Android Device Manager to reset your lock screen password:
- Navigate to google.com/android/devicemanager and sign in with the Google account associated with your tablet.
- Select your locked tablet from the device list and click the “Lock” option.
- Enter a new temporary password and click “Lock” again to reset your lock screen to the new password.
Method 3: Use a Lock Screen Removal Tool
There are several third-party software tools available that can help you remove the lock screen on your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus without losing data. One popular option is dr.fone – Screen Unlock:
- Download and install the dr.fone – Screen Unlock software on your Windows PC or Mac.
- Connect your locked Galaxy Tab S7 Plus to the computer using a compatible USB cable.
- Select the “Remove Screen Lock” feature in dr.fone and choose the “Remove Screen Lock without Data Loss” option if available for your specific tablet model.
- Click the “Start” button and let the software unlock your tablet while preserving your data.
Method 4: Contact Samsung Customer Service
If you’re still having trouble unlocking your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, you can reach out to Samsung’s customer support for assistance:
- Call Samsung’s customer service hotline and explain that your tablet is permanently locked and you need help unlocking it.
- Provide proof of purchase, such as a receipt or invoice, to verify that you are the rightful owner of the device.
- Request an unlock code or service from Samsung support to reset your lock screen passcode without wiping the tablet.
Last Resort: Factory Reset Your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
If none of the above methods work, your final option is to perform a full factory reset. This will completely erase all data on your tablet, so only do this if you’ve backed up any important files first.
To factory reset your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus:
- Power off your tablet completely.
- Press and hold both the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until you see the Samsung logo appear.
- Release the buttons, then immediately press the Volume Down button to enter recovery mode.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll through the recovery menu until “Wipe data/factory reset” is highlighted, then press the Power button to select it.
- Confirm the factory reset and wait for the process to complete before setting up your tablet again.
Factory reset with Samsung Smart Switch:
- Download and install Samsung Smart Switch on your PC or Mac.
- Launch Smart Switch and click the “Backup/Restore” card.
- Connect your locked Galaxy Tab S7 Plus to the computer with a USB cable. If prompted on the tablet, tap “Allow” to permit the connection.
- Once connected, click “More” in the top-right corner of Smart Switch, and then “Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.”
- Click “Device initialization” on the next screen. Read the warning carefully, then click “OK.”
- Enter your Samsung account password to confirm the factory reset. Click “OK” again.
- The reset process will begin and may take several minutes. Don’t disconnect your tablet during this time.
- Once finished, your Tab S7 Plus will reboot in an unlocked state with factory settings. Set it up again from the beginning.
Remember, factory resetting will eliminate all data on the tablet. Backups are crucial to avoid permanently losing important files.
Backing Up and Restoring Data
Smart device owners should regularly back up their data to safeguard it in situations like a lost/stolen device or a factory reset. For Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, there are a few convenient backup and restore options.
Automatic Google backups:
If your Tab S7 Plus is logged into a Google account (which it likely is), there’s a built-in backup system that runs automatically in the background. This saves data like contacts, calendar events, photos, and email to Google’s cloud. Much of this synced data is then viewable/restorable through the respective Google service websites (e.g. contacts.google.com).
Manual Google backups:
To initiate a manual Google backup on your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus:
- Go to Settings > Accounts and backup
- Tap “Backup and restore”
- Under the Google Account section, tap “Back up my data” and toggle it on
- Tap “Backup account” and select the Google account you want to backup to
- You can also tap “Google Account” on this page to see more granular backup/sync settings for the various Google services.
- To restore this synced data to your Tab S7 Plus after a reset, simply log into the same Google account during the tablet setup process.
Samsung Cloud backups:
Similar to Google backups, if you’re signed into a Samsung account on your tablet, you have access to Samsung Cloud. This service syncs data like contacts, calendars, photos, and documents to Samsung’s cloud storage.
To enable Samsung Cloud and initiate a backup:
- Go to Settings > Accounts and backup
- Tap “Samsung Cloud”
- Toggle on the items you want backed up like “Contacts” and “Calendar”
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner and tap “Sync now” to begin backing up
- To monitor backup progress, tap each data category under “Sync items”
- To restore from Samsung Cloud after unlocking/resetting, log into the same Samsung account during device setup.
