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Need help with screen lock or removing data from screen locked i535

I'm sure it's been beaten like a dead horse... Yes I have searched all over XDA and other resources. It seems every time I think I find something... I'm one setting short or one model away from what would work.
Been working on this way too long and now I ask for your help.
I have a client who lost her daughter. (She drown). She has her phone (S3 I535 verizon) but no idea what the lock pin would be and has tried a couple but none work. Unfortunately she's on attempt 8/10 so two more tries and the phone factory resets and all is lost.
She really wants to recover her daughter's pictures and if possible remove the screen lock without losing data (either works for her if it can be done).
I've tried everything I can find.
While she has her gmail and password, when we logged in device manager listed no active devices. (was able to recover some pictures from a backup, but it appears gmail didn't back up more than a couple from a couple years ago.)
Logged into samsung to remote unlock it, but again, no devices on account.
ADB is a no-go because USB debugging is OFF
Tried to put TWRP on it but odin failed
(Found a thread here that seems to be quality but can't load the program in stock recovery and cant get CWM or TWRP on it without debugging.)
Any ideas?
I do not know the android version, but I suspect it is the newest. I used my old S3 to replicate it so I could try these things without damaging her phone and losing the data, and it's running 4.4.2

If you couldn't flash a recovery using Odin then you're probably right about it being on one of the newer versions(your phone), the boot loader got locked up tight and the only recovery we have available is Safestrap. This is a tough one. I'm no expert by far, take what I'm saying with a grain of salt and do your own researching before taking any action after reading this! I see two ways of recovering some or all data if the bootloader is locked(and the device storage isn't encrypted)
1. If you don't have equipment to directly read/write to the internal storage then point her somewhere that specializes in data recovery on smart phones.
2. Factory reset the device, try to recover "deleted" data.
If the bootloader wasn't/isn't locked down then you could probably flash a rom that didn't have the lock screen pin/pattern ect implemented. I don't have the i535 but I know that the prepaid version checks the system partition when flashing via Odin so this probably wouldn't work if it's locked but I can't confirm wether or not this is checked on the i535
Can you enter the stock recovery on the daughters phone just to verify if its updated or not. Should be a string near the top. If it ends with ne1 its on 4.4.2 and I don't recall the one for 4.3. If you're unable to enter the recovery because you have to enter the pin before there's an actual lock screen(with the clock, status bar, wallpaper ect) then it's likely encrypted and there's nothing that you can do about that.

OpenSourcererSweg said:
If you couldn't flash a recovery using Odin then you're probably right about it being on one of the newer versions(your phone), the boot loader got locked up tight and the only recovery we have available is Safestrap. This is a tough one. I'm no expert by far, take what I'm saying with a grain of salt and do your own researching before taking any action after reading this! I see two ways of recovering some or all data if the bootloader is locked(and the device storage isn't encrypted)
1. If you don't have equipment to directly read/write to the internal storage then point her somewhere that specializes in data recovery on smart phones.
2. Factory reset the device, try to recover "deleted" data.
If the bootloader wasn't/isn't locked down then you could probably flash a rom that didn't have the lock screen pin/pattern ect implemented. I don't have the i535 but I know that the prepaid version checks the system partition when flashing via Odin so this probably wouldn't work if it's locked but I can't confirm wether or not this is checked on the i535
Can you enter the stock recovery on the daughters phone just to verify if its updated or not. Should be a string near the top. If it ends with ne1 its on 4.4.2 and I don't recall the one for 4.3. If you're unable to enter the recovery because you have to enter the pin before there's an actual lock screen(with the clock, status bar, wallpaper ect) then it's likely encrypted and there's nothing that you can do about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can enter recovery mode and I do believe it is 4.4.2.
because of the delicate nature of her phone (being her passed on daughter's and she used 9 of 10 attempts to guess her pin) I pulled my S3 out of the drawer (coincidentally I stopped using it about 2 weeks after she passed) and everything is identical down to the recovery string at the top. I know it's running the same software and I have all kinds of old pictures and texts on it like she would have and I am logged into gmail on it like she is. I locked the screen on MINE and I know the PIN on MINE. I also saved a backup of my stuff so I'm using my phone as the tester since I was able to put in in the identical situation
I have room to play because of that. Once I have success on mine, I'll try what worked on mine on hers.
So far I've tried...
play.google unlock... While I have now been able to get her device to appear on device manager on google's site, they changed it so that when I remote lock it the screen lock pin does NOT change.
I called Google, Samsung, and VERIZON. None have the ability to change or remove lock screen pin.
I tried ADB, but it doesn't detect any devices when I ADB shell or ADB device.
USB DEBUGGING IS OFF (or we wouldn't be having this convo)
It has stock recovery and not CWM or TWRP (again if I could get one of those on there, we wouldn't be having this convo) (tried ODIN flashing TWRP on, but fails)
---------------------------
Every direction I head I hit a brick wall.
I've never heard of being able to recover data from internal SDcard after reset. Didn't think that was possible.

