Develop Bugs

[Q] Phone locked due to Fingerprint Swipe. Help!

OK so my mother decides to buy the same phone I have, the Galaxy Note 4. She thought she'd put on the fingerprint lock, which worked fine, then for some reason, stopped working. She claims she did not set up a backup password, so therefore I cannot see a way to get into the phone. I did find a zip to flash that would supposedly remove the fingerprint lock, but upon booting into recovery and into the option to apply an update from an SD card (I forgot the exact text), it gave me a message that dm-verity verification failed and I could not apply an update from the drive. What can I do to fix this? I don't want to have to FDR, but if that's the only options, I might bite the bullet and do that.

JOSHSKORN said:
OK so my mother decides to buy the same phone I have, the Galaxy Note 4. She thought she'd put on the fingerprint lock, which worked fine, then for some reason, stopped working. She claims she did not set up a backup password, so therefore I cannot see a way to get into the phone. I did find a zip to flash that would supposedly remove the fingerprint lock, but upon booting into recovery and into the option to apply an update from an SD card (I forgot the exact text), it gave me a message that dm-verity verification failed and I could not apply an update from the drive. What can I do to fix this? I don't want to have to FDR, but if that's the only options, I might bite the bullet and do that.
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I'm not sure about this but I don't think an FDR will fix your problem either. I remember someone else having a similar issue with the fingerprint reader and after trial and error we figured out that an FDR doesn't touch the files used to manage the reader.

I don't think Fingerprint lock will allow you to use it unless you enter a backup password. In any case, if a factory reset doesn't work, you might try taking it to you mom's carrier and see if they can unlock it for you. They'll be able to identify that the phone belongs to her account and maybe have the tools to reset it. Try giving the carrier a call. Other than that, I have no idea.

nahoku said:
I don't think Fingerprint lock will allow you to use it unless you enter a backup password. In any case, if a factory reset doesn't work, you might try taking it to you mom's carrier and see if they can unlock it for you. They'll be able to identify that the phone belongs to her account and maybe have the tools to reset it. Try giving the carrier a call. Other than that, I have no idea.
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Yes, I advised her to take it to the Verizon store where she got it for assistance. She just assumed that I could help her with everything (literally) since she has the same phone...but not that, unfortunately.

You cant use the fingerprint lock without a backup password. it wont let you use it without one, in case the fingerprint doesnt work. If on the lockscreen you see "Enter backup password" that means she entered it. The backup password is 6 character long with a number, it didnt require any caps letter.

fatmaninc said:
You cant use the fingerprint lock without a backup password. it wont let you use it without one, in case the fingerprint doesnt work. If on the lockscreen you see "Enter backup password" that means she entered it. The backup password is 6 character long with a number, it didnt require any caps letter.
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That's what I thought. Well, she got it fixed at the Verizon store.
Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Urgent issue, locked out of my phone

Hey, so a little back story.
I was flashing/testing paranoid android and CM 13, I noticed that the bootloader warning turned red after flashing PA (your device is corrupt bla bla), well I decided to get back to my "stock" twrp backup.
It was successful, however when I try to unlock the phone with my pattern it says it's wrong? Fingerprint is of no use since I have to enter the pattern at least once before using the sensor.
I am 101% sure that the pattern is correct since I've only used this one pattern ever, any ideas what I can do?
Edit: I guess I kind of rushed posting.. I deleted locksettings.db from data/system and it removed the pattern, I'm also able to set a new pattern.
Try this if you have the same issue (I did not come up with this btw)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/help/wrong-pin-try-to-restore-nandroid-backup-t3245267/
literally 15 topics below yours. this should help solve your issue

Broken303 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/help/wrong-pin-try-to-restore-nandroid-backup-t3245267/
literally 15 topics below yours. this should help solve your issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I feel stupid, sorry for spamming.
:/

PIN/Pattern required to enable fingerprint

Why is it when I set a fingerprint, I set a pattern for the mandatory backup security but when I try to unlock with fingerprint it asks for a pattern saying "Pattern required to enable fingerprint"?

As far as I know, as an extra security, a pattern/pin code is necessary when the phone is restarted/ switched on, once you chose to use the fingerprint scanner.

Howling Wolf said:
As far as I know, as an extra security, a pattern/pin code is necessary when the phone is restarted/ switched on, once you chose to use the fingerprint scanner.
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It's every time I lock it
Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

Finally figured it out.
It happens when screen is locked by a 3rd party app, in my case I use nova double tap to lock screen.
Was wondering why (and forgot to mention) it seemed random.
Edit: for Nova users looking for a workaround, if you enable screen off by root access method it will use a secure lock and enable the fingerprint to unlock.

