AT&T Galaxy S8 Unlock phone just so I have to unlock it again?

[tcjohnsson]

I just upgraded from my old Note 4 to an S8+ and am perplexed that I now have to slide to unlock my phone just to get to the password unlock screen. Before, I could just press either the home button or the side power key and instantly access the password unlock screen.

If I reach the time it takes to automatically lock my phone (set to 5 mins), I have to take three steps to access my phone... 1) press the soft key (or side key), 2) swipe and finally, 3) enter my password.

Also, when I have trusted places activated (location set so that when I'm home the phone won't lock) the AOD (always on display) requires me to swipe AFTER I double-tap the round notification icon in order to take me to the application with the outstanding notification. This is also very annoying. If a double tap is all it takes to access my notifications when I'm not in "trusted places", what is the point of adding yet another swipe in there to allow access because I'm at home? Isn't the point of being in a trusted place so you don't have to do more work to access your phone?

You would think that with controls in place to avoid pocket/butt dialing (my Note 4 did not have this and wished it did), Samsung/Google would make it a lot easier to access your phone. Instead they made it harder. Is this just something totally dumb on their part or is there some logical reasoning for this?

On another note, is there an easy way to lock my phone instantly (using a shortcut, etc) to force entering of the password to access it? I have it currently set to 5 mins before it requires a password but I sometimes want to lock it instantly if I feel someone may have access to my phone before 5 mins has lapsed.

 

[Tim1954]

Yes, you can set up to lock instantly with power key. Look in lock screen and security.
Fingerprint unlocks device in one step...

 

[tcjohnsson]

That is not a solution. I have it set to lock after 5 mins of inactivity but am looking for the option to lock it whenever I please (maybe a recommended app?) without having to fumble through all the settings to make that happen sooner. Further, the power key lock option also requires the phone to lock when the screen times out. Making it a useless feature unless you want to have your phone locked all the time.

Fingerprint unlock is not a solution either. I don't want to fumble with that oddly located fingerprint reader that inevitably forces me to smudge up my camera lens several times per hour.

Thank you for responding though.

 

[vwite]

That is not a solution. I have it set to lock after 5 mins of inactivity but am looking for the option to lock it whenever I please (maybe a recommended app?) without having to fumble through all the settings to make that happen sooner. Further, the power key lock option also requires the phone to lock when the screen times out. Making it a useless feature unless you want to have your phone locked all the time.

Fingerprint unlock is not a solution either. I don't want to fumble with that oddly located fingerprint reader that inevitably forces me to smudge up my camera lens several times per hour.

Thank you for responding though.

I don't know if you would also consider it too much work but if you're using nova launcher you can use a gesture to lock the screen simulating a timeout, for example double tap and nova changes the timeout setting for a moment, turn off the pixels for 5 seconds then it will actually sleep the phone but would not require password until 5 minutes or whatever setting you have, and the you use the setting of power button instantly lock for the times you want to lock instantly

 

[jeffmd]

finger print sensor is too much work but typing in password is A-OK! I have no idea what you are really complaining about but it sounds like you are wining just for the sake of wining.

 

[Misterb]

I have my soft home button set so if I press and hold, it brings up the password screen instantly. That's the same amount of steps as your old phone. Look in the soft button settings and you can modify the button to wake it

 

[elmo]

If you have a case, the cutout for the camera lens and fingerprint reader makes it easy to find with out fumbling.

 

[tcjohnsson]

Thank you for that suggestion. I have been with Samsung/Android for well over 10 years and always used the stock launcher. I'd rather make the best of the stock launcher instead of relearning an entirely new one. I know some people think what's the big deal, it's just another swipe! Well to me it's actually a big deal and why I'm here asking for solutions. I guess to each their own!

 

[tcjohnsson]

Thanks. Can you tell me where these settings are? When my phone locks, whether I use the soft key or the power button, the phone takes me to a screen requiring a swipe. Then I have to go to another screen which prompts me for my password. For whatever reason, I can't get rid of that swipe screen. For the last 3.5 years it was never there on my Note 4.

 

[tcjohnsson]

No I'm actually looking for a solution. If I can't find one here oh well, I either decide to deal with it or use another launcher. In addition to not wanting a smudged up camera lens (I take a lot of pics), I don't find the fingerprint reader to be as secure as a password and I don't want to have to put my finger there every time I unlock my phone. I do it at least a hundred times a day (I'm a power user).

 

[tcjohnsson]

Thanks. I have a case but as mentioned above, I prefer a more secure way to unlock my phone and like to keep my camera lens clean.

 

[tcjohnsson]

Just to be clear, I am asking for any possible assistance with two things -

1) While on the AOD (Always On Display) screen, I'd like to disable the "swipe screen to open" screen that pops up after double-tapping the round notification circle. Oddly, the phone only requires this additional swipe when I am in a "trusted area". If I am NOT in a trusted area the "swipe screen to open" screen does not even appear. Double-tapping takes me straight to the message. To me this seems like a bug (why would being in a secure location require a swipe when being out in public not require a swipe); I am hoping for a work around.