FYI. recovery mode string is...
ANDROID system recovery <3e>
KOT49H.I535VRUDNE1

Wking46 said:
I can enter recovery mode and I do believe it is 4.4.2.
because of the delicate nature of her phone (being her passed on daughter's and she used 9 of 10 attempts to guess her pin) I pulled my S3 out of the drawer (coincidentally I stopped using it about 2 weeks after she passed) and everything is identical down to the recovery string at the top. I know it's running the same software and I have all kinds of old pictures and texts on it like she would have and I am logged into gmail on it like she is. I locked the screen on MINE and I know the PIN on MINE. I also saved a backup of my stuff so I'm using my phone as the tester since I was able to put in in the identical situation
I have room to play because of that. Once I have success on mine, I'll try what worked on mine on hers.
So far I've tried...
play.google unlock... While I have now been able to get her device to appear on device manager on google's site, they changed it so that when I remote lock it the screen lock pin does NOT change.
I called Google, Samsung, and VERIZON. None have the ability to change or remove lock screen pin.
I tried ADB, but it doesn't detect any devices when I ADB shell or ADB device.
USB DEBUGGING IS OFF (or we wouldn't be having this convo)
It has stock recovery and not CWM or TWRP (again if I could get one of those on there, we wouldn't be having this convo) (tried ODIN flashing TWRP on, but fails)
---------------------------
Every direction I head I hit a brick wall.
I've never heard of being able to recover data from internal SDcard after reset. Didn't think that was possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With HDDs I know it's possible as I have done it before. The only issue is not overwriting the data when reinstalling a operating system ect. Flash is abit dififfrent but still doesnt overwrite deleted data as soon as its deleted. If you're willing to try it on your gs3 first then go for it. Since the data is very important, I would have her take it to someone who specializes in data recovery instead of trying to wipe it and get the data off it just in case.
Are you able to remotely install applications though the Google Play site or by other means? Might be able to get a shell from one of the ssh server apps if they run the server on startup. If you can get a shell you should be able to work from there.

OpenSourcererSweg said:
With HDDs I know it's possible as I have done it before. The only issue is not overwriting the data when reinstalling a operating system ect. Flash is abit dififfrent but still doesnt overwrite deleted data as soon as its deleted. If you're willing to try it on your gs3 first then go for it. Since the data is very important, I would have her take it to someone who specializes in data recovery instead of trying to wipe it and get the data off it just in case.
Are you able to remotely install applications though the Google Play site or by other means? Might be able to get a shell from one of the ssh server apps if they run the server on startup. If you can get a shell you should be able to work from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can remotely install apps via google play site. If I could find a shell that works on startup... please let me know what that does for me?

Wking46 said:
I can remotely install apps via google play site. If I could find a shell that works on startup... please let me know what that does for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SSH access may let you transfer some files on the device to another machine. (Assuming that it will connect to known wifi networks while locked)

OpenSourcererSweg said:
SSH access may let you transfer some files on the device to another machine. (Assuming that it will connect to known wifi networks while locked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No such luck. Looks like all of them would need me to log in to set them up, which defeats the purpose.
I may have to wait and see if tech changes over time and keep trying until it does.

Wking46 said:
No such luck. Looks like all of them would need me to log in to set them up, which defeats the purpose.
I may have to wait and see if tech changes over time and keep trying until it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at this, https://www.nowsecure.com/blog/2015/06/16/remote-code-execution-as-system-user-on-samsung-phones/ may be able to remove the pin. Sorry if discussion about this isn't allowed or frowned upon. Seems like a pain and it may not work for the s3

OpenSourcererSweg said:
Take a look at this, https://www.nowsecure.com/blog/2015/06/16/remote-code-execution-as-system-user-on-samsung-phones/ may be able to remove the pin. Sorry if discussion about this isn't allowed or frowned upon. Seems like a pain and it may not work for the s3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't effect S3 vzw. only S4 and up

Wking46 said:
Doesn't effect S3 vzw. only S4 and up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I read "swift" as Swype and my Prepaid Verizon GS3 came with Swype preinstalled.
I have an idea, perhaps try the Verizon repair software "repair" the device to back up data while in Odin mode? I don't recall if it will require a password or anything.I don't believe it required USB debugging to be enabled, don't know if it works while in Odin mode. I don't know if the backups are encrypted or not. You can try using sandboxie to see where it keeps the backed up data. I don't know if it will backup data while you're in Odin mode though. Worth trying I suppose. Don't have time try my The self or I would. Sorry for the rushed message, I'll be home in about an hour though.

