How to fix Galaxy S8 that unlocks the screen on its own, other issues

Today’s #GalaxyS8 troubleshooting article covers a common issue about the device automatically unlocking the screen. We’ve known this issue for a while now, starting with Galaxy devices that featured Smart Lock so it’s not really new at all. However, since a lot of users seem to continually encounter the trouble, we decide to make a short troubleshooting guide for it. We also cover some other S8 issues in this post so we hope you’ll find it helpful.

Problem 1: How to fix Galaxy S8 that unlocks the screen on its own

Hi. I have set my S8 Plus with fingerprint, pattern and face recognition unlock but for some reason all of a sudden it is unlocking itself with just swiping the screen and it automatically gets in the phone. i tried even switching them off using only one system but still its unlocking by just swiping the screen and unlocks. What shall i do as i can’t seem to find anything that can solve my problem. — Andrea Muscat

Solution: Hi Andrea. You’re not the first one to report this issue in this blog and in other Android forums so we can say it’s a fairly common problem, if you call it that. We don’t want to call it a problem because it’s mainly due to a feature users tend to ignore.

Your Galaxy S8 device has a feature called Smart Lock (this is also present in older Galaxy models) that prevents the device from locking the screen. By default, Smart Lock is turned off so you must have enabled it before. As the name suggests, this feature works by smartly unlocking the screen every time the device has met certain conditions, like when it’s in proximity with another device. Smart Lock bypasses whatever screen lock you’ve set so this must be the reason why your phone appears to unlock the screen on its own.

Smart Lock feature can be enabled using four items:

  • On-body detection. This Smart Lock option keeps the screen open when the device detects that you’re holding it, or when you’re in motion. It will automatically lock the screen if it detects that you put the device down.
  • Trusted places. This Smart Lock option takes note of your preferred place. Your needs must be connected to the internet with the GPS or location services enabled for this to work.
  • Trusted devices. This Smart Lock option won’t lock the screen of your device if it detects that a previously set device like another phone, tablet, laptop, or any other smart gadget is nearby. This makes use of Bluetooth to detect another device.
  • Trusted voice. This Smart Lock option makes use of OK Google service to work. You need to set up OK Google first for this to work in your device.

As you can see, there are four ways to keep your screen on all the time. If you happen to enable On-body detection, naturally your screen will remain unlocked if you put your device in your pocket. Unless you stay dead still for a long time, the screen will stay that way and everytime you reach for it in your pocket, there’s a tendency that you’ll initiate an app or feature.

Our recommendations

If you want to fix this issue, you should check your phone’s Smart Lock options and be mindful of the option you use. To check Smart Lock, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap Lock screen and security.
  3. Tap Secure lock settings.
  4. Tap Smart Lock.

If you’re using On-body detection option, consider turning it off before putting your device in your pocket.

If you happen to be using Trusted devices instead, turning off Bluetooth may fix the issue since your phone won’t then be able to detect nearby devices.

To prevent a simple trouble like this from happening in the future, be sure to know exactly what setting or feature you’re trying to use.

Problem 2: Galaxy S8 can’t receive SMS from one particular number

I have a Galaxy S8 (Sprint) and my friend has Google Pixel (Verizon). I can send her texts but she cannot send me texts. This has just been the last two weeks. Prior to this she could send text and I would receive them. She can call me on the cell phone and text me using Facebook Messenger with no issues. Help. This is driving us nuts! Yes both phones have been rebooted and checked for blocks. — Teresa Antley

Solution: Hi Teresa. Either your S8 is blocking text messages from your friends number, or there’s an issue on her end sending text messages to particular numbers. To see if its an issue on your end, try doing the following.

Verify if you have enough storage space for incoming messages

The simplest way to do this is by sending yourself a text messages. If you can still receive incoming messages from yourself or others, that’s a clear indicator that your inbox is not full. To be safe though, try to delete old messages to free up some space before asking your friend to send you another text message.

Check your messaging app’s block settings

We assume you’re using Samsung Messages app. If you’re not, there must be a similar option under that app’s settings menu to unblock numbers. Below are the steps to check for blocks in your S8:

  1. Open Messages app.
  2. Tap Settings menu at the upper left.
  3. Open Settings.
  4. Tap Block messages.
  5. Check each of the following: Block numbers, Block phrases, Blocked messages.

Clear data of your messaging app

To ensure that there’s no bug in the messaging app, you need to do a drastic solution by virtually re-installing your messaging app (Messages). If you are using a third party messaging app, uninstall and reinstall it. Make sure to create a backup of your messages you don’t want to lose before clearing its data or reinstalling it.

To wipe the data of your messaging app, follow these steps:

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up or down to display all apps.
  2. From a Home screen, navigate to Settings icon > Apps.
  3. Tap App Manager.
  4. Locate then tap the appropriate app.
  5. Tap Storage.
  6. Tap CLEAR DATA.

Contact your carrier

Should the three suggestions above won’t help, contact your carrier and tell them that you’re having an issue receiving from a particular network (if your friend is on another on), or from a particular number (if you’re on the same network). It’s your carrier’s responsibility to figure out where the issue comes from.

Issue must be on the other side

If everything on your end is clear, the issue must be on your friend’s side. Ask her to contact her carrier so they can help in troubleshooting the problem.

Problem 3: Galaxy S8 can’t receive MMS

I purchased this Galaxy S8 back in October and haven’t had any issues until yesterday. My phone will not download MMS messages. I looked through your troubleshooting tips and hints and tried all of them (turned phone off and on, deleted old files, cleared cache) and my phone still will not download MMS messages. I live in a city and connected to wi-fi and still, not getting messages. Can you help with this? — Robertsoniryan

Solution: Hi Robertsoniryan. MMS only works on cellular data. If you are not subscribed to cellular data service, or if you are but don’t turn on mobile data connection, you won’t be able to send and receive MMS at all.

If you have mobile data, can send MMS, but can’t receive one, then that’s most probably a configuration issue. Contact your carrier so they can tell you how to configure your device’s network settings properly. There may be an issue with the APN settings so you need to fix that up to be able to use MMS both ways.

MMS can’t be downloaded using Wifi so be sure to turn on mobile data (if you are subscribed to it) in order receive them.

Problem 4: Galaxy S8 keeps showing error 425 when sending SMS

Hi there! I have a S8 Plus which is really nice but the problem is I can’t send any text message and it keeps saying error (425). I do not understand what that means.

Also, whenever I type any code in the keypad to check my balance or anything as such, it goes to direct call thus not processing the code . I also tried to activate the private mode but it just doesn’t happen. I gave a pattern code and yet it fails to activate it. What could I possibly do? Oh did i mention that i had visited to the customer care service ..but they didn’t solve it anything. — Tisha

Solution: Hi Tisha. Representatives in stores are not technical support people (they are there to sell) so you’ll most likely ended up with the same problem or worse if you let them tell you what to do. Since your issues are more likely misconfiguration in your account, your best bet is to contact the technical support team of your carrier and describe the issues you’re having. If that won’t help, do a factory reset to bring all carrier-specific settings back to where they were before.

To factory reset your S8, follow these steps:

  1. Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
  2. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  3. Tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
  4. Tap Backup and restore.
  5. If desired, tap Back up my data to move the slider to ON or OFF.
  6. If desired, tap Restore to move the slider to ON or OFF.
  7. Tap the back button to the Settings menu and tap General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
  8. Tap Reset device.
  9. If you have screen lock turned on, enter your credentials.
  10. Tap Continue.
  11. Tap Delete all.

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