It keeps adding hours before I can try a password again. The bad part is, I don’t even know what the password is. I’ve been without a phone now for 4 days. Does anyone know how to get the phone opened?
Norton App Lock?
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
End-of-Life announcement for Norton App Lock
Please review: https://community.norton.com/t/norton-locked-me-out-of-my-samsung-galaxy-s23/513569/6
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Norton 360 for Mobile (the current app) has shifted focus and no longer includes dedicated Anti-Theft tools like remote lock, find, alarm, or erase.
Current Features in Norton 360 for Mobile
- Primarily malware scanning, Genie Scam Protection, Wi-Fi Security, VPN, App Advisor, dark web monitoring, and data breach alerts.
- No remote device management (lock/find/erase) as of recent updates
What Happened to Anti-Theft?
- These features were part of the older Norton Mobile Security app, which was discontinued around 2021–2022.
- Legacy devices with the old app installed may still have active Anti-Theft protections (e.g., device admin privileges), causing locks even today.
- Norton recommends upgrading to Norton 360, but old locks persist until manually removed.
Why Your Phone Might Still Be Locked
- Legacy Device Admin: If Norton Mobile Security was previously enabled, it granted “device administrator” status, enabling locks via failed attempts, SIM changes, or remote commands—even post-uninstall.
- Incomplete Uninstallation: Common issue—requires deactivation in Android Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps > Deactivate Norton.
- Account-Linked Lock: Old Norton account triggers could remain if not cleared via my.norton.com (Dashboard > Secure Device > Remove).
Quick Fix Steps
- On the locked phone: Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps > Deactivate Norton (if listed).
- From another device: Log into
my.norton.com > Devices > Select phone > Remove/Wipe lock.
- Factory reset as last resort (erases data).
If it’s not legacy Norton, it could be Samsung/Google locks mimicking it.
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
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Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
Updated Guide: Unlocking Your Samsung Galaxy S23+
Since modern Norton 360 for Mobile no longer includes remote locking features, a “Norton Lock” on a newer device like the S23+ is usually caused by either the standalone Norton App Lock or legacy settings migrated from an older phone. Here is the updated, accurate way to regain access.
1. Check for Norton App Lock (Modern) If you can access your home screen but specific apps (like Gallery or Settings) are locked with a Norton-branded screen, you are likely using the Norton App Lock tool.
- Try your Pattern/PIN: This app usually uses a separate pattern or PIN from your main lock screen.
- Forgot the Pattern?: Tap the three dots (menu) or “Forgot Pattern” on the lock screen. You can reset it using your linked Google Account credentials or by answering your security question.
- Safe Mode: If you are totally stuck, booting the phone into Safe Mode will temporarily disable Norton App Lock, allowing you to uninstall it via Settings.
2. Use Samsung “SmartThings Find” (Recommended) Since this is a Samsung Galaxy S23+, this is your best chance to unlock the phone without losing data, provided you have a Samsung account linked and “Remote Unlock” was previously enabled.
- Visit the Site: Go to
smartthingsfind.samsung.com.
- Sign In: Use your Samsung Account credentials.
- Unlock Command: Select your S23+ and click the Unlock icon. This will remotely reset your screen lock (PIN, Pattern, and Biometrics) so you can get back in immediately
3. Google “Find My Device” If the Samsung method isn’t available, you can use Google’s universal tool. Warning: This will perform a factory reset and erase all data on the phone.
- Access the Tool: Go to
google.com/android/find.
- Wipe Device: Select your device and choose Erase Device.
- Restore: After the wipe, you can restore your apps and data from your last Google Drive or Samsung Cloud backup
4. Legacy Norton Portal (Only for older accounts) If your “Norton Lock” is truly the full-screen device lock from the discontinued Norton Mobile Security (legacy), you must use the web portal:
- Log in: Visit
- Remove Device: Go to the “Devices” or “Anti-Theft” tab. If your device appears there, look for a View Passcode or Remove/Unlock command.
- Note: Because this feature is discontinued, this portal may no longer communicate with newer S23+ devices
.
5. Last Resort: Hardware Factory Reset If the phone is offline and remote tools won’t work, you must manually wipe the hardware:
- Power Off: Hold Volume Down + Power until the screen goes black.
