Disconnect the Samsung phone from Phone Link first, then change the phone’s screen lock separately; removing a Microsoft passkey alone will not necessarily remove the six-digit PIN that appears whenever the phone wakes.
1. Completely disconnect the phone from the computer
On the Windows 11 computer:
- Select Start, type Phone Link, and open it.
- Select the gear icon for Settings.
- Select Devices.
- Beside the Samsung phone, select the three dots and then Remove.
- Confirm Remove.
- Open Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mobile devices → Manage devices.
- If the phone appears there, select Remove.
On the Samsung phone:
- Open Settings → Connected devices → Link to Windows.
You may also find Link to Windows by swiping down from the top of the screen. - Select the Microsoft account shown there.
- Tap Sign out.
- Open the phone’s Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
- If the computer is listed, tap its settings icon and choose Unpair.
Also remove the phone from Windows Settings → Bluetooth & devices if it remains listed. After these steps, Phone Link can no longer use the phone for photographs, messages, calls, notifications, or phone-file access on that computer.^1^
2. Remove or change the six-digit phone PIN
If the six-digit number is requested on the Samsung phone whenever its screen goes blank, it is the phone’s screen-lock PIN, not merely a Microsoft passkey.
On the Samsung phone:
- Open Settings.
- Select Lock screen or Lock screen and AOD. On some models it may be under Security and privacy.
- Select Screen lock type.
- Enter the current six-digit PIN.
- Choose:
- Swipe to remove the secure PIN, if offered; or
- Pattern, fingerprint, or another preferred lock method.
Samsung requires the current PIN before changing the screen-lock method.^2^
Security warning: Choosing Swipe removes secure screen protection. Anyone holding the phone may then be able to open it. Fingerprint or face unlock may be less annoying while retaining protection, although the phone can still request the PIN periodically.
No Microsoft Authenticator installation is required to unlink Phone Link or change the Samsung screen lock.
3. If an actual Microsoft passkey was created
Only do this if you see a passkey listed in Windows or in your Microsoft account.
On the computer:
- Open Start → Settings → Accounts → Passkeys.
- Find the unwanted passkey.
- Select the three dots → Delete passkey.
For a passkey attached to a personal Microsoft account, open the account’s Advanced Security Options, expand the passkey entry, and select Remove. Ensure another sign-in method—such as a password, email code, or text message—is available first, or removing the passkey could prevent account access.^3^
4. Check whether a company account was connected
A company did not necessarily take control merely because Phone Link copied pictures. However, if an unfamiliar workplace account appears:
- Open Start → Settings → Accounts → Access work or school.
- Look for an account belonging to an employer or organization.
- If it is unfamiliar or should not be connected, expand it and select Disconnect → Yes.
Disconnecting removes that work or school account’s sign-in information and data from the computer; it does not delete the online account.^4^
Do not remove unfamiliar Windows user accounts under Accounts → Other users until personal photographs and documents have been backed up, because removing an account there can also remove that account’s data from the computer.
References
- Remove your mobile device from Phone Link, Link to Windows, and Windows Settings | Microsoft Support
- Change Screen Lock Type on my Galaxy Device - Samsung au
- [Personal](https://support.microsoft.com/accounts-billing/security/manage-your-saved-passkeys)
- Manage User Accounts in Windows | Microsoft Support