Lock screen won't recognize PIN/Pattern bug? - General Questions and Answers

I can't unlock my phone with the Pattern I assigned it. I always use the same Pattern, so I was pretty sure it's not an error. When I draw the pattern, it says "incorrect pattern" and makes me wait 30 seconds before trying again (from the first try).
Luckily, I have access to Samsung's Find my Mobile, I unlocked the device, removed the lock. But every time I restart the device, the bugged lock screen would come back, and I would have to unlock the device again with Find my Mobile.
please note that I can't set a new lock after unlocking the device, it will revert back to no lock after setting a new pattern/pin/password. definitely a bug.
if there is any method to fix this, or to reset Samsung's lock screen app, please let me know!
my device is Samsung Galaxy A8+ in case anyone was curious.

I never set a lock on a phone or bios password on PCs... now you know why.
You're lucky it was recoverable... some lockouts are not
Data corruption can trigger this and it's just random luck if it happens or not. Even if rare you can see the implications. You're now very close to being completely locked out as it stands
You can try a clearing the system cache and data from the apk(s) controlling it.
Try a hard reboot.
Factory reset... if that fails it's probably hardware. Or simply keep it unlocked and in your possession at all times which is the best security.

blackhawk said:
I never set a lock on a phone or bios password on PCs... now you know why.
You're lucky it was recoverable... some lockouts are not
Data corruption can trigger this and it's just random luck if it happens or not. Even if rare you can see the implications. You're now very close to being completely locked out as it stands
You can try a clearing the system cache and data from the apk(s) controlling it.
Try a hard reboot.
Factory reset... if that fails it's probably hardware. Or simply keep it unlocked and in your possession at all times which is the best security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to keep it unlocked, yet as I mentioned, it will spring back again immediately as I restart the phone. It won't be funny to get my phone locked outside my home and not having a pc near to access find my mobile to unlock it
I'm trying to avoid factory reset, too much data to back up and I'm quite lazy to do it
And it seems like there is no way to clear cache/data, as the Samsung's lock screen doesn't appear in storage/apps. (Or it is there with some strange system name?)

This thread may help you as it helped me. Read the full thread first.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/solved-samsung-a20-twrp-restore-data-sm-205w.4261401/

majdcomp said:
I'd like to keep it unlocked, yet as I mentioned, it will spring back again immediately as I restart the phone. It won't be funny to get my phone locked outside my home and not having a pc near to access find my mobile to unlock it
I'm trying to avoid factory reset, too much data to back up and I'm quite lazy to do it
And it seems like there is no way to clear cache/data, as the Samsung's lock screen doesn't appear in storage/apps. (Or it is there with some strange system name?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh my bad, it locks no matter what. That's not good.
Boot menu>clear system cache (don't hit factory reset by accident).
Google for the button sequence to hit for that model. Timing is critical, you might need to try more then once.
That might get it.
Try clearing the Dynamic Lock Screen data.
I would backup all critical data now if you haven't. Do not use Smart Switch to transfer settings if you do factory reset, ha-ha.
Someone here probably has a better solution as I know little about this system.
As always do a Google search, you can probably use solutions from other Samsung models going back a few years.
Erratic and strange behavior can also be a sign of a virus, rootkit etc.
When in doubt, factory reset especially if you can't track down the root cause.
Finding the root cause and correcting it is always preferable to a factory reset but not always possible. If the OS load is older then a year a factory reset be a good plan anyway... nothing like a clean, fresh OS.
Delete your Google account before you factory reset so that doesn't password pester you. I'm told if you reset from settings vs the boot menu that doesn't happen. Not sure haven't tried a factory reset that way.

sammiev said:
This thread may help you as it helped me. Read the full thread first.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/solved-samsung-a20-twrp-restore-data-sm-205w.4261401/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you do that on a stock Android that's not rooted?

blackhawk said:
Can you do that on a stock Android that's not rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to be rooted.

sammiev said:
You would need to be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read if you load TWRP you'll lose things like Samsung Pay.
Seems risky at least to me. I like to play with it but don't have a phone to burn.
A factory reset for me at this point is fairly painless ie no data loss and takes under a couple hours.

If it's of any interest here:
On Android the pattern lock data (SHA-encrypted) is kept in a file named gesture.key and stored in the /data/system folder.
If phone's Android is rooted you simply delete that file to bypass the pattern lock. Using ADB you would run command sequence
Code:
adb devices
adb shell "rm -f /data/system/gesture.key"
to achieve this.
The phone should be now accessible with no pattern lock applied.

