Lock screen FAQ

1. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, then select Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Do one of the following:
• To set up a PIN for the first time, select Add, type your new PIN in the New PIN box, and then retype it in the Confirm PIN text box.
• If you want to change your phone's current PIN, select Change, type your phone's current PIN in the Current PIN box, then type and confirm your new PIN.
3. Select OK to save your changes.
   

If you've set a PIN yourself, you can choose how often you're required to enter a PIN from your lock screen, which can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, or each time you unlock your phone. If you have a Microsoft Exchange account through your work, the Exchange administrator will set the options you can choose.

This setting is different from how often your phone goes to sleep, which you can set separately.

To set how often you're required to enter a PIN from your lock screen, do the following:

1. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, then select Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
2. Under Require sign-in, choose the time you want.

To set how often your phone goes to sleep, do the following:

1. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, then select Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
2. Select Screen times out after and choose the time you want.
   

It depends on whether your employer requires a PIN for your Exchange email account or you created a PIN voluntarily.

If your employer requires you to use a PIN

Depending on your company's Exchange policy, your phone may reset to factory settings or lock up and make you wait to get back in if you repeatedly enter an incorrect PIN. To prevent this from happening accidentally, if you enter the wrong PIN several times, your phone will prompt you to enter a special phrase to continue. Once you enter the phrase correctly, you'll have one more chance to enter your PIN correctly, or your phone will be reset. For more info, see Protect my phone.

If you created a PIN voluntarily

If you've entered the wrong PIN 4 times, your phone will prompt you to enter a special phrase to continue. Once you enter the phrase correctly, you'll have one more chance to enter your PIN correctly, or your phone will restart and you can try again.

If you just aren't able to come up with the right PIN, you'll need to reset your phone to factory settings. Contact your mobile operator, check their website, or look through your phone's documentation to learn how to do that. For more info, see Protect my phone.