To protect data, Android has a function to protect the device with a digital or visual password (password-schedule or pattern). Thanks to the efforts of engineers, bypassing the security system is not so easy, scammers or thieves will not be able to unlock the phone or tablet. But what to do if it is you, the rightful owner of an android device, who forgot a digital combination or a linear drawing?

What is a password graph on android

On Android, in addition to the usual sequence of numbers, you can also set a password-schedule.

A square of nine dots (3x3) appears on the screen. The user must connect them with a line in a certain sequence, without lifting his finger from the screen.

A graphic password is an unbreakable line connecting certain points in a predetermined sequence.

In other words, a graphic password is a sequence of connecting dots. For example, the letter Z, a star, just some kind of line.

Graphic passwords are more popular on Android than digital passwords, because a linear pattern is easier to remember than a four-digit number. However, you can forget any, even the simplest, password.

How can you protect yourself from blocking your device?

How to prevent your phone or tablet from being locked

The Play Market has a program SMS Bypass, the essence of which is as follows: if the password is forgotten, the device can be unlocked by sending an SMS with a specific text from another phone to yours. When the message is received, the system will reboot and again prompt you to enter the password. Draw any line and the smartphone will unlock.

Such a program, of course, requires root access. Initially it is "1234 reset". It can be changed to any other, at your discretion.

SMS Bypass can be set via PC even after you have forgotten your password. But this requires root access (no wonder they say that root is insecure) or a Google Account.

What to do if you forgot your graphic password

There are several working methods that allow you to bypass protection and unlock your phone. Some will only work on certain versions of Android, others just work every other time. If one method doesn't work for you, try the next.

Login to Google Account

After 5-6 unsuccessful attempts to pick up a pattern password, the smartphone will prompt you to wait 30 seconds. At the same time, the button “Forgot graph. password?". Click on it. You will be asked to sign in to your Google account (the one your phone or tablet is linked to). If the data is entered correctly, the password will be reset.

To reset your password, sign in to your Google account

There is one caveat: if Android is blocked at the moment when it was not connected to the Internet, then it will not enter Google Account. In this case, you need to restart the device and drag the information bar down as soon as it appears. Then enter your account information as described above.

If you cannot turn on the Internet using the previous method, try using service codes.

1. To do this, click "Emergency Call" and enter the following character set: *#*#7378423#*#*.
2. In the menu that appears, intended for service center specialists, open Service Tests -> WLAN.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi.

Alas, with the help of service codes it is impossible to enable a mobile connection. However, you can try to remove and insert the SIM card again, it is possible that the phone will connect to the network on its own.

You can also try connecting a SIM card from another operator (megaphone, mts, beeline, etc.), sometimes it helps.

If you cannot activate the network, buy a microUSB to LAN adapter used to connect fiber optic cables. Connect it to your smartphone and router. After a while, the Internet will appear on the device.

Call a smartphone

The method will help only on Android OS versions 2.2 and below, then there were no such sophisticated security systems.

1. Call a blocked phone from any other.
2. Answer the call without delay.
3. Minimize the program and open "Settings", then "Security" and disable the passcode.

Dial the number

Even if the phone is locked, you can use it to call emergency services. In Android before version 5, there is such a feature: if you open the field for calling emergency services, and then press the "Back" button, then the Android screen will appear for half a second. You can use this moment to download the No Lock program and run it. The phone will be unlocked.

How to unlock pattern on Android 4.1.2 - video

Discharge phone

You can try to wait. At the moment when the charge is almost completely empty, Android will show you a corresponding message and offer you to look at the battery status. And the battery status is one of the sections of the "Settings" menu. So go to it, click on the arrow in the upper left corner of the screen, click on "Security" and cancel the password.

Delete files storing visual password data

The method is suitable for those who have a custom Recovery menu (CWM or TWRP) installed on Android. The essence of the method is to throw off the saved data about the graphic sequence, which is stored in the following files:

• gesture.key;
• locksettings.db
• locksettings.db-wal;
• locksettings.db-shm.

Via CWM

1. Download any file manager for Android from your computer and put it on a memory card.
2. Now turn on the Recovery Mod on the device (turn off the smartphone, and then hold down the "Home" button and the on / off button and hold for ten seconds until the manufacturer's logo appears).
3. Using Recovery, install the file manager and launch it.
4. Now open the /data/system/ folder
5. Delete all the above files.
6. Reboot the device and enter any pattern password. The smartphone will be unlocked.

Through TWRP

If TWRP is installed on the device as Recovery, then you can not download the file manager, since it is already embedded in the application.

1. Log in through the second user and install some file manager from the Play Market.
2. Open it and go to /data/system/ folder
3. Delete files:
   • gesture.key;
   • locksettings.db
   • locksettings.db-wal;
   • locksettings.db-shm.
4. Reboot your device and while entering the password, draw any line you want. Android is unlocked.

Unlock with ADB RUN

ADB RUN uses a console of ADB drivers that connect the mobile device to the computer. The program is convenient because it automates the process of working with the console. Especially for cases when a person forgets the password, there is the Unlock Gesture Key function.

Unlock Gesture Key translates as "unlock the graphic key."

Reset to factory settings

The most rude and clumsy way. But efficient. It is suitable for any version of Android and for all devices. But keep in mind that this will erase all information from the hard drive, and it will be impossible to restore it.

So, if you are desperate to bypass the lock in other ways, do a Hard Reset.

Hard Reset is a term that refers to resetting all settings to factory settings and deleting all data.

Contact support

You can contact technical support directly from Android or the device manufacturer. They will ask you to provide them with a receipt and other documents for a smartphone or tablet to confirm that you are the owner. After that, you will be told what to do next. You may have to go to the service center, but they will definitely help you.

How to set a new picture password

Let's say you reset your pattern password. Now let's talk about how to install a new one.

How to disable pattern password

To reset your password, open Settings -> Security -> Lock Password. Locate the "Enable lock password" toggle and slide it to the "Off" position. To confirm the action, you will have to enter the current picture password.

Is it possible to bypass the digital password

The digital password can be bypassed in the same way as the graphic one. Almost all of the above methods will help to remove it. But there are some differences. For example, the gesture.key file is responsible only for the visual key, so you cannot remove the numeric key in this way. But it works great connecting to a Google Account, resetting settings and contacting support.

It's okay if you can't remember your password, no. It happens to everyone. Android developers took care of users and allowed them to reset passwords using a Google account, to which they still have to link their device. Although there is one significant problem: thanks to the abundance of methods, it will not be difficult for a thief to unlock a stolen phone or tablet. So it is better not to rely especially on this protection and do not keep secret data in your smartphone.