2) How to remove the swipe screen requirement (after pressing soft key or power button) before taking me to the password screen. This swipe requirement was never on my Note 4 so was hoping there was a setting or way to remove it.

Thank you again in advance.

 

[tcjohnsson]

Sorry duplicate post.

 

[vwite]

Thank you for that suggestion. I have been with Samsung/Android for well over 10 years and always used the stock launcher. I'd rather make the best of the stock launcher instead of relearning an entirely new one. I know some people think what's the big deal, it's just another swipe! Well to me it's actually a big deal and why I'm here asking for solutions. I guess to each their own!

I understand you, I really hated the extra step of pushing the button and then reading the fingerprint on previous galaxy phones compared to for example the oneplus 3t that as soon as your finger makes contact with the scanner it's already unlocked. It was just an extra step and around 1-2 seconds extra but it was annoying lol. I do like they eliminated the extra step with the new fingerprint sensor but as most of us, I prefer it on the front

 

[vwite]

Thanks. Can you tell me where these settings are? When my phone locks, whether I use the soft key or the power button, the phone takes me to a screen requiring a swipe. Then I have to go to another screen which prompts me for my password. For whatever reason, I can't get rid of that swipe screen. For the last 3.5 years it was never there on my Note 4.

The setting is under display -> navigation bar -> unlock with home button. The double tap will still take you to lockscreen where you have to swipe, but a hard press would take you directly to iris scanner/PIN/password, it's a nice feature

By the way, have you tried iris scanner? it's more secure than the fingerprint and would still be a lot faster than typing a password or pin, I was surprised how fast it works even with contact lenses, sunglasses, in the dark, etc. There is also an option under security and iris scanner that a double tap on the button immediately starts scanning, it won't show you the front camera, just the regular lock screen for a fraction of a second and as long as you're looking at the phone in a good position it will unlock.

 

[Misterb]

Looks like the guy above cleared up how to access the setting I was referring to. Another option is to set up Bluetooth devices as trusted devices. Get yourself a smart watch. Whenever it is on your wrist, it is the security device that allows your phone to be used without a password. Same with the Bluetooth in your car. That way, press power button and swipe or hard button and swipe and you're in. Saves the step of entering a password

 

[tcjohnsson]

The setting is under display -> navigation bar -> unlock with home button. The double tap will still take you to lockscreen where you have to swipe, but a hard press would take you directly to iris scanner/PIN/password, it's a nice feature

By the way, have you tried iris scanner? it's more secure than the fingerprint and would still be a lot faster than typing a password or pin, I was surprised how fast it works even with contact lenses, sunglasses, in the dark, etc. There is also an option under security and iris scanner that a double tap on the button immediately starts scanning, it won't show you the front camera, just the regular lock screen for a fraction of a second and as long as you're looking at the phone in a good position it will unlock.

Awesome thank you! I thought I went through all the settings... but missed this one. Thank you!

It would be great if pressing the hard power button also pulls up the keyboard to enter the password (like it did on my old trusty Note 4 *sigh*) but it looks like Samsung killed that option with Nougat.

Thanks for the suggestion with the Iris scanner option. I tried it and didn't like it because I found that I have to hold my phone very awkwardly (very close to my face and at an odd unnatural angle) to get it to work. It also performed horribly in the sun. It was much easier and much faster to continue to use my password unlock. If Samsung could actually pull up the keyboard immediately (after soft press) to enter the password AND have the iris scanner still (try) do it's thing above, that would be an option. Unfortunately, with Iris scan enabled, I still need to tap the password bar first then enter password. As you can see I am not a very happy camper when I am forced to add an extra step to unlock my phone LOL.

I am still bemused as to why I need to (using AOD) swipe after double tapping when I have Smart Lock and trusted places activated (i.e. no password required). But if I remove the Smart Lock feature I no longer have to swipe - double tap takes me straight to the message. It's especially annoying because with any option of Smart Lock enabled, the swipe is an inconsistent requirement. For example, if I am at home or at another trusted place I am forced to swipe. However, once I leave my house and get into my car I don't need to swipe anymore. This would be annoying to anyone that uses the AOD notification shortcut. I absolutely love this new AOD feature but this inconsistent swipe requirement is a bit of a buzzkill. I'm hoping this is a bug or Samsung removes the swipe requirement because of feedback from customers. Seems entirely pointless.

 

[tcjohnsson]

Looks like the guy above cleared up how to access the setting I was referring to. Another option is to set up Bluetooth devices as trusted devices. Get yourself a smart watch. Whenever it is on your wrist, it is the security device that allows your phone to be used without a password. Same with the Bluetooth in your car. That way, press power button and swipe or hard button and swipe and you're in. Saves the step of entering a password

Thank you. Yes, I tried that option too as I have a smart watch. It was actually the first Smart Lock option I tried right after unboxing my S8+. Unfortunately my smart watch isn't very smart... I have a Garmin Fenix 5 and for some reason it cannot be added or recognized.

 

[hparsons]

How about turning off AOD? That would make the behavior closer to your Note 4.