Phone Locked with Pattern... Forgot the Pattern.

Hello!
Well, I changed my pattern today. It was so complicated that I ended up forgetting how it was.
So, the thing is, I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find a solution to this. I am very upset because itlooks like doing a Hard Reset is more complicated than it should. Samsung phones you just need to press some keys and that's it. You have your recovery mode all set and ready to factory reset. But Sony? Of course not. I couldn't find any simple solution. I saw stuff like, unlocking the bootloader, this and that, but guess what? I don't have the USB Debbugging ON. All the tutorials I read said that I should have. And I'm not that expert on Android stuff either.
I'm sorry for dragging this too much, but this is such a nuisance. It shouldn't be this hard to factory reset my phone.
I hope someone out there can help me. I just want to reset my phone. I don't want special roms or anything. Just my phone bacon.
I'm sorry for my English.
Thank you for your time!
Edit: Forgot to tell which version my phone is.
Sony Xperia Z5 Dual (E6683)
Marshmallow (fully updated)

You can use flashtool/xperifirm to download and flash a new firmware (remember to wipe userdata and all other partitions)
Once this is done your phone should act as if new
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app

or u can use sony companion to repair ur device .
it will reset ur phone

I m sorry but you mentioned it like what Sony is doing wrong or either worse than what Samsung's solution is.
What if you are thief and trying to open up a phone that you have stolen.
What if you are a psycho who are trying to force control your little girl/wife's life by spying on her phone
Or maybe it is your phone that got stolen, would you want it to be accessed that easy by anyone?
It is good that, a secured phone stays secured irreversibly nowadays..

Can't you recover it by using your Google account login?

Charzieful said:
Hello!
Well, I changed my pattern today. It was so complicated that I ended up forgetting how it was.
So, the thing is, I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find a solution to this. I am very upset because itlooks like doing a Hard Reset is more complicated than it should. Samsung phones you just need to press some keys and that's it. You have your recovery mode all set and ready to factory reset. But Sony? Of course not. I couldn't find any simple solution. I saw stuff like, unlocking the bootloader, this and that, but guess what? I don't have the USB Debbugging ON. All the tutorials I read said that I should have. And I'm not that expert on Android stuff either.
I'm sorry for dragging this too much, but this is such a nuisance. It shouldn't be this hard to factory reset my phone.
I hope someone out there can help me. I just want to reset my phone. I don't want special roms or anything. Just my phone bacon.
I'm sorry for my English.
Thank you for your time!
Edit: Forgot to tell which version my phone is.
Sony Xperia Z5 Dual (E6683)
Marshmallow (fully updated)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can enter fastboot and clear cache and userdata... If You wasn't fix problem, please be free to let Us know if problem is there. Cheers

just recover it with google account simple as that, to do so just spam wrong pattern for 5-6 times and it will show you how to recover it.

The Fastboot didn't work. The phone is not rooted or have any recovery.
What I did to fix my problem was Flashing it with a software called XperFirm. It just installed a new firmware and that's it! Thanks!

