A72 randomly makes 2 beeps and shows PIN entry screen to unlock the phone

[IanT65]

My A72 is randomly making 2 slightly different beeps (beep bip is the only way I can think to describe it) while locked & not in use. When I open the cover it is showing the unlock screen to enter my PIN.

Since I haven't touched the phone at all I'm wondering what this means. I certainly haven't touched the buttons to unlock the phone so it's a little worrying that something appears to be causing it to show the PIN input screen.

Can anyone enlighten me please?

[johnz237]

Hi! Welcome to the samsung members!

May sound a little odd- try turning off NFC and see if it occures again

[IanT65]

Thanks johnz237,

I'll attempt that soon when I'm not going to be using NFC for a while. It's only happening every week or fortnight which makes it a little difficult as I use NFC for payments etc.

[lminvti]

Hi @IanT65 and warm welcome to the community 👋

Turning off NFC and turning on when needed should help.

Here's some people with similar issues, turning NFC seemed to helped:

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/other-galaxy-s-series/screen-unlock-beep/td-p/1154640?src=ShareB...

https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/galaxy-note-series/sound-when-unlocking-phone/td-p/1288558?src=S...

[IanT65]

Thanks for the links @lminvti but they are when the poster is unlocking their phone which isn't the case here, I'll read them though.

Why didn't I think of turning it on only when needed? Great idea.

[johnz237]

Are you using any magsafe? Cards kept nearly? Galaxy watch? These can trigger noises via thr nfc chip

[IanT65]

None of those, nothing that would be NFC related, the phone is on my desk and the only thing anywhere near to it is my monitor, printer & a speaker.

[johnz237]

Hm. Maybe try turning on accidental touch in settings?

[IanT65]

That's already on and nothing is touching or moving the phone.

[IanT65]

Well, I think I've worked out the culprit. 

When at home Google Home is responding to "Hey Google" as expected but the phone is also responding "OK but for that you'll have to unlock the phone" as I had to disable the phone from responding when locked as both devices were responding most of the time, this is then showing the lock screen, so nothing nefarious is happening.

It seems that the setting doesn't totally stop it responding since it says to unlock the phone every time. The only solution would appear to be disabling the microphone but doing so manually will be bothersome. I can't find an option in Google Routines or Bixby.

There are apps that will block the microphone but does anyone know of one that can disable the mic except for phone calls but only when at a location or on a specific network? That way it would disable the microphone when I arrive home and enable when I leave. There was one mentioned on reddit 3 years ago but since all the apps are called "Microphone Blocker" having the name doesn't really help find it. Or is there a Bixby routine that I've overlooked?