Set How Fast Your Phone Locks After the Screen Sleeps
A screen lock only helps if the phone actually locks soon after the display sleeps—or right when you press Power. Built-in Secure lock / Screen lock settings control that delay.
What You Need
- A PIN, pattern, or password screen lock already set (required before Secure lock / Screen lock settings appear).
- No apps required.
Two different timers: Screen timeout is when the display turns off. Lock timing (Secure lock / Screen lock settings) is how soon the phone requires your PIN/pattern/password after that. You need a real screen lock first—these extra options stay hidden until you set one.
Pixel — Screen lock settings
Pixel Phone Help: next to Screen lock, open Settings for automatic lock timing, Power button locking, and a lock screen message.
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Step 1: Set a screen lock (if needed)
Open Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Screen lock. Choose PIN, pattern, or password and finish setup.
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Step 2: Open Screen lock settings
Still under Device unlock, next to Screen lock, tap the Settings (gear) icon. Enter your lock if asked.
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Step 3: Automatic lock timing
Adjust automatic lock timing (on many Pixels labeled Lock after screen timeout). Pick how soon the phone locks after the screen turns off—often including an Immediate option.
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Step 4: Power button locking
Review Power button locking (commonly Power button instantly locks). When on, pressing Power locks right away instead of waiting for the automatic lock delay.
You can also set a lock screen message from the same Screen lock settings screen.
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Step 5: Optional — Screen timeout
To change when the display sleeps: Settings > Display & touch > Screen timeout (for example 15 seconds–10 minutes, or Adaptive timeout).
Samsung Galaxy — Secure lock settings
Official Samsung US: Secure lock settings appear only after you create a Lock screen.
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Step 1: Open Secure lock settings
Open Settings > Lock screen and AOD (or Lock screen) > Secure lock settings. Enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
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Step 2: Auto lock when screen turns off
Tap Auto lock when screen turns off and choose a delay (Samsung documents examples like 5 seconds, 15 seconds, 1 minute, or 5 minutes; some builds allow up to 30 minutes).
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Step 3: Lock instantly with Side button
Turn on Lock instantly with Side button so pressing the Side / Power button locks immediately.
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Step 4: Other Secure lock options
- Show Lockdown option — adds Lockdown on the Power menu (turns off Smart Lock / biometrics on the lock screen until you unlock with PIN/pattern/password).
- Make pattern visible — only if you use a pattern.
- Lock network and security / Auto factory reset — extra lost-device protections; read the on-screen warnings before enabling.
Optional display sleep: Settings > Display > Screen timeout (Samsung notes a default of 30 seconds and a maximum of 10 minutes on many phones).