Setting a screen lock helps keep your phone, your accounts, and your texts safe if your phone is lost or stolen.

Set up a PIN

  1. Settings → Security → Screen Lock.
  2. Choose PIN.
  3. Enter a 4–16 digit PIN and tap Next.
  4. Re-enter the PIN and tap Confirm.
  5. Pick whether notifications show on your lock screen (show all, hide sensitive, or none).

Set up a pattern

  1. Settings → Security → Screen Lock → Pattern.
  2. Draw a pattern connecting at least 4 dots.
  3. Tap Next and draw it again to confirm.

Set up fingerprint unlock

  1. Settings → Security → Fingerprint.
  2. If you don't already have a PIN or pattern, you'll be asked to set one as a backup.
  3. Follow the prompts to scan your fingerprint. Lift and re-press your finger several times until your phone registers it.

You may still be asked for your PIN or pattern after a restart, or after several failed fingerprint attempts.

Set up face unlock

  1. Settings → Security → Face Unlock.
  2. Unlock your phone if prompted.
  3. Hold your phone in front of you and keep your face inside the outline. Hold still until it finishes scanning.

Worth knowing: Face unlock is convenient but less secure than a PIN. Someone who looks similar to you may be able to unlock your phone.

Re-scan your face or fingerprint

If your phone stops recognizing you:

  1. Settings → Security → Face Unlock or Fingerprint.
  2. Unlock your phone.
  3. Tap Redo Face Scan (or delete the old fingerprint and add a new one).

Turn off face unlock

  1. Settings → Security → Face Unlock.
  2. Unlock your phone.
  3. Tap Delete Face Data.

You can re-enable it any time by re-scanning your face.

I'm locked out of my phone

If you've forgotten your PIN/pattern/password and can't unlock your phone:

  1. Keep the phone powered on, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi. Do not restart it.
  2. Contact Thrive Mobile support. In many cases we can reset your phone remotely — but only if it's powered on and connected.
  3. After a remote reset, your phone returns to factory settings. You'll need to set it up again and sign back into your Google account.

If you can't reach Wi-Fi, contact support anyway — we'll talk through your options.

Common questions

Can I use more than one unlock method?

Yes. Most phones let you combine a PIN with a fingerprint or face unlock.

Which method is most secure?

A PIN or password is the most secure. Fingerprints are also strong. Face unlock is convenient but the weakest of the three.

My fingerprint stopped working.

Re-scan it: Settings → Security → Fingerprint → delete the old one and add a new one.

When to contact support

  • You're locked out and can't unlock your phone
  • Your fingerprint or face scan keeps failing after re-registering