Anyone using an Android device without a screen lock lives dangerously. Without a pattern lock, a pin or the like, anyone can easily spy on the smartphone or tablet . A screen lock is inevitable. But what if you forget this? For example, if you want to unlock a long time unused second cell phone and do not remember the pattern, pin or password?
Problems with Smart Lock? No problem!
Basically: Do not confuse the display lock with the Smart Lock function. Android devices from version 5.0 (Lollipop) offer as a supplement the so-called Smart Lock. This feature is optional and offers the option of unlocking your device via voice or face recognition in addition to the screen lock in use. Certain places or devices (such as the Smart Watch connected via Bluetooth) can also be used for the smartphone or tablettemporarily without screen lock to use. If you have difficulty with such a Smart Lock function - eg. For example, because your phone will no longer recognize your voice due to a cold - then you may be reassured. Because you can still use at any time your chosen display lock (ie pattern, pin or password). The display lock is and remains your "master key". Smart Lock can be set up and deactivated via the security settings of your Android device.
But what if you have forgotten your display lock, ie your pattern, password or pin? This can really be a real problem. Because these screen locks are firmly connected to the device. For example, if you forget your Google Account password, you can usually reset it. Or forgot SIM pin? Contact your mobile service provider. Not so easy it works at the screen locks. But it is not impossible!
For older devices: "Forgotten pattern?"
The easiest way is to use a pattern as a display lock and use an older smartphone or tablet . Meant are devices with the AndroidVersion 4.4. (KitKat) or older. (For information: There are newer versions of Android since late 2014. If you have received a system update in recent years, you probably already have a newer version than Android 4.4.) For older Android devices offer the possibility of a forgotten Pattern easy to get around. Because if you should enter a pattern five times wrong here, a button "Forgotten pattern?" Appears. Touch it to get your forgotten lock pattern back using the Google account you've just deposited. Of course, the prerequisite is that you have also linked your Android device to such an account.
Renew password - with the "Find my device"
The Google account can also unlock newer smartphones and tablets , including pin and password display locks. This is possible thanks to the function "Find my device", which is usually included on newer Android devices. Sometimes this feature is also known as "Android Device Manager" or "Find my Device". This tool helps you locate a lost smartphone or tablet remotely. For example, you can ring the device remotely (if you want to find it again). And on some smartphones and tablets, it is also possible to change the password remotely. But this varies from device to device - but you should try it.
The basic requirement is that you use your Android device with a Google Account. Also, "find my device" should be activated, but this is usually the default. (This is usually adjustable in the device's security settings, below the "Device Administrators" directory.) Now , visit the android.com/find website , and log in with the Google Account you also use for use the Android device. This is where all the devices associated with the Google Account are listed in the top left corner. Select the device you want to use so that Find My Device can initially connect to it. This may take a few minutes if necessary.
Now click on "Lock" on the left. With this function a device can be locked and provided with a message (eg to a thief). For some devices, you can also assign a new password here. In this case, select a new password and click "Lock" below. Wait a few seconds for the new password to be used. (In some cases, it works just a number pin, so try it!) If you bypass the screen lock in this way, you can then create a new, desired lock in your device's settings.
Samsung's "Find My Mobile"
By the way: Also some device manufacturers offer such a service. Samsung for example: "Find My Mobile" is the name of the function, which has some similarities with the "Find my device" function of Google. Prerequisite is that the function has been activated on the smartphone or tablet under "Security". This requires a Samsung account, which is used for the "Find My Mobile". Here's how it works: Visit https://findmymobile.samsung.com/ and sign in to the Samsung account. Here you will find a function to reset the screen lock remotely.
Problems with third-party lock screens?
You do not use the normal screen lock, but use a third-party lock screen? For example, because this lock screen offers more functions and setting options than your smartphone or tablet normally offers? Then you're in luck: Again, you can trick to avoid the forgotten password or pattern. For this you need to in the so-called safe mode (safe or secure mode) of Androidswitch. Here you start the device without starting an installed app. In this way, you bypass the screen lock of the third-party app. (But be aware that some widgets may disappear as a result.) Safe Mode can be used differently for each manufacturer and device. Unfortunately, there is no uniformity here. The following suggestions could possibly lead to the goal:
The emergency solution: Reset the smartphone or tablet
Does not help any of the aforementioned solutions, unfortunately, only the mallet method remains: The device must be reset. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of data is lost and must be accepted. If many data - such as pictures, contacts, etc. - continue to be available via the Google account, various user accounts or backup options outside the smartphone or tablet , the loss is limited. Since you do not come to the settings menu to reset the device, you simply use one of the following ways:
Depending on the device, you first get an overview that does not yet offer the "Factory Reset". In this case select "Reboot to Bootloader" and later - in the next menu - "Boot to Recovery Mode". You may need to press a Power key and Lute key combination to get the recovery mode. For exact information on how to get into recovery mode, contact the manufacturer if necessary. ( PC world )