- Recovery Mode: Immediately hold Volume Up + Power until the Samsung logo appears.
- Wipe Data: Use Volume buttons to select Wipe data/factory reset and press Power to confirm.
- FRP Lock: After resetting, you must log in with the original Google Account synced to the phone to pass Factory Reset Protection.
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
End-of-Life announcement for Norton App Lock
AI sourced content may make mistakes
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
Unlocking Your Samsung Galaxy S23+ (Norton Lockout)
While modern Norton 360 apps no longer have a device lock feature, this is likely caused by legacy Norton Anti-Theft settings or the Norton App Lock tool.
1. Retrieve the Passcode via Norton Portal
If a legacy version of Norton triggered this lock, the phone is looking for a specific Norton-generated passcode, not your usual PIN.
- Sign In: Visit
- Locate Device: Go to the Dashboard and select your Samsung Galaxy S23+.
- Get Code: Look for an option that says Anti-Theft or View Passcode. If a lock was triggered, the 4-digit or 6-digit code needed to unlock your device will be listed there
2. Samsung SmartThings Find (No Data Loss)
This is the most effective way for Galaxy users to bypass a lock without erasing the phone.
- Access: Go to
- Unlock: After signing in with your Samsung account, select your S23+ from the list and click the Unlock icon.
- Result: This remotely removes all screen lock information (PIN, Pattern, Biometrics) on the phone so you can set a new one
3. Safe Mode (If it’s “Norton App Lock”)
If you can see your home screen but a Norton window pops up when you try to open apps, you likely have the Norton App Lock active.
- Boot into Safe Mode: Power off the phone. Hold Power + Volume Down until the Samsung logo appears.
- Disable App: In Safe Mode, third-party apps like Norton are disabled. Go to Settings > Apps > Norton App Lock and uninstall it or clear its data to remove the lock
.
4. Google Find My Device (Wipes Data)
If the phone is not responding to Samsung’s tools, you can use Google to reset it.
- Access: Go to
- Erase: Select your S23+ and choose Erase Device.
- Important: This will delete everything on the phone but will completely remove the lock. You will need your Google account password to set the phone up again afterward
5. Manual Hardware Reset (Last Resort)
If the lockout timer is too long to wait, you can force a reset using the physical buttons:
- Turn off the phone (hold Volume Down + Power if it’s stuck).
- Connect it to a computer via USB cable (required for some newer Samsung models to enter recovery).
- Hold Volume Up + Power until the recovery menu appears.
- Use volume buttons to select Wipe data/factory reset and press Power to confirm.
- Note: After the reset, you must log in with the original Google account that was on the phone to pass the security check.
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
AI sourced content may make mistakes
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
It might seem impossible for a phone released in 2023 to be affected by software features discontinued years ago, but on Android, “zombie” settings from old devices are a common culprit.
If your S23+ is showing a “Norton Lock,” it is almost certainly due to one of the following three technical scenarios:
1. The “Smart Switch” Migration (Most Likely)
When you set up your S23+, you likely used Samsung Smart Switch or Google Cloud Restore to move your data from your old phone.
- The Problem: These tools don’t just move photos; they move apps and System Permissions.
- The Result: If your old phone had the legacy “Norton Mobile Security” app with Device Administrator permissions active, those permissions (which allow the app to lock the screen) may have migrated to your new S23+. Even if the app isn’t fully compatible, the system-level “Lock” instruction remains embedded in your phone’s security settings.
2. Triggering a “SIM Card Change” Security Event
Legacy Norton Anti-Theft had a feature called SIM Card Lock. It would automatically lock the phone if it detected a new SIM card.
- The Scenario: If you moved your SIM card from an old phone (where Norton was set up) into your new S23+, the legacy settings (migrated via the cloud) might have flagged the “new” hardware as a theft attempt, triggering the lock.
- The Password: In this case, it is looking for the Norton Anti-Theft PIN you created years ago, not your current Samsung PIN.
3. Confusion with “Norton App Lock”
Norton still offers a standalone app called Norton App Lock. Unlike the unified Norton 360 app, this tool is specifically designed to lock the screen or individual apps with a separate PIN or Pattern.
