Your device will be wiped after 9 more failed attempts to be unlocked

Google's Android operating system features a lock mechanism to secure your phone, known as pattern lock. When setting the pattern, you must drag your finger along lines on the screen between different nodes. Afterward, to unlock the phone, you'll need to replicate the pattern drawn. If you fail to solve the pattern too many times, the phone locks and cannot be unlocked without logging into the associated Google account. If you can't log in, you'll have to employ some other methods to restore control of your phone.

Google Account Log-In

The easiest way to restore control is to provide the Google account or Gmail account information associated with your phone when prompted. This will send an email to your account, which you can use to disable or change the unlock pattern on your phone. While this is the most common solution, it is hampered by the issue of connectivity. If your phone was not connected to a Wi-Fi connection when the lockout occurred, an email can't be sent, and you will need to find an alternate solution.

Android Debug Bridge

Another tool you can use is the Android Debug Bridge, a tool included in the Android software developer's kit (see Resources). The SDK can be downloaded for free and includes a wide range of development and debug tools for the Android operating system and Android devices. To bypass the pattern lock, your phone will need to have had USB debugging enabled before the lockout. The device will have to be connected to your computer via the manufacturer-supplied USB cable, at which point you can launch the Android Debug Bridge on your computer and begin the debug process. Once ADB is launched, enter the following command exactly as transcribed to reboot the phone, pressing "Enter" at the end of each line:

adb shell cd /data/data/com.android.providers.setting­s/databases sqlite3 settings.db update system set value=0 where name=’lock_pattern_autolock’; update system set value=0 where name=’lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently’; .quit

If this command doesn't work, enter the following command instead:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Once you restart the phone, it will accept any pattern to unlock, and you can set a new pattern.

Factory Reset

If your Google account or resetting the pattern aren't options, then you'll likely have to reset your phone to factory defaults. This will unlock the pattern and restore control of your phone at the cost of all of your saved data and applications. Applications can be re-downloaded and installed from the Google Play store at no cost, while your other data will need to be restored from a backup. Otherwise, this data is lost. In order to perform the hard reset required, you'll need to look up the hard reset instructions for your particular device. The method of resetting outside of the Android OS differs from one manufacturer and model to the next. Once the device has been reset, you can begin reloading your apps and data as well as set a new security pattern.

Precautions

Factory resetting your Android device should be a last option, and the best way to prevent it is to prepare ahead of time. Make sure your Google account is set up and easy to remember, and make sure that your device has Wi-Fi enabled whenever possible in case of a lockout. Back up your Android device regularly to keep a copy of your data on hand in case you are forced to factory reset and lose all of your original data.

References

Resources

Image Credit

Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Hello everyone.

I am testing a BYOD scenario on one of my test phones at work. I applied a policy, that after 10 bad password attempts to unlock your phone, it will be wiped. And I tried testing it. Here's what happened.

• 1 to 5 attempts: Message that password is wrong

• 5th attempt: Locked out for 30 seconds.

• 6 to 9 attempts: Message that if I try to unlock x more times, phone will be wiped.

• 10th attempt: Phone will reboot into recovery and do a wipe.

So, as soon as I saw "Rebooting" message, I pulled battery.

Phone rebooted back to Android after battery was put back in. Still locked. But this time, there were no wipe attempts. All it does, after every 5th attempt, is lock you out for 30 seconds. I am up to 50 tries.

This is on CM12, running on Note II phone.

Anyone encountered same issue?

Most of us prefer to setup screen lock to our Android smartphones either by entering some complex PIN, pattern or password. However, you will almost certainly agree that such intricate locks become a menace in situation when unfortunately you forget the code and fail to decode it multiple times. No matter how petrifying that moment is there are certain quick solutions that will help you regain access to your Android smartphone in a jiffy! What are they? Well, read to find out…

Method 1: Unlock via Forgot Pattern

If you are using a device with 4.4 or older Android version then you will possibly know the ‘Forgot Pattern’ feature wherein, if you have failed to unlock your smartphone continuously for five times a message pop up’s on the screen that says ‘Try after 30 seconds’ when you see this message all you need to do is:

Step 1: Click on “Forgot pattern” at the bottom of the lock screen.