Related

G1 Problem... Not even Tmo Techs can solve

Ok so I called up Tmo because my G1 is acting messed up. I spoke to about 6 different people who had no idea what the problem was, and all offered to send a replacement...
Scenerio:
I had the phone charging and when I unplugged it, I hit the red "Hang Up" button (so I can wake it up). Usually by doing this, the phone would prompt me to hit Menu > My Unlock code.
However, when I hit it, it took me right to the UI, the "Desktop."
So that caught me off guard. I figured I may have changed some setting before, so I went to Settings>Security and Location and made sure my "Require Pattern" was checked. IT WAS!
I even tried to re-do the "shape" i made for the unlock.
From here, I wanted to go back to the main menu (desktop) so I hit the HOME key. NOTHING. Yeah, the home key does nothing. Nor does the Green "Answer" button.
What I've done:
1) Reset the phone numerous times
2) Uninstalled most recent applications + more.
3) Spoke to Tmo who had no idea.
Do YOU guys have any idea? Lool.
Thanks!
I'm living in beijing right now so when i had the same problem with my white us G1 i had to figure out a way myself. what i did was to factory reset my G1 and it went back to normal.
raygun said:
I'm living in beijing right now so when i had the same problem with my white us G1 i had to figure out a way myself. what i did was to factory reset my G1 and it went back to normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Raygun,
Thanks for the reply.
Just wondering though:
If I backup my apps with MyBackup, would I be able to restore them back on as if I never did a factory restore? In other words, if I restore with the MyBackup Backup, would I receive full functionality of the apps again?
Thanks again
I've had a very similar problem on a development image. If the phone thinks that it isn't activated, then it disables keylock, home, and the call button. The activation flag is stored in a database somewhere, but I forget where. Doing a factory reset and then activating again should fix it (if that's the problem).
The nandroid backup might actually replicate the problem, because the activation flag is stored in the /data partition along with all your apps..
This might not be the problem though!
akapoor said:
Raygun,
Thanks for the reply.
Just wondering though:
If I backup my apps with MyBackup, would I be able to restore them back on as if I never did a factory restore? In other words, if I restore with the MyBackup Backup, would I receive full functionality of the apps again?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, minus the settings of each app, and the backing up of home shortcuts, if they are in folders...they won't be in the right place...but the placement of the folder and icons is correct, just not the ones inside of folders on the desktop.
aziwoqpd said:
I've had a very similar problem on a development image. If the phone thinks that it isn't activated, then it disables keylock, home, and the call button. The activation flag is stored in a database somewhere, but I forget where. Doing a factory reset and then activating again should fix it (if that's the problem).
The nandroid backup might actually replicate the problem, because the activation flag is stored in the /data partition along with all your apps..
This might not be the problem though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pychobj2001 said:
Yep, minus the settings of each app, and the backing up of home shortcuts, if they are in folders...they won't be in the right place...but the placement of the folder and icons is correct, just not the ones inside of folders on the desktop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you guys both.
Factory restoring right now. If it comes to the problem aziwopqd said (replicating the issue when restoring) I guess I'm outta luck.
Let's hope for the best.
Side question: (i know its been posted numerous times) If I root my G1, could i re-flash it back to "normal" (as if i bought it... brand new(original OS ))
Thnx
Best wishes,
Had the same problem... I thought mine was water damage though. There was a chance it had gotten wet but wasn't sure. I didn't even think to ask about it here so I sent it in and got a warranty exchange. New one works great, and I rooted it and got jf rc33 1.42 on it without even touching a computer. I thought it was cool lol
Oh ya, and yes you can restore it to factory everything. Just flash the .nbh file. You can even upgrade from there to the ota rc33 if you wanted to...
kindanewbie said:
Had the same problem... I thought mine was water damage though. There was a chance it had gotten wet but wasn't sure. I didn't even think to ask about it here so I sent it in and got a warranty exchange. New one works great, and I rooted it and got jf rc33 1.42 on it without even touching a computer. I thought it was cool lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to get the exchange, but I tried a Factory Reset. It solved the issue.
Haha - nicely done. All without touching a computer? Impressive.
Yup. Going through a divorce and wife took the computer so I didn't have a choice. All you need is linda file manager, and an unzip app. You can do it all with the default browser and those apps. Now I have everything saved on my sd card in different sub folders so I can root any g1 and flash the jf modded rc 33 by just popping my sd card in and putting the files on the root of the card in order. Done it to 2 others already.
kindanewbie said:
Yup. Going through a divorce and wife took the computer so I didn't have a choice. All you need is linda file manager, and an unzip app. You can do it all with the default browser and those apps. Now I have everything saved on my sd card in different sub folders so I can root any g1 and flash the jf modded rc 33 by just popping my sd card in and putting the files on the root of the card in order. Done it to 2 others already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry @ divorce.
Very neatly done. What unzip app did you use? I've tried the 2 (i could find), and they didn't really work. Lol.
Thanks...
I tried usuing linda first (love the app) since it says in supports unzipping. But nowhere could I find anything about how. So I got UnZip. It confused me at first, kept saying blah blah interupted blah force close or wait. So I force closed bout three times. Decided to press wait.... sure enough, sure enough about 1 min latter it prompted me 'unzip complete'. During that time, however, the phone 'acted' frozen. Couldn't scroll or press home or anything. But it worked in the end.
By any chance did those of you that lost your lock screen download the app aviator watch? I had this happen to me and that was the only app that I had installed before losing the lock screen. Also, I lost the option of silencing the phone if you hold down the power button. Under phone options it just said power off, the silent mode option was not avail.
Dharkaron said:
By any chance did those of you that lost your lock screen download the app aviator watch? I had this happen to me and that was the only app that I had installed before losing the lock screen. Also, I lost the option of silencing the phone if you hold down the power button. Under phone options it just said power off, the silent mode option was not avail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you mention it, I too lost the ability to silence with the power button. But no, never downloaded aviator watch...
aziwoqpd said:
I've had a very similar problem on a development image. If the phone thinks that it isn't activated, then it disables keylock, home, and the call button. The activation flag is stored in a database somewhere, but I forget where. Doing a factory reset and then activating again should fix it (if that's the problem).
The nandroid backup might actually replicate the problem, because the activation flag is stored in the /data partition along with all your apps..
This might not be the problem though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry sir, but I think you are right! I had the same exact problem and after reading this post. I thought I would try resetting the google account before a factory reset.
Went to Settings->Applications->Manage applications->Google Apps and cleared the data. Afterwards, it asked me to sign in as if I factory reset the phone. After inputting the credentials, everything started to work. Thanks!
Hope this helps anybody else.