Samsung Smart Switch backups:
In addition to factory resetting, Samsung Smart Switch computer software can also backup and restore your Tab S7 Plus in a more comprehensive manner. It can preserve data like settings, apps, and files that might not be saved by Google/Samsung cloud syncing.
- Install and launch Smart Switch on your PC/Mac.
- Connect your tablet to the computer via USB cable and tap “Allow” on the device if prompted
- In Smart Switch, click “Backup” in the top-left. Deselect any items you don’t want backed up.
- Click “OK” to begin backing up. Don’t disconnect your tablet until it finishes.
- To restore a Smart Switch backup after unlocking/resetting your Tab S7 Plus, reconnect it to the computer and choose “Restore” in Smart Switch.
- Select the backup you want to restore from and click “OK” to start. Your tablet will reboot when done.
For the most thorough preservation, it’s best to use multiple backup methods. For example, enable automatic cloud backups and periodically create a local Smart Switch backup.
Tips to Avoid Getting Locked Out Again
Now that you’ve successfully unlocked your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, it’s important to take precautions to avoid getting locked out again in the future. Here are some tips:
- Choose a lock screen method that balances security and convenience for your needs. A strong password will prevent unauthorized access but might be annoying to enter each time.
- If using a pattern/PIN/password lock, be sure to choose something memorable but not overly simplistic or easily guessable. Avoid birthdates, basic patterns, or other common choices.
- Enable biometric unlocking, like the Tab S7 Plus’ facial recognition or fingerprint scanner, so you have a backup way to unlock if you forget your PIN/pattern/password.
- Be very careful before letting others use your tablet, especially if you have a simple unlock method. Strongly consider adding a separate Guest profile so they can use the tablet without your data.
- If you’re prone to forgetting passwords, consider using a reputable password manager app to create strong passwords and store them securely.
- Always keep your Google and Samsung accounts up to date with recovery methods like backup emails and phone numbers. This makes it much easier to regain access if you get locked out.
- Enable Samsung’s Find My Mobile service in case you need to unlock your tablet remotely. Also enable Google’s Find My Device for Android.
- Regularly backup your Tab S7 Plus to the cloud and/or a computer. That way, your data is safe even in a worst case scenario that requires a factory reset.
Table: Overview of Unlock Method
Method | Data Loss? | Requirements |
Google Account | No | Device logged into Google account |
Reset Google Password | No | Access to Google account recovery email/phone |
Find My Mobile | No | Find My Mobile enabled before lock out |
Factory Reset | Yes | None, erases all data on device |
Conclusion
Locking yourself out of your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus doesn’t have to mean losing all your valuable data. By using Samsung’s own Find My Mobile service, Android Device Manager, lock screen removal software, or contacting customer support, you have several options for regaining access to your tablet while keeping your files intact. Only use a full factory reset if all other methods have failed and you’ve safely backed up your important data first. With these tips, you can get your Galaxy Tab S7 Plus unlocked and get back to using your tablet as normal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I unlock my Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus without losing any data?
Yes, you can unlock your Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus without losing data by using methods such as Samsung’s Find My Mobile, Google’s Find My Device, or Smart Lock. These methods allow you to regain access to your device without performing a factory reset.
What should I do if I forgot my Samsung account credentials?
If you’ve forgotten your Samsung account credentials, you can try using Google’s Find My Device if your tablet is connected to your Google account. Alternatively, you can recover your Samsung account details by visiting the Samsung account recovery page online.
Is there a risk of data loss when using Recovery Mode to unlock my tablet?
Yes, using Recovery Mode comes with a high risk of data loss if not done correctly. Recovery Mode can lead to a factory reset, which would erase all data on the device. It is recommended to use this method only as a last resort.
How can I prevent getting locked out of my Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus in the future?
To prevent future lockouts, set up Smart Lock with trusted devices or locations and regularly back up your data using Samsung Cloud or Google Drive. Additionally, consider using multiple unlock methods, such as fingerprints or face recognition, for easier access.
Can I unlock my tablet if it’s not connected to the internet?
If your tablet is not connected to the internet, remote unlocking methods like Samsung’s Find My Mobile or Google’s Find My Device won’t work. In this case, you may need to use Recovery Mode, but be aware of the potential risk of data loss.