- The Scenario: If you installed this app on your S23+ to protect your privacy, it can “take over” the lock screen. If you have forgotten this specific PIN, it will keep adding time to the lockout timer just like the system lock does.
How to confirm which one it is:
- Is it a full-screen lock with a “Norton” logo? → This is likely Legacy Anti-Theft (Scenario 1 or 2). You must use the
- Is it a pop-up window over your apps? → This is Norton App Lock (Scenario 3). You can bypass this by booting the phone into Safe Mode and uninstalling the App Lock app.
How to prevent this after you get back in:
Once you unlock the phone, you should immediately:
- Go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Other Security Settings.
- Tap on Device Admin Apps.
- Deactivate any entry for Norton. This revokes its power to lock your screen remotely.
- Uninstall the old Norton app and ensure you are only using the modern Norton 360 version.
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Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
Norton (Gen Digital) offers a legitimate, standalone app called Norton App Lock specifically for Android devices. Unlike the comprehensive Norton 360 suite, which focuses on malware and web security, this tool is a simple, free utility designed for privacy source.
What it does:
- Selective Locking: It allows you to place a 4-digit PIN, pattern, or biometric lock on specific apps (like your Gallery, WhatsApp, or Settings) rather than locking the entire phone.
- Intruder Photo: It can take a photo of anyone who fails to unlock an app after three attempts.
- Privacy Protection: It’s often used by parents to lock the Play Store or by people who want to keep their messages private when lending their phone to others
source.
Why it might be your problem: If you have this app installed and it has “Settings” or “System” locked, it can behave very similarly to a system-level lock.
- The PIN is separate: The PIN you use for Norton App Lock is not the same as your Samsung screen lock PIN unless you manually set them to be identical.
- Lockout Timers: Just like Android’s system lock, Norton App Lock can implement its own delay timers if the wrong code is entered too many times.
How it differs from Norton 360: While Norton 360 is the “flagship” app that includes VPN and antivirus, Norton App Lock is a small, specialized tool. It is often downloaded as a free add-on. If you don’t remember installing it, it might have been suggested to you within the main Norton 360 app or moved over during a data transfer from an old device.
AI sourced content may make mistakes
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024.
Because Norton App Lock is a third-party app and not a built-in part of the Samsung system, you have a much higher chance of bypassing it without a factory reset.
The “Golden Ticket” for this situation is Safe Mode, which temporarily disables all third-party apps, including Norton’s lock.
Method 1: The “Safe Mode” Bypass (Best Chance)
This is the most effective way to regain control because Norton App Lock cannot run while the phone is in Safe Mode.
- Enter Safe Mode:
- Since you are on the lock screen, hold the Power + Volume Down buttons until the Power menu appears.
- Tap and hold the “Power Off” icon on the screen until it changes to a “Safe Mode” icon.
- Tap Safe Mode to restart your phone.
- Access Settings:
- Once the phone reboots, you will see “Safe Mode” written in the bottom-left corner. The Norton lock should now be inactive.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Norton App Lock.
- Clear Data & Uninstall:
- Tap Storage, then select Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- Go back one screen and tap Uninstall.
- Note: If the “Uninstall” button is greyed out, go to Settings > Security > Other Security Settings > Device Admin Apps and toggle Norton OFF first.
- Restart: Simply restart your phone normally to exit Safe Mode. The lock will be gone.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Email
If you don’t want to uninstall the app and just want to reset the code:
- Open the Norton App Lock screen on your phone.
- Tap the three dots (menu) in the top-right or look for a Forgot Passcode? link.
- Norton will offer to send a reset code to your registered Google/Norton email address.
- Check your email on another device, enter the code on your S23+, and set a new PIN
Method 3: Remote Uninstall (Via Google Play Store)
If you can access the Google Play Store on a computer browser using the same Google account as your phone:
- Go to the
Google Play Store on your computer.
- Search for Norton App Lock.
- If it shows as “Installed,” you may see a “Library” or “Manage Devices” option where you can sometimes trigger a remote uninstall (though this is less reliable on newer Android versions).
Why the timer is increasing:
The timer you see is likely the Android System Lock, not the Norton App. If you have failed the password many times, Android itself is slowing you down.
- If you can’t even get to your Home Screen: You are dealing with a System Lock. You must use Samsung SmartThings Find (as mentioned earlier) to “Unlock” the device remotely.