Potential Encryption/Security Flaw?

Something strange and unexpected has happened with my Nexus 5... Upon first setting up my device after unlocking it and rooting it, I encrypted the phone before ever adding any of my info or apps to it, full knowing that I would forever have to use a locked screen etc. To side step the annoyance and lack of security that Android has with having the Encrypted boot time password being the exact same as the lockscreen's password I used this app 'Cryptfs Password' to change the boot time password to something much more lengthy and secure, while allowing me to have a standard simplified passcode for simple screen unlocks.
As time went on I found myself in need to wipe the device to troubleshoot an issue I was having with my wifi and wireless tethering no longer functioning properly, I wished to go back to an initial factory state to begin doing restores from Titanium to find the culprit per say and figur eout where I went wrong and borked my ability to toggle wifi.
Upon wiping the phone in TWRP (standard dalvik, cache, and ROM - not system or data) I rebooted and flashed my Titanium Backup.zip and Super USer.zip and then proceeded to set up the device again when I noticed something very odd...
I still needed to enter my previously exact password upon booting the device, however the lock screen no longer any security of any kind!
When I checked in settings this is what I found:
https://i.imgur.com/RR2SFxL.png
Clearly you can see the device is still encrypted however the default "slide" screen lock is now able to be used? Whaaaaat?!?!
Opening the Screen Lock settings menu reveals:
https://i.imgur.com/FtOqUY5.png
I have not yet sleected to change it to a PIN or PASSWORD as I am home and wanted to see if I could gather any other information about this first. I have a feeling that upon changing to a PIN or PASSWORD that I would not be able to change it back again.
Is this a flaw or error of some kind? I do not see any huge security vulnerability, I mean even though this does allow you to bypass the lockscreen, you still need the password at boot to even get into the phone or any Recovery - but this is interesting nonetheless. I was under the impression that it was IMPOSSIBLE to have both device encryption and essential NO LOCK SCREEN?!?!
I have seen threads such as this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1873700 where it is shown and discussed how to use the pattern lock for example, but this is obviously much different.
Can anyone else replicate this with their own android device?
EDIT:
Was able to find this thread https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/android-security-discuss/G4N5pBreyhM
where someone was able to essentially achieve a similar situation by using a 3rd party lock screen....