Root & Security Questions

Hi there,
I recently lost my phone outside with GPS disabled, only got it back through 110% luck
and this got me thinking about the device security.
For some time now I can call myself a owner of a OnePlus 6 phone,
in the beginning I was really convinced of the brand and phone but over the time some questions accured.
at the moment im running OOS v9.0.3 with
bootloader unlocked,
Magisk v18 and
Bluspark Twrp v9.85v2
passing dm & SafetyNet
(phone is encrypted as by default)
Now here are my questions I couldnt find a clear answer to:
1. Using a flash or the factory unbrick tool, how easy is it for a potential thief to wipe/reset an encrypted device (with locked bootloader) to keep using it/sell it?
2. is it possible and or safe to relock the bootloader with the phone still rooted (Magisk etc)?
2.1 if thats possible, is there a way to unlock the bootloader again (using root) without wiping the phone?
3. has the possibility to "fastboot boot" an image on an encrypted phone with locked bootloader(to access the phone) been fixed?
4. is there a way to disable the lockscreen quick settings in general or certain ones like flight,gps,data and wifi; without removing them from the quick settings?
5. is there a way to dsiable the lockscreen power menu (when holding the button for 3 secs)?
6. is there a way to disable powering off the phone by holding the power key for 10 seconds in general or e.g. when the screen is locked?
7. is there a way to remotely/programmatically enable gps on the device?
8. if I start messing wit the kernel and should f**k up badly, could the factory unbrick tool still fix it?
9. Could one or more of the previous things be achieved by an App(with root access) or by modifying the kernel? I do have quite some programming knowledge, sadly not with phones/android/linux yet - but Im willing to get into it.
Thats it for now, thanks if you have read this far.
Since I dont know that much about this topic in detail I would appreciate any help, information or correction of myself.
Greetings from Germany

Hexxonite said:
Hi there,
I recently lost my phone outside with GPS disabled, only got it back through 101% luck
and this got me thinking about the device security.
For some time now I can call myself a owner of a OnePlus 6 phone,
in the beginning I was really convinced of the brand and phone but over the time some questions accured.
at the moment im running OOS v9.0.3 with
bootloader unlocked,
Magisk v18 and
Bluspark Twrp v9.85v2
passing dm & SafetyNet
(phone is encrypted as by default)
Now here are my questions I couldnt find a clear answer to:
1. Using a flash or the factory unbrick tool, how easy is it for a potential thief to wipe/reset an encrypted device (with locked bootloader) to keep using it/sell it?
2. is it possible and or safe to relock the bootloader with the phone still rooted (Magisk etc)?
2.1 if thats possible, is there a way to unlock the bootloader again (using root) without wiping the phone?
3. has the possibility to "fastboot boot" an image on an encrypted phone with locked bootloader(to access the phone) been fixed?
4. is there a way to disable the lockscreen quick settings in general or certain ones like flight,gps,data and wifi; without removing them from the quick settings?
5. is there a way to dsiable the lockscreen power menu (when holding the button for 3 secs)?
6. is there a way to disable powering off the phone by holding the power key for 10 seconds in general or e.g. when the screen is locked?
9. is there a way to remotely/programmatically enable gps on the device?
10. if I start messing wit the kernel and should f**k up badly, could the factory unbrick tool still fix?
11. Could one or more of the previous things be achieved by an App(with root access) or by modifying the kernel? I do have quite some programming knowledge, sadly not with phones/android/linux yet - but Im willing to get into it.
Thats it for now, thanks if you have read this far.
Since I dont know that much about this topic in detail I would appreciate any help, information or correction of myself.
Greetings from Germany
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Very easy. Only Google's welcome screen would ask to log in with the old account after a clean flash.
2) You can, but you shouldn't. Afaik it will say the device is compromised and display a red warning instead of the yellow one and won't boot.
3) No.
4) Use Cerberus Anti-Theft. That has it and a fake shutdown to make thieves think your device is off. Only a hard reset will make it turn on again but that's how you can track it if stolen.
5) Cerberus Anti-Theft again.
6) That's a hardware safety failure. So none that I know.
7) and 8) got lost lol
9) Cerberus Anti-Theft does that. Otherwise no.
10) Yes, fastboot boot would still work though I guess. At least on the other partition (A or B).
11) I'm not working for them but I recommend Cerberus again

Macusercom said:
1) Very easy. Only Google's welcome screen would ask to log in with the old account after a clean flash.
2) You can, but you shouldn't. Afaik it will say the device is compromised and display a red warning instead of the yellow one and won't boot.
3) No.
4) Use Cerberus Anti-Theft. That has it and a fake shutdown to make thieves think your device is off. Only a hard reset will make it turn on again but that's how you can track it if stolen.
5) Cerberus Anti-Theft again.
6) That's a hardware safety failure. So none that I know.
7) and 8) got lost lol
9) Cerberus Anti-Theft does that. Otherwise no.
10) Yes, fastboot boot would still work though I guess. At least on the other partition (A or B).
11) I'm not working for them but I recommend Cerberus again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems like counting to 10 is pretty hard lol
I think its pretty sad that relocking the bootloader isnt possible (heard it was on the Nexus4 I believe?) but I guess the "boot"-issue makes that obsolete anyways \:
I just hope that companys will continue to strive for best customizability while improving on security details like these...
so whats left is to have faith in humanity I guess ^^
Anyways, thanks for the quick reply and happy new year I guess
P.S. gonna check out that Cerberus you talked about

