Protesting OneUI 9.0 Lockout and Mandatory Factory Reset - Suggested Solution

Thanks Chummy128.

It's really the most elegant solution here.

For those who want the enhanced security, great. Many enterprises enforce wipe policies after x number of failed login attempts.

But I'm not an enterprise. For those like us who know it's highly likely to cause serious and irreversible problems and data loss, Samsung just needs to add the toggle to disable it.

I also feel the way they've handled this so far, without the necessary transparency and choice, is completely disrespectful to their customers who have spent so much money on their products. I was looking forward to the 9.0 update until they pulled the rug out from under us with this critical change.

There's still plenty of time for Samsung to correct this situation, if they want to listen to their customers' real-world concerns.

In my humble opinion, Samsung has not demonstrated this particular characteristic recently; instead, it appears their new approach involves a lack of responsiveness. In other words, deaf ears.

Robin621k, thank you for your thoughtful comments and keeping it on a professional level.

Yes, I speak from direct experience here. I have encountered this exact problem in years past with other devices that enforced this type of draconian lockout that resulted in a factory reset to resolve the situation.

I have a close family member who constantly forgets their passwords, passcodes, pins, etc. Sometimes I have them and can unlock them, other times they change them in the interim and then forget them. As the resident tech support person in our family, guess who gets to deal with all the fallout from that?

And the sad part is that some of these devices never leave the house. So they were not at the higher risk of having a device out in public that could be stolen, left behind, lost, etc.

I believe in having strong security and external backups, no argument there.

However, there are some types of data on mobile devices that are not easily backed up, or not allowed to be backed up without digging behind the scenes with ADB commands. Been there, done that.

All I'm asking for is to give consumers the choice. Because there are times when security gets in the way of normal living and real data loss occurs. The vast majority of people do not carry around their backups in their pockets when they are away from home. I respect your abilities to do so, but Samsung's change in this regard is not a workable solution for many.

Again, I don't have a problem with implementing stronger security features in general, but I draw the line where they could result in real data loss and lack of consumer choice, especially when they could have been prevented with a simple toggle.

You raised a good point in passing, that Samsung has not provided an explanation for this change. So there was an arbitrary decision and impactful change made without providing any transparency or likely any input.

I greatly dislike when tech companies make decisions that impact real people by removing choice. Data privacy is much the same way, as strong and effective security is required, but in many jurisdictions it is just as much, if not more, about choice and meaningful consent.

I switched from Apple iPads to Samsung tablets because I needed more flexibility, choice, and capability, not less features in a more locked-down, restrictive system. Many Android users feel the same.

Thank you for your suggestions. I had already provided feedback through the Members app before posting here. I wanted to get as much coverage and notice to Samsung so it gets the attention it needs.

I appreciated the email link to the CEO, as I did not have that. Thanks.

You're welcome.

If a device never leaves the home, there is the option of turning off pin or password in security section of lockscreen, choose none for pin, pattern or password. You do however need it for setting up the device.

I will never understand the pin, pattern password forgetting , unless there is a medical issue. You have to enter them a couple of times a day, even if you use extended unlock.

It was reported here:
https://www.androidpolice.com/forget-your-pin-samsungs-one-ui-9-update-could-factory-reset-your-phone/

Official Samsung publication:

https://www.samsung.com/sa_en/support/mobile-devices/one-ui-9-lockscreen-security-policy/

There is a table showing what happens after so many failed attempts, including the escalating lockout durations. Apparently, entering the same wrong pin or password twice only counts as 1 attempt. But that doesn't matter if you can't remember it, eventually it's going to get factory reset.

Having just seen the official Samsung Post above, it raises the question: Will this only be effective for new devices "launched with" OneUI 9.0 (see the official language below), or will it apply to all devices that are upgradable to it?

If it's the latter, then ironically this is going to result in a number of users intentionally NOT updating to OneUI 9.0, therefore making their devices LESS SECURE over time, not more. Decision makers often forget the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Per Samsung:

"Starting from devices launched with One UI 9.0, Samsung has implemented stricter lock screen security measures to better safeguard your personal data against unauthorised brute-force attacks (continuous random guessing of passwords). Please note that if you exceed the maximum number of allowed attempts, your device will be permanently locked, and you will need to perform a full factory reset to use it again. These policy changes help prevent data breaches but require extra care when entering your security credentials.

Please make sure to remember your PIN, Pattern, or Password."

And yet another calling for an option to turn it off, just like I said:

https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/07/samsung-one-ui-9-lockscreen-security-13-attempts-limit.html

This will probably go into effect when stable rolls out.

? Not quite sure what you were trying to say.

Oops, the app was open in my pocket, but post.
It could stand for Better Business Bureau!

😂 😂 😂 😂