Note10 Lite unlocking in pocket

[DrStirbitch]

I've seen a number of similar posts for other phones and tried various suggestions, but nothing helps. So I'm summarising my precise issue here, in the hope someone can help.

It's a Note10 Lite. Android 13. All latest updates and security fixes downloaded (Green tick by "Security and privacy -> Updates". Problems started in the last few weeks, but I cannot remember precisely when.

If I lock the screen, and carry it around in my pocket, the phone will unlock within around half an hour, sometimes more quickly. So I may suddenly hear music playing from my pocket, or when I take the phone out out random apps will be open or phone calls attempted. I stress that I LOCK the phone, and it UNLOCKS automatically - I am not talking about the screen merely being blank when I put it in my pocket and it waking up.

This are some of the apparently relevant points to make:

There is no 3rd party screen protector.

I typically lock the phone using the on/off side button, so "Lock instantly with side key" is enabled.

"Screen lock type" is "Password, Fingerprint" (and I really want it to stay that way)

"Google Smart Lock" is not activated, and when I briefly did activate it to check, all its features were turned off anway.

"Accidental touch protection" is enabled (though I don't think this should affect unlocking anyway)

Did I forget any relevant setting? Apart from being annoying, this is a SERIOUS SECURITY ISSUE. Even if I have a setting or two wrong, it should not be possible to get the phone into this state.

Thank you for any help. Might a visit to a Samsung Experience Store be useful?

[Pugs1957]

Hope this helps Settings- Advanced Features - Motions and Gestures there is an option (which was defaulted to ON) to Double Tap To Turn On Screen. Turn this off.

[AndrewL]

@DrStirbitch: I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this issue, as I understand your concerns. You seem to have covered all the bases with the troubleshooting steps you have attempted, so this is a bit of a difficult one. To eliminate the possibility that the issue is stemming from your Lock screen widgets, please head to Settings > Lock screen > Widgets, and toggle any active options off from here. Although accidental touches are not likely to be the source of the problem, you may also wish to try carrying the phone in another pocket, or a bag, to see if the issue persists. Also, next time you lock the phone via the Side key, tap the Side key again and double check that your Lock screen security is enabled. 

[DrStirbitch]

Thank you, but I've just tried that, and it didn't work.

I think the double tap options there, only apply to the switching the screen on and off, and have nothing to do with the lock screen.

[DrStirbitch]

Thank you for the reply.

I only had one lock screen widget active - "Next Alarm". I've turned it off now as I don't want it anyway. I doubt it will make a difference as I don't knowingly use alarms, but we'll see.

Recently, I have always been double-checking that the lock screen is on before putting the phone in my pocket. And it always is.

I think it MUST be either accidental touches or movement that is doing this, as the phone does not unlock when it is just lying around in the house for example. And I certainly will experiment with different ways of carrying my phone.

[DrStirbitch]

Further to my previous reply.....

I used to carry my phone in the side-pocket of my trousers, with the screen towards my hip. I have now discovered that if I have the screen facing outwards my phone does not unlock.

So it must be something to do with touching the screen, but what exactly?

I have a partial workaround, but there remains the fact that security is not working. Presumably if my phone was stolen and touched in a certain way it would unlock for the thief, and I am not impressed.

I have just found this page, and will be reporting the security issue:
https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityReporting.smsb

[DrStirbitch · Accepted solution]

Well, that link was useless, because it was not for THAT sort of security issue, and I had to go through "normal" Samsung support to get a solution. After literally hours of searching I finally found a phone number hidden away in some dark corner of a website, but I never got around to calling it. (In the UK, it's 0333 000 0333 if anyone is interested.)

Anyhow, for some time I was having problems getting one of my finger prints to authenticate me, and assumed it was because the finger tip had got some scratches/scarring, and that the problems would eventually go away as the fingertip healed. They never did, so I rescanned that digit, and bingo - the issue with my phone ulocking in my pocket went away.

So apparently there is bug in the fingerprint scanning software that caused the fabric in my pocket to unlock the screen. I am still not impressed that this could happen, and the bug must be still there, but I am considering my problem solved. And if Samsung is sufficiently interested in fixing it, all the information I now have is in this thread.

tl;dr - If your phone is unlocking in your pocket, try rescanning your fingerprints.