Cerberus is one of the best antitheft apps out there.
Had bought it and used it for more than 4-5 years, although never really needed it under emergency.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

Install CWM over stock recovery

My friend has a J4+ for which he forgot Pattern lock. its on latest pie update - J415FXXU2BDSP
His USB debugging is off, OEM unlock is off.
Now, he wants to unlock the phone, but doesnt want to lose data because he has some sensitive data which would help in his divorce case.
I thought of using recovery to delete the gesture.key file, but his recovery is stock.
So, need to install custom recovery first.
Tried to install TWRP from Odin, but failed because of FRP lock.
Tried Aroma installer from SD card, but it says signature verification failed.
Any way I can get custom recovery installed on his phone?
I know CWM would work, but couldnt find it anywhere for this particular model (i believe CWM is very old now).
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in Advance.

Nobody forgets a pattern lock if you regularly use the device.
Even then mine is the same for all devices, so even if I hadn't used a particular device for a good while I'd still know it.
Some one elses device by any chance?

ashyx said:
Nobody forgets a pattern lock if you regularly use the device.
Even then mine is the same for all devices, so even if I hadn't used a particular device for a good while I'd still know it.
Some one elses device by any chance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thing you don't manage devices at a big company then...
Some people manage to forget passwords after 4 hours of work. :silly:

Using ADB in recovery mode - recovering files from a locked phone

Hello, here's my problem: I accidentally put a schematic as a code on my phone that I immediately forgot. Now that I only have access to the lock screen, I can't put my phone in file transfer mode because I'd like to retrieve it before resetting my phone (which is, by the way, a Redmi Note 6 pro up-to-date, not rooted, no TWRP, and the bootloader is still locked). It's possible to use ADB to retrieve files, but I can't allow access to the computer from my phone either, so ADb is unusable when my phone is turned on. Nevertheless, it's obviously possible to use it in recovery mode, if you have the right drivers. I went to look for them, but during the installation, Windows tells me that a better driver, ADB devices, is already installed, and I can't install my driver. I obviously tried to find a way to ignore this warning, notably by asking during the manual driver installation to search the hard drive, but it tells me via this method that no driver is contained in the indicated directory (which is wrong, at least from what I see, the necessary files are all there).
So I search either :
- a driver that won't have this problem and that will allow adb to work in recovery mode;
- a way to force the installation of this driver;
- another way to use ADB in recovery mode;
- another way to recover my files while the phone is locked and I can't give it access to the computer.
Otherwise, any idea that can solve my problem is fine with me.
Thank you in advance and have a nice day!

https://c.mi.com/thread-2207444-1-0.html
For drivers.
And use OrangeFox Recovery

He can't install any custom rec. The phone not unlocked. I don't think you have a Chance to get your data. For future make the most files that you don't wanna Lose on a sd card not on intern storage.
Update: on little search on Google i found this Blog. https://www.androiddata-recovery.com/blog/how-to-retrieve-deleted-data-from-xiaomi-redmi-phones
On method 4 is maybe a reason for your matter.

ALcAtRas500 said:
He can't install any custom rec. The phone not unlocked. I don't think you have a Chance to get your data. For future make the most files that you don't wanna Lose on a sd card not on intern storage.
Update: on little search on Google i found this Blog.
On method 4 is maybe a reason for your matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will try this and and I'll up the topic and say whether or not I passed. And don't worry, I won't make that mistake twice, that'll teach me...

Kyrela said:
Thanks, I will try this and and I'll up the topic and say whether or not I passed. And don't worry, I won't make that mistake twice, that'll teach me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The message wasn't sent... well, I was saying that the website was affiliated with a software, and was totally lying since the data recovery function is only compatible with samsung. So it looks like there's no solution for me...

Kyrela said:
The message wasn't sent... well, I was saying that the website was affiliated with a software, and was totally lying since the data recovery function is only compatible with samsung. So it looks like there's no solution for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately for you you cannot recover your files. As your phone's bootloader is locked and even though some softwares claim to work even with formatted phones they don't because of encryption and this new type of formatting where the data gets destroyed. Even It happened to me once I had unlocked and rotted my phone by for some reason when I was going back to stock ROM my phone data got destroyed dueto my carelessness during encryption and that's the story. After that I tried different softwares to recover photos but non of them worked. Only thing is you can get your Device unlocked