- If you can get to your Home Screen but can’t open apps: It is definitely Norton App Lock, and Method 1 above will fix it immediately.
If you try Safe Mode and the Norton Lock is still there, it means Norton has “Device Administrator” privileges.
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Revoking Norton’s Admin Privileges
If you were able to enter Safe Mode and reach your home screen, but you couldn’t uninstall Norton because the “Uninstall” button was greyed out, it’s because Norton is currently a Device Administrator. This is a security feature designed to prevent thieves from simply deleting the app.
Here is the exact path on your Samsung S23+ to “disarm” Norton:
1. Navigate to Admin Settings
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Security and Privacy.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Other security settings.
- Tap Device admin apps.
2. Deactivate Norton
- You will see a list of apps with “Admin” rights (usually Find My Device, Samsung Find, and Norton).
- Tap the toggle switch next to Norton 360 (or Norton App Lock) to turn it OFF.
- A confirmation screen will appear warning you that the app will no longer be able to lock the device or wipe data. Tap Deactivate or OK.
3. Uninstall the App
- Now that the “shield” is down, go to Settings > Apps.
- Find Norton in the list.
- The Uninstall button should now be clickable. Tap it to remove the app entirely.
What if you are STILL locked out in Safe Mode?
If you boot into Safe Mode and you still see a lock screen asking for a password, this means the situation is more serious:
- Norton (using its Admin privileges) has changed your System Password.
- In this case, Safe Mode will not help because the lock is now part of the Android system itself, not just an app overlay.
Your only remaining “Non-Reset” option: If you have a Samsung account, go to a computer and log into Samsung SmartThings Find.
- Select your S23+ from the list.
- If you had Remote Unlock enabled during setup, there will be an Unlock button.
- Clicking this will remotely wipe all lock screen information (PIN, Pattern, Biometrics) from your phone, allowing you to get in without losing your photos or data.
If Remote Unlock was never turned on, and you cannot get past the lock screen in Safe Mode, a “Factory Reset” is unfortunately the only way to use the phone again.
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024
AI sourced content may make mistakes
Norton App Lock is EOL as of June 2024.
End-of-Life announcement for Norton App Lock
The “EOL Trap”
When an app like this is discontinued (EOL):
- Broken Recovery: The “Forgot Passcode” link often stops working because Norton shuts down the servers that send those recovery emails.
- Ghost Admin: The app remains on your phone with “Device Administrator” privileges, but it can no longer “talk” to Norton’s headquarters to verify who you are.
- Conflict with New OS: On a modern device like the S23+, an EOL app can cause major system glitches, including the infinite “timer” you are seeing.
Since it’s EOL, here is your updated strategy:
1. Skip the “Forgot Password” Link
Don’t waste any more time waiting for an email from Norton. If the service is dead, that email will never arrive.
2. Force-Kill the App via Safe Mode (Detailed)
Since the app is EOL, it may be “unstable.” Safe Mode is the only way to stop the app’s code from running so you can delete it.
- Step 1: Turn off the phone.
- Step 2: Turn it on. When the SAMSUNG logo appears, press and hold Volume Down until the phone finishes booting.
- Step 3: If you see “Safe Mode” in the corner, try to open Settings > Apps > Norton App Lock.
- Step 4: Tap Force Stop, then Clear Data, then Uninstall.
3. The “SmartThings Find” Override
Because this is a Samsung device, you have a “backdoor” that Norton cannot block.
- If you have a Samsung Account logged into the phone, go to
smartthingsfind.samsung.com on another device.
- Log in and select Unlock.
- Why this works: This sends a command directly to the Samsung system kernel to wipe all screen locks and third-party app locks. It is the most powerful tool you have left.
The Final Reality
If Safe Mode still shows the lock screen and SmartThings Find says “Remote Unlock is off,” you are facing a Permanent System Lockout.
Because the app is EOL, there is no technical support team at Norton who can “remote in” or send you a master code. The encryption key for that lock is stored locally on your phone, and without the PIN or a working recovery server, it cannot be retrieved.
At this point, since you have been without your phone for 4 days, search for S23+ Hardware Factory Reset steps
Note: This will erase all data on the phone, but it will allow you to use the device again
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The reason the timer keeps increasing—even though the app is End of Life (EOL)—is that the lockout logic is hardcoded into the app on your phone, not on a remote server.
