How to set a screen lock on your Xperia device (Android 9 or higher)

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

This article applies to Xperia devices with Android 9.0 or higher.

Using a screen lock pattern on your Xperia device

To set up a screen lock pattern

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock → Pattern.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock → Pattern.
2. Draw a screen lock pattern, then tap NEXT.
3. Re-draw the pattern, then tap CONFIRM.
4. Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.

To change a screen lock pattern

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern.
3. Tap Pattern.
4. Draw a new screen lock pattern, then tap NEXT.
5. Re-draw the pattern, then tap CONFIRM.

To unlock your device using a screen lock pattern

1. Activate the screen.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern.

To remove a screen lock pattern

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern.
3. Tap None → YES, REMOVE.

Using a screen lock PIN

To set up a screen lock PIN

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock → PIN.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock → PIN.
2. Enter a screen lock PIN (at least 4 digits), then tap NEXT.
3. Re-enter the PIN, then tap CONFIRM.
4. Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.

To change a screen lock PIN

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock.
2. Enter your screen lock PIN, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. Tap PIN.
4. Enter a new screen lock PIN (at least 4 digits), then tap NEXT.
5. Re-enter the PIN, then tap CONFIRM.

To unlock your device using a screen lock PIN

1. Activate the screen.
2. Enter your screen lock PIN.

To remove a screen lock PIN

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock.
2. Enter your screen lock PIN, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. ​Tap None → YES, REMOVE.

Using a screen lock password

To set up a screen lock password

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock → Password.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock → Password.
2. Enter a screen lock password (at least 4 characters), then tap NEXT.
3. Re-enter the password, then tap CONFIRM.
4. Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.

To change a screen lock password

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Screen lock.
2. Enter your screen lock password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. Tap Password.
4. Enter a new screen lock password (at least 4 characters), then tap NEXT.
5. Re-enter the password, then tap CONFIRM.

To unlock your device using a screen lock password

1. Activate the screen.
2. Enter your screen lock password, then tap the on-screen keyboard Enter key.

To remove a screen lock password

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security > Screen lock.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security > Screen lock.
2. Enter your screen lock password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. ​Tap None → YES, REMOVE.

Using a fingerprint to unlock your Xperia device

If you have set up a screen lock pattern, PIN, or password, you can activate fingerprint unlocking. If you haven't, you will be requested to set up a pattern, PIN, or password as a backup screen lock method before you can activate fingerprint unlocking.

To activate fingerprint unlocking (with a backup screen lock method)

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Fingerprint Manager → NEXT.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Fingerprint Manager → NEXT.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern or enter your PIN / password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. Tap NEXT.
4. Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration. Repeat touching the sensor until the fingerprint is added.
5. Tap DONE.

To activate fingerprint unlocking (without a backup screen lock method)

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Fingerprint Manager → NEXT.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Fingerprint Manager → NEXT.
2. Choose your backup screen lock method by tapping Fingerprint + Pattern, Fingerprint + PIN, or Fingerprint + Password. 
3. Depending on your choice in Step 2, draw a pattern or enter a PIN / password, then tap NEXT.
4. Re-draw the pattern or re-enter the PIN / password, then tap CONFIRM.
5. Select an option for how you want notifications to be shown, then tap DONE.
6. Tap NEXT.
7. Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration. Repeat touching the sensor until the fingerprint is added.
8. Tap DONE.

To unlock your device using a screen lock password

Touch the fingerprint sensor lightly with your finger until your device unlocks.

To add another fingerprint for unlocking

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Fingerprint Manager.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Fingerprint Manager.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern or enter your PIN / password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. Tap Add fingerprint.
4. Tap the fingerprint sensor lightly and multiple times with a finger. Lift it after you feel a vibration.
5. When the fingerprint is added, tap DONE.

To delete a fingerprint for unlocking

1. Depending on your menu options:
   • Find and tap Settings → Security → Fingerprint Manager.
   • Find and tap Settings → Lock screen & security → Fingerprint Manager.
2. Draw your screen lock pattern or enter your PIN / password, then tap the next icon (arrow).
3. Tap the wastepaper basket icon beside the fingerprint you want to delete.
4. Tap DELETE.