Samsung Pass is the biometric lock built into Samsung devices — you can turn it off in Settings
Samsung Pass is Samsung's built-in system for storing and using fingerprints, face recognition, and iris scans to unlock your phone and sign into apps. If you no longer want to use it, you can disable it completely through your phone's Settings app. The process takes less than a minute and does not affect your other security features.
Disabling Samsung Pass does not delete your biometric data immediately — it stops the system from using that data to unlock anything. You can turn it back on later if you change your mind. Your PIN, pattern, or password remains active as your backup unlock method.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Biometrics and Security, then Samsung Pass, and toggle it off to disable the entire system.
- You can remove individual biometric methods (fingerprint, face, iris) without disabling Samsung Pass itself if you want to keep some features.
- Turning off Samsung Pass does not erase your stored biometric data — it only stops the system from using it.
- Your PIN, pattern, or password lock remains active and will be your only unlock method once Samsung Pass is off.
Steps to disable Samsung Pass completely
Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap Biometrics and Security (the exact name varies slightly by model — it may say Security and Privacy or Lock Screen and Security).
Tap Samsung Pass. You will see a toggle switch at the top of the screen. Tap it to turn Samsung Pass off. The system will ask you to confirm — tap Turn Off or Disable. Samsung Pass is now disabled on your device.
Once disabled, you will no longer see Samsung Pass as an unlock option on your lock screen. Your phone will use your PIN, pattern, or password instead. Any apps that were set to unlock with Samsung Pass will revert to their standard login screens.
How to remove only specific biometric methods
If you want to keep Samsung Pass but remove just your fingerprint, face, or iris data, you do not have to disable the whole system. Open Settings, go to Biometrics and Security, then Samsung Pass.
Tap the biometric method you want to remove — for example, Fingerprints. Tap Remove or the trash icon. Confirm the removal. That biometric method is now deleted, but Samsung Pass remains on and you can still use any other methods you have set up.
This approach is useful if you want to keep face unlock but remove your fingerprints, or if one of your biometric scans is not working well and you want to delete it without turning off the whole system.
What happens to your data when you disable Samsung Pass
Disabling Samsung Pass does not immediately erase your biometric data from your phone. The fingerprints, face scan, or iris scan you registered remain stored in a secure area of your device called the Knox Vault. However, Samsung Pass stops reading and using that data.
If you re-enable Samsung Pass later, your stored biometric data will still be there and you can start using it again without re-scanning. If you want to permanently delete your biometric data, you can remove each method individually before disabling Samsung Pass, or you can factory reset your phone — though that will erase everything on the device.
Why you might want to disable Samsung Pass
Some people disable Samsung Pass because they prefer a traditional PIN or password for security reasons. Others find that their biometric scans are not reliable — a fingerprint reader that keeps failing or a face unlock that does not work in certain lighting can be frustrating to use.
You might also disable it if you are selling or giving away your phone and want to remove all your biometric data before handing it over. In that case, removing individual biometric methods before disabling Samsung Pass gives you more control over what data you delete.
If you are having trouble with a specific biometric method, you do not have to disable the whole system — you can remove just that method and keep using the others.
Re-enabling Samsung Pass if you change your mind
If you disable Samsung Pass and later want to turn it back on, the process is the same. Open Settings, go to Biometrics and Security, tap Samsung Pass, and toggle it back on. You will need to re-register your biometric data — your old scans are still stored but Samsung Pass will ask you to scan your fingerprint, face, or iris again to confirm it is you.
This re-registration step is a security measure and usually takes just a few seconds per biometric method. Once complete, Samsung Pass will work the same way it did before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling Samsung Pass affect my lock screen PIN or password?
No. Your PIN, pattern, or password remains active and unchanged. Disabling Samsung Pass simply removes the biometric unlock option — your traditional lock method stays in place and is the only way to unlock your phone once Samsung Pass is off.
Will disabling Samsung Pass delete my fingerprints from my phone?
Not immediately. Your biometric data stays stored in the Knox Vault even after you disable Samsung Pass. If you want to permanently delete it, you can remove each biometric method individually before disabling the system, or factory reset your phone.
Can I remove my fingerprint but keep face unlock?
Yes. Open Settings, go to Biometrics and Security, tap Samsung Pass, then tap Fingerprints and select Remove. Your face unlock will continue to work. You can remove any individual biometric method without affecting the others.
What if I forget my PIN after disabling Samsung Pass?
You will need to use your Samsung account or Google account to unlock your phone. If you cannot remember either account password, you may need to contact Samsung support or perform a factory reset, which erases all data on the device.
Does Samsung Pass work with third-party apps?
Some apps support Samsung Pass for login, but not all. Apps that do support it will show a Samsung Pass option on their login screen. If you disable Samsung Pass, those apps will fall back to their standard login methods — username and password, or whatever other login option they offer.