A screen lock is used to protect your device from strangers. In the latest devices, among other things, it allows the use of a fingerprint, in all others, a digital password or pattern is usually used. However, sometimes the graphic key pattern is forgotten. As a result, access to the phone is not possible. In this article, you will find information on how to change the pattern in several ways.
How to change the lock if you remember the combination?
If it is possible to unlock a mobile device, then removing the pattern in the settings is not difficult. To do this, follow the step-by-step instructions:
- open the "Settings" tab in your tablet or phone;
- select the "Security" section and enter it;
- open the item "Lock screen";
- in the window that appears, select "None" or "Scroll".
After these steps, the mobile device can easilyunlock even to an outside user. If necessary, you can set another graphic key or digital password in the same menu. After changing the password, it is recommended to write it down somewhere in order to avoid problems with blocking the device in the future.
Making a call
Sometimes it happens that the user forgot the graphic key pattern, especially if it was installed recently. How to be in such a case? You can unlock an Android-based device by calling it. On older models, during an incoming call, it is possible to enter the menu without using a pattern key.
So, during the call, perform the following actions:
- You must press the Home key.
- Then go to the device settings and change or remove the graphic key according to the previous scheme.
Battery drain
You can try to remove the lock by exploiting the vulnerability of the device through a low battery signal. The process takes time, but sometimes there may be no other way.
How to do it:
- When the display shows a low battery message, you can open the Settings tab.
- In the window that appears, open the "Security" section and disable the pattern.
It is necessary to act very quickly. After all, there is not much time before the device is completely turned off.
If there is a Google registration
To remove the graphic key, if you forgot it, and unlock the gadget, you can use the Google registration. To do this, follow the step-by-step instructions:
- You must make at least five attempts to enter the pattern. Since they are all entered incorrectly, the device remains locked. The display will prompt you to try again after a while.
- If your mobile device has a "Home" button, this key is displayed after incorrect attempts to enter the pattern. If it is not there, then you need to try to enter the key several more times. It is worth noting that this method only works if you have an Internet connection, in other cases you need to use other unlock options.
- The principle of solving the problem is that by pressing the "Home" button, the user will be able to use his Google account and change the picture. To log in, you need to enter your email login details and password, and then click OK. If the data was entered correctly, the user will be authorized and will be able to change the pattern to a new one.
This option is only suitable if you have registered with Google, you have not forgotten your username and password, and you have an internet connection.
File Manager
During the installation of the pattern key, a separate file is created in the device system that stores information about the lock. If you delete it, the password will be canceled and access todevice usage will be opened. To do this, you will need a special program, for example, File Manager, and your smartphone must also have CWM or Recovery. In order to remove the graphic key, you must follow the following step-by-step instructions:
- Download the file manager and leave it unzipped. It must remain in ZIP format.
- Using a computer, a program is downloaded to the device's memory card. You can also use a card reader or another phone.
- The SD card is being inserted into the device to be unlocked.
- Simultaneously pressing the volume and power buttons reboots Recovery.
- Then select the item "Install ZIP from SD card" indicating the archive.
- After that, you need to confirm the action, and the file manager will start.
- Then you need to open the DATA/SYSTEM folder and find the gesture.key file. or password.key and delete.
Thus, the password will be removed and the phone will be unlocked. All that remains is to change it and this time remember or write down the lock combination.
ADB program
If the previous method could not be implemented for some reason, you can apply an alternative method of a similar principle of operation and remove the pattern from Android.
To do this, it is recommended to use the ADB computer program. It is designed for a variety of operations, including deleting the gesture.key file. To use it on your phone, you mustthe USB function is enabled. Also, you need to download the corresponding script from the Internet to perform all the actions. To unlock the device, you need to follow the instructions:
- The ADB program is installed on the computer, and then saved to the C drive.
- The device is connected to the computer via a USB cable.
- Then run the downloaded script, which will open the command line.
- The deletion of the file is confirmed, and after the offer to restart the device, click "allow".
- When the reboot starts, the smartphone is disconnected from the USB cable.
- After the reboot, you will need to enter a new password, then go to the settings and remove the pattern.
Thus, you can open the smartphone without using a password. It should be clarified that there are no programs that can pick up a pattern, so only such options are used.
Using Third Party Applications SMS Bypass
You can remove a forgotten pattern from Android using a third-party application. To use this method of unlocking a smartphone, you must have administrative rights and the ability to install such a program.
The principle is simple: when you lock the display, you need to send a special message to your smartphone. In this case, SMS serves as a code that allows you to deactivate the graphic key. To implement this method, you must follow the instructions:
- Get access to account using root-rights.
- Go to the Play Market and enter SMS Bypass in the search engine, then install the utility in Android. It is worth noting that the program is paid.
- Open the app and go to settings, change the password and grant administrative rights.
The application is ready to go. How does it work? Messages with the text XXXXreset are sent to the locked device (x in this case is the password to reset the key). After receiving a message on the device, an automatic reboot will begin. Then you can reinstall the pattern or apply another lock method.
It is worth noting that the application can be installed on a locked smartphone, but only through root-rights.
If all else fails
If, after applying all kinds of methods, it was not possible to unlock the device, the last option remains - to reset to factory settings. The main disadvantage is the loss of all data: contacts, photos, music and other files that cannot be restored if there is no backup.
To perform a reset, you need to follow several steps:
- Turn off smartphone.
- Simultaneously press the volume and power buttons to go to the engineering menu.
- Find and select the line Clear eMMC or wipe data/factory reset.
- After the removal is complete, select the Reboot System line.
After completing the described steps, the mobile device will return toinitial settings, and the pattern will disappear. After the reboot, the device will be completely clean, like new.
If you have problems remembering your pattern, you may need to find a different lock method.