Heisenberg420 said:
Finally figured it out.
It happens when screen is locked by a 3rd party app, in my case I use nova double tap to lock screen.
Was wondering why (and forgot to mention) it seemed random.
Edit: for Nova users looking for a workaround, if you enable screen off by root access method it will use a secure lock and enable the fingerprint to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah a lot of screenapp does ask.... if you are on elementalx you could use button mapper which gives you the same functionality of double to sleep and more doesn't ask for patter/pin everytime you unlock

This started to happen to me after a bug crashed the phone and had to force restart it holding volume down + power. I only have the default launcher so I guess it's factory reset time for me

Heisenberg420 said:
Why is it when I set a fingerprint, I set a pattern for the mandatory backup security but when I try to unlock with fingerprint it asks for a pattern saying "Pattern required to enable fingerprint"?
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For what it's worth, I had the same issue (until I found this thread) and it was caused by Action Laucher 3. The launcher was set as a Device Administrator and was granted permission to "Power screen off". Once I removed that permission my troubles were over.

Seems to me that it makes sense once you have a fingerprint setup, to require a pin as well. Why? Because what if the fingerprint reader stops working? You won't be able to login?!?!
Not sure until the poster above mentions a pattern is required. Normally it is a pin if you want. Then the PIN required upon restart option as well that is there.
Of course, if you are rooted, you can delete the system files that control/store that...but if not rooted with TWRP, you would have to try a master reset I would assume?!?!
IDK...guess I never thought of testing that out...haha

Guys, i hope it's ok if i conquer this thread for my question but i got serious issues here.
Got my 10 back from repair today and restored my backup.
But dumb me it seems as if i set a password/patern whatever and i can't remember it.
So after the first restart i can't unlock my phone cause it's asking for the code (and won't let unlock only with fingerprint) and i can't remember.
All combination that i would have used are wrong and now i got a working phone back again (after almost 2 month of repairing) and can't unlock it.
Is there any way of bypassing/ignoring the restart password or is it possible to only unlock it again with the fingerprint that is stored?
As i don't know what i should do if i don't get my phone unlocked

bmwbasti said:
Guys, i hope it's ok if i conquer this thread for my question but i got serious issues here.
Got my 10 back from repair today and restored my backup.
But dumb me it seems as if i set a password/patern whatever and i can't remember it.
So after the first restart i can't unlock my phone cause it's asking for the code (and won't let unlock only with fingerprint) and i can't remember.
All combination that i would have used are wrong and now i got a working phone back again (after almost 2 month of repairing) and can't unlock it.
Is there any way of bypassing/ignoring the restart password or is it possible to only unlock it again with the fingerprint that is stored?
As i don't know what i should do if i don't get my phone unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try a factory reset via Android Device Manager.

I don't know what Android Device Manager is but I could do the reset in TWRP too. It's about not losing all of my data or a possibility to get that device unlocked without the code. It would be no problem as my fingerprint is stored. Damn, I could just hit my head against a wall or alternatively just cry like a baby. I never forgot a password or code in my whole life and by now it happens

bmwbasti said:
I don't know what Android Device Manager is but I could do the reset in TWRP too. It's about not losing all of my data or a possibility to get that device unlocked without the code. It would be no problem as my fingerprint is stored. Damn, I could just hit my head against a wall or alternatively just cry like a baby. I never forgot a password or code in my whole life and by now it happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Log in here https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
Using the account your phone is used with.

Thx, but there I only have the options of letting the phone ring, lock it down or wiping it. As stated above I could do that easily in recovery, too.
I'm looking for a way of not having to wipe the phone (if there is one....)

bmwbasti said:
Thx, but there I only have the options of letting the phone ring, lock it down or wiping it. As stated above I could do that easily in recovery, too.
I'm looking for a way of not having to wipe the phone (if there is one....)
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Click to collapse
To be honest, I don't think so. There were loopholes before, but they have been closed. :/

So doing a factory reset and restoring /data is the only way of getting back control of my phone again (without losing too much data)?
I think i will get rid of locking my phone with fingerprint again as there seems not ot be a failsafe mechanic for forgetting a (backup) mechanic

OK, so it seems that I have to throw that piece of aluminum against the wall. The code seems to interact with /data, because after restoring only /data I have to put in the forgotten password again.

bmwbasti said:
OK, so it seems that I have to throw that piece of aluminum against the wall. The code seems to interact with /data, because after restoring only /data I have to put in the forgotten password again.
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I really suggest starting from zero, when you get everything set, then set a password.

Thanks for your advice, but it's not about starting from zero. I've already done this twice today
It's about at least being able to get (some of) the data of /data

Forgotten decription pattern

Hi, I set up an encription pattern to my old phone (RN4X) then I leaved it into a drawer for months and now can't remember and unlock it.
Anyone knows a method to get it back working?