Step 2: You would asked to enter your primary Google Account details i.e. username and password –> Once done click on Next

Step 3. You can draw a new pattern to unlock your phone –> Tap on continue when done

Step 4: Draw the pattern once again –>Tap on Confirm when done.

Step 5: You can now unlock your phone with the new pattern lock

You can follow the similar process in case you have forgotten the PIN to unlock your device.  

Method 2: Android Smart Lock Feature: (Android 5.0 version & up)

Smart Lock is a cleverly designed security feature that’s present in many of the latest Android smartphones. What makes Smart lock a coolest feature in Android smartphone is that it let’s your device unlock automatically when your phone is with you or maybe when you are at home or you have enabled it with any bluetooth device like a smartwatch or bluetooth headset with your smartphone. In other words, you needn’t have to every time unlock your smartphone with PIN, password or pattern. Sounds Interesting? Well, here’s how you can enable and use this exciting feature in your Android smartphone.

Step 1: Open the settings option –> Tap on the Security & location or Lock screen –> Tap on the Smart lock option under Security & location

Step 2: You would asked to enter your PIN, password or pattern to unlock

Step 3: You will come across a couple of options to choose from

• On-body detection
• Trusted places
• Trusted Devices 
• Voice Match

Let’s take a quick look at how the smart lock feature will function when enabled with each of the above options.

1) On-body detection:

If you toggle this option then, your phone will stay unlocked till the time you are holding in your hand, your pocket or bag. However, for instance if you place your device on the table, your device will automatically get locked in a minute’s time. Additional to this, in some smartphones you will also find that the on-body detection feature manages to detect your walk as well how? Well the on-body detection option automatically saves the accelerometer data about your walk pattern and determines when you’re carrying your device.

However, when you disable the on-body detection option the accumulated data of your walk pattern gets deleted.

How to enable on- body detection:

Step 1: Tap on-body detection

Step 2: Toggle the on-body detection

2) Trusted Places:

Your trusted location can go out beyond the walls of your home for instance, work place, gym etc. It can keep your device unlocked within a radius of up to 80 meters. For instances you want to add your home as a trusted place then;

Step 1: Tap on the trusted place option

Step 2: Tap on Home

Step 3: You can enter your home address or tap on the map to mark the exact location

Note: Trusted places works best with Wi-Fi This detail will automatically get updated on your Google search, Google Maps

3) Trusted Device:

The trusted device option you need to pair your smartphone with any wireless bluetooth device for instance it could be a fitness tracker, smartwatch or bluetooth speaker to name a few. When you connect your smartphone with any of these designate devices your phone will automatically get unlocked. However, the only drawback of enabling this option is;Bluetooth connectivity range can go upto approximately between 80-100 meters and anyone within that range can possibly unlock your phone when it’s connected with the trusted device.

Step 1: In the Smart Lock menu, tap Trusted devices.

Step 2: Tap Add trusted device.

Step 3: On the list of devices, tap a device.

Step 4: Optional: To remove a Bluetooth device, tap the device you want to remove. Then, tap OK.

4) Voice Match:

Want to unlock your smartphone with your Voice? Well smart lock feature makes that possible as well with the help of Google Assistant. All you need to do is; say ‘Ok Google’ from a secure lock screen when Google Assistant recognizes your voice it will automatically unlock your smartphone. Here’s how you can enable voice match to unlock your smartphone:

Step 1: Hold on the home button of your smartphone

Step 2: You will find a small round symbol (resembling a compass) –> Tap on it

Step 3: Tap on More (the three vertical dots on the top right of the screen) –>Tap on Settings –> Tap on Assistant under settings

Step 4: Click on Phone under Assistant device –> Enable the Unlock with Voice Match option 

OR

Step 1: Tap on the Voice Match option under Smart Lock

Step 2: Tap on the unlock with Voice match option under Ok Google detection –> you would be asked to enter the PIN, pattern or password to proceed. A security notification will appear on the screen that warns you about this feature being less secure –> Click on OK to proceed further.

