Learn 3 proven ways to remove Google activation lock on Samsung devices: via Settings, online through Google account dashboard, or bypass FRP after factory reset with FoneTool Unlocker.
Reset your Galaxy to sell it, or just bought a used one, but the setup wizard stops dead at a screen reading "Verify your account: sign in with the Google account previously synced to this device"? No other account works, there is no skip button, and Settings is out of reach. This is Google Activation Lock, also known as Factory Reset Protection (FRP).
It is a security feature built into Android devices running Android 5.1 Lollipop and later. When FRP is active, the phone requires you to verify ownership by signing in with the Google account that was previously synced to the device before the reset.
While this protection is invaluable for lost or stolen devices, it also creates real problems for legitimate users. You might encounter the activation lock if you bought a second-hand Samsung phone and the previous owner forgot to remove their account before resetting it. Whatever your situation, there are ways to remove Google activation lock on Samsung devices before/after reset.
There are 3 solutions to remove Activation Lock on Samsung, and which one you need depends entirely on what you can still access.
If you still have full access to your Samsung phone(meaning you can unlock the screen, open apps, and navigate the Settings menu), the simplest way to prevent or bypass Google Activation Lock is to remove your Google account directly from Settings before performing a factory reset.
Step 1. Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone.
Step 2. Go to Accounts and backup > Manage accounts to see all accounts signed into the device.
Step 3. Tap the Google account you wish to remove, and click Remove account.
Step 4. Hit Remove account again on the confirmation pop-up to confirm the Samsung Google account removal.
Step 5. If prompted, enter your device's pattern, PIN, or password to complete the removal.
Once the account is removed, you can safely perform a factory reset without triggering FRP. The phone will boot up cleanly afterward, and no Google account verification will be required during setup.
If you cannot remove the account from the phone itself, you can remove the activation lock remotely through your Google account dashboard on any web browser. But this requires that you have access to the Google account that was previously synced to the device.
Step 1. On a computer or another device, open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com.
Step 2. Open Device activity & notifications under Sign-in & security.
Step 3. Click on Review devices under Recently used devices.
Step 4. Select the device you wish to remove from the Google account, click Remove and confirm it.
If your phone is already reset, stucking on the Google verification screen with no password, that’s where FoneTool Unlocker comes in.
It is a specialized unlocking tool that provides Samsung FRP bypass solutions for supported phones and tablets. Whether you need to bypass Samsung activation lock on a device you purchased used or regain access to your own phone after forgetting your Google credentials, this tool is designed to handle the situation without requiring the original Google account email or password.
Step 1. Connect the locked phone to the PC via USB, launch FoneTool Unlocker, and click Start under Unlock Samsung Devices.
Step 2. Choose an FRP unlock method, or Universal (One-Click Removal) if you are unsure, then click Remove Now.
Step 3. Then, on the phone, tap Emergency Call and dial the code the software provides, such as *#0*#, to open the diagnostic Test Mode menu. When it appears, click Next on the computer.
Step 4. Keep the USB connection steady while the tool removes the Google FRP lock automatically. Wait for Removal Completed.
Step 5. Click Home Screen if the device reached the home screen, or Setup Screen if it is still in the wizard.
Step 6. Then, finish setup, skipping Wi-Fi if prompted, and sign in with your own Google account.
#1. Can I remove Google activation lock on Samsung with my Google account?
Yes. Signing in with the previously synced Google account on the verification screen is the official way through, and it is also what clears FRP permanently. Alternatively, remove the account in Settings before resetting, or revoke access from myaccount.google.com. What does not work is signing in with a different Google account; FRP only accepts the one that was on the device.
#2. Can an activation lock be removed without a previous owner?
If you can still access Settings, yes - delete the account locally without contacting anyone. If the phone is already reset and sits on verification, you cannot get through with a different account. The practical options are a PC-based FRP tool such as FoneTool Unlocker, or a Samsung authorised service centre with proof of purchase. For second-hand purchases, contacting the seller is still fastest when they are reachable.
#3. Does factory reset remove ActivationLock on Android?
No. A factory reset does not remove the Google activation lock. When you perform a factory reset on a Samsung phone that has a Google account signed in, FRP activates and requires the previously synced Google credentials to complete setup.
Whether you are preparing to sell your device, dealing with a second-hand purchase, or simply forgot your credentials, there are 3 reliable ways to remove Google Activation Lock on Samsung devices.
To bypass Google verification after a factory reset without the original account and password, use FoneTool Unlocker to bypass Google activation lock over USB and return the device to normal use. Also, this tool offers to put iPhone into recovery mode, remove screen time passcode, manage iOS passwords, and so on.