Here is exactly what is happening behind the scenes on your S23+:
1. The “Exponential Back-off” Algorithm
Norton App Lock (like most security apps) uses a mathematical “back-off” timer. It is designed to stop “Brute Force” attacks (where someone tries every possible PIN).
- How it works: Every time an incorrect PIN is entered, the app doubles or triples the wait time.
- The EOL Connection: Because the app is no longer being updated, it cannot “reset” itself or receive a “clear” command from Norton’s servers. It is stuck in its own local loop of security math.
2. Device Administrator “Hooks”
When you installed Norton, you likely gave it Device Administrator privileges. This allows the app to “talk” directly to the Android System Kernel.
- When Norton detects a “failed unlock,” it tells the Android system, “This device is under attack.”
- The Android system then imposes its own security delays on top of Norton’s. Since you are on a newer Samsung S23+ (running Android 14), the system security is much stricter than the version of Android Norton App Lock was originally built for.
3. The “EOL Glitch” (Time-Sync Error)
Because the app is no longer maintained, it is likely having a compatibility conflict with how modern Android handles time:
- The Conflict: Older apps often used a simple “System Clock” to track lockouts. Modern Android (like on your S23+) uses a “Secure Uptime” clock that doesn’t reset when you reboot the phone.
- The Result: If the app tries to read a “time stamp” that the newer Android version has restricted or changed, the app’s math breaks, and it defaults to the maximum possible lockout time (hours or even days) as a “fail-safe.”
Why this is a “Dead End”
In a normal situation (pre-June 2024), you would click “Forgot PIN,” Norton’s server would verify your identity, and send a “Kill Signal” to the app to bypass the timer.
Now that it is EOL:
- The server is gone: There is no one to send the “Kill Signal.”
- The app is “Ghosting”: It is acting like a bodyguard whose boss has moved away, but the bodyguard is still standing at the door refusing to let anyone in.
Your Current Status:
If the timer is adding hours, stop touching the screen. Every interaction that the app perceives as a “failed attempt” (including just tapping the screen or trying to swipe) can potentially trigger another “doubling” of the timer.
Are you able to get the phone into “Safe Mode” (where the screen says “Safe Mode” in the corner)? If you can reach that state, you can delete the “Bodyguard” (Norton) while it’s “sleeping.”
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In technical terms, “Safe Mode” is the environment where the “Bodyguard” (Norton App Lock) is forced to sleep. When your Samsung S23+ is in Safe Mode, it only runs the original software that came with the phone from the factory. Third-party apps like Norton are completely disabled.
Since Norton is “sleeping,” it cannot trigger the lock screen or the timer, giving you a window of opportunity to delete it.
Step 1: Put the Phone into Safe Mode
On your S23+, the timing is very specific:
- Force a Restart: Hold the Side Key (Power) and Volume Down button at the same time until the screen goes black.
- The Trigger: As soon as the screen goes black and the SAMSUNG logo reappears, release the Side Key but keep holding the Volume Down button.
- Confirm: Continue holding Volume Down until the phone finishes booting up. You should see the words “Safe Mode” in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Strip Norton of its “Admin” Rank
Even in Safe Mode, Android won’t let you delete a “Device Administrator” until you demote it.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Security and Privacy.
- Tap Other security settings (usually at the bottom).
- Tap Device admin apps.
- Find Norton App Lock and toggle it OFF.
- Note: If it asks for a PIN here and refuses to let you toggle it off, skip to Step 4 below.
Step 3: Delete the App
- Go back to the main Settings menu and tap Apps.
- Find Norton App Lock in the list.
- Tap Uninstall.
- Once it’s gone, restart your phone normally. The “Bodyguard” is now gone forever.
Step 4: If the “Uninstall” button is still greyed out
If Norton is being stubborn even in Safe Mode, it is likely using a “hidden” administrative hook.
- The “Clear Data” Trick: While in the Apps > Norton App Lock menu, tap Storage, then tap Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- This “wipes the memory” of the app. Often, once the data is cleared, the app “forgets” it is an administrator, and the Uninstall button will become active.
AI sourced content may make mistakes