Locked out of my phone

[Boink]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S23 phone which prompted me to do an update last week. I did so, and when I next went to use the phone I was asked to log in with my pin number. The problem is I don't HAVE a pin number! I always intentionally set up my phone to avoid that step, as I've always found it to be a pain in the ass. Perhaps when setting up the phone 3 years ago I set up a pin number under duress, but I've never used it so I don't remember it. I know what it SHOULD be, based on the passwords I use all the time, but none of my guesses work. I DO have access to my Samsung account on my computer, which so far has provided no solutions.

I understand I can set a new pin number by doing a 'factory reset'.  But doing so would erase all my data, and I refuse to do that. I have tons of photos and text threads I just don't want to lose!!

Does anyone have any familiarity with a problem like this? I can't believe there's no simple fix.  It seems so unfair.

[BuffaloKyle]

Found this option for you since you said you have access to your Samsung account on your computer:

Method 1: Using SmartThings Find (Keeps Data)

Open a browser on another device and go to smartthingsfind.samsung.com.

Sign in with the Samsung account linked to your locked phone.

Select your locked phone from the device list.

Click Unlock and enter your Samsung account password to confirm.

Set a new PIN or password on your phone.

[+ JamesB]

I’m not a Samsung user so take this with a grain of salt. As far as I know Samsung’s "Remote Unlock" via SmartThings Find (Find My Mobile) was discontinued. That said, before resigning to a full data loss, check the following:
Even if you haven't manually backed up your phone recently, Android devices often perform silent daily backups while charging over Wi-Fi. On your computer, look under Devices / Backups. Check the timestamp of the last backup. If a backup was made prior to the update, your contacts, text messages (via Samsung Messages), settings and photos (if synced to Samsung Cloud/OneDrive) are safe.
Check Google Drive and Google Photos. Log into photos.google.com and drive.google.com with the Google account associated with the phone. Go to Drive > Storage > Backups. Look for a device backup file for your Galaxy S23. If active, Google automatically backs up text messages, call history, app data, and device settings.
Try common system default PINs. When Android software updates force a lock screen on an un-PINned device, it sometimes defaults to standard initial setups or carrier-level locks: 0000, 1234 or the last 4 digits of your phone number.

Reboot into Safe Mode. A third-party security app or a corrupt update cache may be triggering the prompt. Press and hold the Power/Side Key + Volume Down until the power menu appears. Tap and hold the Power Off icon on screen until Safe Mode appears. Tap Safe Mode. If a corrupt app caused the prompt, Safe Mode may allow entry or let you try biometrics.

If none of these work, I believe there is no reliable way to recover or bypass a forgotten screen lock PIN. Samsung (and Android) encrypt the lock credentials on-device, neither Samsung Support nor your Samsung account can retrieve or reset the PIN itself.

Good luck. Hopefully one of these options gets you back into your phone.