Google Device Protection on your Galaxy phone or tablet

If your phone or tablet is ever lost or stolen, Google Device Protection protects your device from unauthorized factory data resets by using your Google account information to verify your identity.

Man sitting in cafe and looking at phone

Google Device Protection on your Galaxy phone or tablet

How does Google Device Protection work?

When you add a Google account to your phone or tablet and set a Lock screen, Google Device Protection is automatically enabled. When an unauthorized reset is attempted on your device, it will require the username and password of the last Google account that was used before the reset. If the wrong information is entered, the device will not unlock.

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Unlock Google Device Protection

Google Sign in screen on a Galaxy phone

When your phone or tablet is reset using the Recovery menu, it will ask you for your Google account information. Simply enter it the same way you normally do.
But here's what to do if the situation is a bit complicated:

If you cannot remember any of your Google account information, you can send your device, along with proof of purchase, to an authorized Samsung Service Center.

Depending on the version of Android on your device, you may be prompted to enter your previous screen lock PIN or password to unlock your device.
If you have forgotten your password, you’ll be able to create a new password through the Google website. However, Google may require a 24-hour cool-down period before the new password will unlock your device.
If you have multiple Google accounts and don't know which account was set up with the device, you can visit the Google Device Manager and check to see if the phone or tablet is in the list of devices registered to the account.

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Reset without triggering Google Device Protection

If you want to perform a factory reset without triggering Google Device Protection, you need to reset it through Settings. If your device is reset through the Recovery menu, your Google account and password is required to unlock the device after a factory reset.

Important

Please save any information you need prior to the factory reset because your personal information may not be recovered. If you have encrypted the microSD card, you must decrypt it before resetting the phone. Otherwise, your phone will not be able to read the data on the card. From Settings, search for and select Decrypt SD card, and then follow the on-screen prompts.

Before you perform a factory reset, be sure to back up your personal data, so you don't lose it all.

From Settings, search for and select Factory data reset.
Next, tap Factory data reset again, and then review the information.
When you're ready, swipe to and tap Reset.
If you have a security lock set on the phone, you will be asked to enter the credentials.
To continue with the reset and delete all information stored on your phone, tap Delete all.
From there, you will be required to enter your Samsung account's password if you have added a Samsung account to the phone.
Your phone will reset; when it turns back on, it will start from the initial setup screen.

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