Samsung Galaxy Tabs For Dummies
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Both the Samsung Galaxy Note and Samsung Galaxy tablet feature a basic lock screen: Simply slide your finger across the touchscreen and the tablet is unlocked and ready to use. If you prefer to have a lock that’s not so easy to pick, you can choose from one of several types of secure lock screens: Pattern, PIN, and Password, as well as the less secure Face and Voice lock screens.

How to remove the screen lock on your Samsung Galaxy tablet

You use the Screen Lock window not only to place a lock on the tablet but also to remove existing locks.

After visiting the Screen Lock window, you can choose the None option to remove all screen locks. To restore the original screen lock, choose Swipe.

How to set a PIN on your Samsung Galaxy tablet

Perhaps the most common and (according to the Screen Lock window) the second most secure method of locking the tablet is to use a PIN, or personal identification number. This type of screen lock is also employed as a backup for the less-secure screen unlocking methods.

A PIN lock is a code between 4 and 16 numbers long. It contains only numbers, 0 through 9. Choose PIN from the list of locks.

Use the onscreen keyboard to type your PIN once, and touch the Continue button. Type the PIN again to confirm that you know it. Touch OK. The next time you turn on or wake up the tablet, you’ll need to type that PIN to get access.

To disable the PIN, reset the security level.

How to assign a password to your Samsung Galaxy tablet

The most secure — and therefore the most arduous — way to lock the tablet is to apply a full-on password. Unlike a PIN, a password can contain numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters.

Set a password by choosing Password from the Screen Lock window. The password you select must be at least four characters long. Longer passwords are more secure.

You’re prompted to type the password whenever you unlock the tablet or whenever you try to change the screen lock. Touch the OK button to accept the password you’ve typed.

How to add owner info text to your Samsung Galaxy tablet

When you can no longer contain your desire to scribble text on the tablet’s lock screen, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Settings app.

  2. Choose Lock Screen.

    If need be, first touch the Device category atop the screen.

  3. On the right side of the screen, choose Lock Screen Widgets.

  4. Choose Owner Information.

  5. Type text in the box.

    You can type more than one line of text, though the information is displayed on the lock screen as a single line.

  6. Ensure that the Show Owner Info on Lock Screen option is selected.

  7. Touch the OK button.

Whatever text you type in the box appears on the lock screen. Therefore, it is recommended you type something useful, as the command suggests: your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, for example. This way, should you lose your tablet and an honest person finds it, that person can get it back to you.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Dan Gookin combined his love of writing with his gizmo fascination nearly 30 years ago to produce more than 160 informative, entertaining books demystifying technology. Perhaps his most famous is DOS For Dummies, published in 1991, which became the world's fastest-selling computer book and launched the entire For Dummies franchise.

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