Jack'O said:
Hi, I set up an encription pattern to my old phone (RN4X) then I leaved it into a drawer for months and now can't remember and unlock it.
Anyone knows a method to get it back working?
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i just restored my nandroid back up and pin failed. i used orangefox recovery it has an option to remove password. then i added back again pin and fingerprint.

raptorddd said:
i just restored my nandroid back up and pin failed. i used orangefox recovery it has an option to remove password. then i added back again pin and fingerprint.
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Thanks for reply but the pattern is asked to boot also into recovery also, it is the encripting one.

It seemed impossible to me to have forgotten the pattern, the fact is that it did not accept the one set because the data partition is corrupted.

Encryption

I have the unlocked Pixel 3a XL and would like to encrypt the phone. As far as I have been able to tell, that is not possible with the standard ROM and I would have to wait for another ROM? I do prefer LineageOS since previous phones. Of course, I would also then need to install TWRP which would also need to handle encrypted partitions.

The stock ROM supports encryption, which is typically enabled by default. You can check that it's enabled here:
Settings > Security & Location > Advanced > Encryption & Credentials

hendusoone said:
The stock ROM supports encryption, which is typically enabled by default. You can check that it's enabled here:
Settings > Security & Location > Advanced > Encryption & Credentials
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I did see that but since I do not enter a passphrase when I turn on the phone I am not sure what exactly, if anything, is encrypted?? The PIN on the lock-screen does not count, of course.

That's normal. Everything is still encrypted/inaccessible until you enter your PIN or password. It's a feature called direct boot that was added in 7.0. https://developer.android.com/training/articles/direct-boot

hendusoone said:
That's normal. Everything is still encrypted/inaccessible until you enter your PIN or password. It's a feature called direct boot that was added in 7.0. https://developer.android.com/training/articles/direct-boot
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I looked at that quickly but it does not seem equivalent to encrypting the entire partition which is what I am looking for.

In that case, you'll need to wait for a rom that supports full disk encryption.

hendusoone said:
In that case, you'll need to wait for a rom that supports full disk encryption.
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Thank you, that is what I surmised. Waiting for LOS and TWRP and for them to support partition encryption.

I am concerned now after reading this. I factory reset a phone that did not have a pin or any lock screen at all. I need to return it and cancel lease since I bought a new 3a with unlocked bootloader.
Is the data recoverable? If so, can I make a pin and do another factory reset and would that be sufficient for privacy? I have all my passwords on Roboform.

Holysmoke99 said:
I am concerned now after reading this. I factory reset a phone that did not have a pin or any lock screen at all. I need to return it and cancel lease since I bought a new 3a with unlocked bootloader.
Is the data recoverable? If so, can I make a pin and do another factory reset and would that be sufficient for privacy? I have all my passwords on Roboform.
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Click to collapse
If you removed your Google account before resetting you're safe. If you did not then log back in, delete your account from the device and factory reset again. I doubt anyone really cares if you are returning it to a carrier. If you are sending it back to a third party I'd be a little more careful.

The dirty trick is to remove your account, leave password on it, the reset from recovery. That will trigger a full wipe.

hga89 said:
I did see that but since I do not enter a passphrase when I turn on the phone I am not sure what exactly, if anything, is encrypted?? The PIN on the lock-screen does not count, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: I guess things have change with device encrypted vs credential encrypted.

hga89 said:
I did see that but since I do not enter a passphrase when I turn on the phone I am not sure what exactly, if anything, is encrypted?? The PIN on the lock-screen does not count, of course.
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There used to be a way to force a pin on startup before boot. Is that option gone? Haven't used it in years since it was such a pain.

gee one said:
Edit: I guess things have change with device encrypted vs credential encrypted.
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I am not sure anything changed, encrypting partitions have always been the best - and only real - way of protecting your device. The PINs etc. are eye candy.

hga89 said:
I am not sure anything changed, encrypting partitions have always been the best - and only real - way of protecting your device. The PINs etc. are eye candy.
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You put on a pin, use the fingerprint scanner for bank accounts, good passwords, what else can you do? A thief will go for the person that has none of these, there are many devices for them to choose from.
If you are that concerned then keep the information off the device. No one wants your stuff as much as you think they do. If I have to encrypt my phone I might as well leave it home or use a pen and paper.

bobby janow said:
You put on a pin, use the fingerprint scanner for bank accounts, good passwords, what else can you do? A thief will go for the person that has none of these, there are many devices for them to choose from.
If you are that concerned then keep the information off the device. No one wants your stuff as much as you think they do. If I have to encrypt my phone I might as well leave it home or use a pen and paper.
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Our needs and concerns are obviously different. I think it is clear that encryption is recommended by knowledgeable people.

hga89 said:
Our needs and concerns are obviously different. I think it is clear that encryption is recommended by knowledgeable people.
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Obviously. But I'm sure you can find a company and device that suits your needs.