Lock Screen Not Working After Debloat

Hey everyone, like an idiot I was disabling some bloatware via ADB (through ADB App Control) and was not careful enough...I'm now facing a serious problem.
For my lock screen, I am still using the old school method of a pattern and after rebooting the lock screen comes up. The problem lies with the fact there is no area in order to enter in the pattern and am locked out of my phone.
Some of the packages I got rid of are overlays which I'm guessing is where the problem came from. Does anyone know exactly what packages I need to restore to get the lock screen back up and running again? Thanks in advance
I'd just undo everything you did, then you'll be sure to get it back.
otherwise just flash the firmware over itself to restore all those system packages that you disabled.
This is why I never debloat. it's just not worth it, and it more often than not causes problems.
I never made a note of the actual packages I disabled because I just did it though ADB App Control. You can easily restore them back but only if the phone is unlocked which I can't do now because of this issue.
Is there a list of all of OnePlus8T's preinstalled packages? Can't find one online anywhere....
Though I know flashing the firmware is the sure way to fix this, I'm looking to only do this as a last resort with all the work to setup the phone would take me again.
Is there a way to flash firmware over the top without wiping data on OnePlus? I know there is for most other OEMs.

Touchscreen, multi touch issue

Hi! My s10+ has multi touch, touchscreen issue. When I tapping on screen with 5,4 fingers it is very lagging. What cause of it? Is there any solution? Please, help me!
Clear system cache.
Try in safe mode to rule out a 3rd party app causing it.
When/how did it start?
Was it dropped or exposed to water?
Could it be malware, rootkit, etc? Always keep this in the back of your mind with abnormal unexplained behavior. Factory reset if there's any doubt or if it can't be promptly removed completely.
blackhawk said:
Clear system cache.
Try in safe mode to rule out a 3rd party app causing it.
When/how did it start?
Was it dropped or exposed to water?
Could it be malware, rootkit, etc? Always keep this in the back of your mind with abnormal unexplained behavior. Factory reset if there's any doubt or if it can't be promptly removed completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I tried everything. Clear cache, reboot into safe mode, factory reset. I didn't dropped into water.
enkhmunkhn said:
Yeah I tried everything. Clear cache, reboot into safe mode, factory reset. I didn't dropped into water but maybe because I bought it from second hand, and I didn't used any rootkit. It started since I bought it from second hand but I didn't noticed any touchscreen/multi touch issue. But it is OK for normal for Facebook, TikTok...etc because I scroll only one finger, so it is OK for normal use. For gaming (I play PUBG MOBILE) I use 4 finger. And touchscreen lags.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those social apps aren't good... none of that junk ever runs on my devices.
After the factory reset was it doing it before you loaded or updated anything?
Did you use SmartSwitch?
blackhawk said:
Those social apps aren't good... none of that junk ever runs on my devices.
After the factory reset was it doing it before you loaded or updated anything?
Did you use SmartSwitch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah touchscreen was still lagging
enkhmunkhn said:
Yeah touchscreen was still lagging
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you use SmartSwitch?
If so manually load and configure everything after the next factory reset and do not use SmartSwitch.
It maybe a hardware issue but you need a clean load to rule out a software issue.
If the above fails reflash to the stock rom... if all that fails to solve the issue it's likely hardware.
blackhawk said:
Did you use SmartSwitch?
If so manually load and configure everything after the next factory reset and do not use SmartSwitch.
It maybe a hardware issue but you need a clean load to rule out a software issue.
If the above fails reflash to the stock rom... if all that fails to solve the issue it's likely hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I've never used SmartSwitch before. Can you give me your social account? Fb, IG?
And touch stucks at where I tapped. (I tapped back button and its stuck)
Maybe it's cause of bad screen protector?
Install Good Lock family of apps then Navstar from the Galaxy store. See if playing with the setups in Navstar help.
Download One Handed Operation plus from Playstore. It has multiple navigation options to bypass the standard buttons.

Question I forgot my screen lock password. Is there a way to remove it without factory data reset?

I can still use biometrics to unlock my phone screen, but some settings on my phone need the lockscreen password. The password is also required if the phone is not in use for a period of several hours or after reboot. Is a factory data reset the only option? It was such a silly mistake.
Try this...
if you have twrp, i like to use this. It should remove lockscreen. Works on crDroid 7.13 (A11) on Samsung A40. For some reason, restoring backups always messes up the lockscreen gesture so I have to remove it.
Snowby123 said:
I can still use biometrics to unlock my phone screen, but some settings on my phone need the lockscreen password. The password is also required if the phone is not in use for a period of several hours or after reboot. Is a factory data reset the only option? It was such a silly mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can do it from a desktop through your account.

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