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If you use a Samsung smartphone and frequently forget your lock screen password, you need to be more cautious than ever. The company has completely revamped the lock screen security system in One UI 9.0. While the aim is to protect personal data from unauthorized access, it also comes with a significant warning for users.

Under Samsung's new security system, entering the wrong password repeatedly won't just result in a brief lockout; the waiting period will increase with each failed attempt. If a user makes 13 consecutive incorrect attempts, the phone will lock permanently. The only way to use the device again after this is a factory reset, which will erase all local data stored on the phone.

**Only 13 chances to unlock the phone**
One UI 9.0 sets a specific limit on unlock attempts. After the first five incorrect attempts, the phone locks for one minute. Subsequently, the lockout duration increases with each failed attempt:

5 incorrect attempts: 1-minute lockout
6th attempt: 5 minutes
7th attempt: 15 minutes
8th attempt: 30 minutes
9th attempt: 90 minutes
10th attempt: 4 hours
11th attempt: 12 hours
12th attempt: 24 hours
13th incorrect attempt: Device permanently locked

In this scenario, the phone can only be reactivated via a factory reset, which will permanently erase all local data on the device.

**Not every incorrect entry increments the counter**
Samsung has incorporated a smart mechanism into this system. If a user repeatedly enters the same incorrect PIN, password, or pattern, it is not counted as multiple distinct failed attempts; the counter increases only once for repeated identical incorrect entries. The count of failed attempts advances only when different incorrect PINs or patterns are entered.

Furthermore, as the user approaches the limit, a clear warning will appear on the screen indicating how many attempts remain. 

What should you do to save your data?
Samsung advises users to regularly back up their phones using Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch. If a factory reset ever becomes necessary, the backup will make it easy to recover important data.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.