Note: This setting can be a little less secure as anyone can record your voice to unlock your phone and access it or someone who shares a similar voice can also try to unlock your smartphone.

Method 3: Third Party Apps

Nowadays, you probably must have noticed many smartphone manufacturers are coming up with their own security features. Let’s take one of the most popular brands in smartphone– Samsung for instance many of us are aware of the Find My Mobile software a built in security software designed and developed by the brand itself. As the name suggest this software helps in tracing the smartphone’s current location if it’s stolen or misplaced by the owner. However, that’s not all, it also allows you to unlock your device in case you want to bypass the lock screen process. But for this, you need to have a Samsung account. So, here’s how you can go about unlocking your smartphone via Find My Mobile.

Step 2: Select ‘Lock my screen’ option in left corner and enter a new PIN in the space provided and then hit on LOCK option. After few seconds, the password will be changed to the new password you have set and your device will be unlocked.

Method 4: Reboot Your Phone

If the lock screen you’re trying to evade is a third-party app, booting into safe mode is the easiest way to get around it. For most phones, you can boot into safe mode by bringing up the power menu from the lock screen, then long-pressing the “Power off” option. From here, choose “OK” when asked if you’d like to boot into safe mode, and when the process finishes, your third-party lock screen app will be temporarily disabled.

From here, simply clear data on the third-party lock screen app or uninstall it, then reboot your phone to get back out of safe mode. When you get back up, the troublesome lock screen app should be gone.

Method 5: Crash the Lock Screen  

If your smartphone is running on Android 5.0 to 5.1 and if all of the above options aren’t a viable for you then, there’s another potential option that you can try it’s the crashing of the screen lock. For this you need to:

Step 1: First, tap the “Emergency Call” option on your lock screen –>enter 10 asterisk (*) on the dialer interface.

Step 2: Double – tap on the on the asterisks –>Choose Copy

Step 3: Paste the copied text in the same place (dialer interface) to double the amount of characters entered –>Repeat this process until double –tapping the field no longer highlights the characters entered on the dialer interface.

Step 4: Once done, go back and open the camera app shortcut from the bottom of the locked screen Pull down the notification panel –> Tap on the Settings app

Step 5: You will be asked to enter the password –> Paste the copied password several times until the lock screen crashes

Step 6: You can now access your smartphone’s interface without losing any data.

Note: This method won’t work on any third party type of secure lock screen.

Method 6: Perform a Factory Reset

If getting access to your phone is the only thing and you don’t mind bidding farewell to all the data stored in your device then factory reset is your go to option. Factory reset wipes off all the data permanently from your device and giving it a complete brand new look and feel. Well the process of factory reset could vary from device to device but the end result is the same.  

Step 1: Turn the device on, and hold down a combination of your buttons to access the boot menu. (For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 requires you to hold down Power, Volume up and Home.)

Step 2: If you can’t find the correct combo, it should be easy to find the information online. It’s usually Power, Volume down and Camera for most Android devices.

Step 3: Use your phone’s volume keys to navigate up and down, and the Power key to confirm your selection.

Step 4: Find the option that will allow you to Wipe Data/Factory Reset.

Step 5: Confirm that you want to wipe your device, and the phone should now begin the process. (It can take several minutes to complete, depending on the amount of data on your phone.)

Step 6: When completed, the device will restart without the passcode, but also without your data.

Note: If it’s a latest smartphone, you’ll be prompted to log in with the Google account and password that were previously used on the device before it was reset.

We do tend to forget the access code to our devices and it’s completely okay after all to err is human. So if the next time you ever happen to be in such a scenario you can try any of the above methods to unlock your smartphone quickly.

If you have you ever been in such a situation before and used any of the above mentioned methods to unlock your device, then do share your experience with us. And, if you know of any other ways to unlock the Android smartphone then do share it with us. Also, liked this article then do share it with your family and friends.

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