Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Meizu 21 Phone Now with These Tips

Pattern locks have been available for about as long as people can remember, and they have been hugely popular with people thanks to how easy it is to simply swipe your screen and unlock your smartphone, as against, say, keying in the 4-digit PIN/ 6-digit PIN. However, pattern locks are easy to crack, and today, we bring you all you want to know about pattern locks and how to create a hard pattern lock. Further to this, we also tell you how to move beyond pattern locks and what to do in case you forgot the hard pattern lock you just set and are unable to unlock your smartphone.

Part 1: What You Need to Know About Pattern Locks

Pattern lock is an Android-only feature that makes it easy for users to have a modicum of security on their smartphones. Most users do not prefer using and remembering a PIN to unlock the smartphone. Creating a pattern makes it easier, somehow.

There is a 9-point grid on which you swipe your finger from point to point, in any direction, and when you take your finger off, that pattern you swiped becomes the key to unlock your smartphone.

Pattern locks were exceedingly common only a few years ago, and they are not recommended for use any longer due to concerns (mentioned later in the article).

1.1: Popularity and Usage

Old habits die hard, or so they say, right? That’s because it is true. We are creatures of habit, and pattern locks have been around for a long, long time. We are accustomed to pattern locks. So, even with even easier technologies such as fingerprint recognition and face recognition, we tend to gravitate towards the familiar old pattern lock.

The only thing is, there is a reason why pattern locks are no longer the preferred option to use for unlocking your smartphones. As it happens, that reason is security, and it can be very easy for humans to take a swipe (pardon the pun) at your pattern lock. And guess what? The research conducted suggests that they would get it right with an unsettling accuracy.

1.2: Advantages and Drawbacks

With on-the-go lifestyles, our smartphones have become indispensable and contain some of the most sensitive aspects of our lives – IDs, credit and debit cards in digital wallets, photo and video memories, business documents – you name it, the smartphones have it, on the go. This has opened our lives up to the public at large, and if someone steals our smartphone or, best case, finds it, the only barrier preventing them from being privy to all that wealth of our sensitive information is that screen lock – the pattern lock that we set on our smartphones. That’s it – the single pattern lock stands between malicious actors and our data. You might be beginning to realize just how crazy this is.

Advantages of Pattern Locks

There are two advantages to using pattern locks. One, they are better than nothing. Two, they are easy to use. And that’s about it. There is no third advantage to pattern locks. We might think we set a hard pattern lock that nobody could guess, but, as research proves, we might be thinking too low of human prowess.

Disadvantages of Pattern Locks

Security, or rather, the lack of it, is the lone disadvantage of using a pattern lock. What good is a pattern lock that can be easily deciphered? Sure, they are easy to use, and they are better than not having anything, but would you really want to protect your life’s data with something that could be, as researchers found out, breached in under 5 attempts? We don’t think you do!

The research found that 64% of test subjects who were shown videos of people unlocking their phones could correctly guess a 6-point pattern lock, that too after viewing the video only once! That number shot up to 80% if they were allowed to see the video again. That is simply astounding and a nightmare for security. When it comes to PINs, only 11% could guess a 6-digit PIN after viewing the unlocking video once, and that number shot up to 27% when they could see the video two times.

Part 2: How To Create a Hard Pattern Lock (Including Remembering Complex Patterns)

Now, if you must continue using a pattern lock, let’s help you know how to create a hard pattern lock that would not be as easy to decipher as easy pattern locks. For that, you should know how people use pattern locks, the kind of pattern locks they create, and the ones that are the most commonly used pattern locks. That way, you can avoid those fallacies and create a hard pattern lock for your smartphone.

2.1: The Pattern Locks People Use Most Commonly

Marte Loge, an M.Sc. Computer Science student, gave a presentation on pattern locks at DEFCON 23 and made a bold claim. She said, “Tell me who you are, and I will tell you your lock pattern.”

She presented the following statistics to support her claim:

• - In her research, she found that 77% of people started with one of the 4 corners when creating a pattern lock.
• - 44% of people started with the top-left dot and 15% with the top-right, while the bottom-left was preferred by 14% of her test subjects.
• - People set 5-point pattern locks on average, and most users were content with a 4-point pattern.

These are some of the most common pattern locks people create:

• - patterns in the shapes of alphabets,
• - patterns in the shapes of numerals,
• - patterns in any other simple shape, such as square, triangle, star, etc.

To understand how this is a security nightmare, the possible combinations for a 4-point pattern are a measly 1624, whereas by adding just 1 more point to the pattern and creating a 5-point pattern, the number of possible combinations becomes 7152, an increase of 5528 combinations. In stark contrast, creating a 9-point pattern would give you over 140,000 possible combinations!

2.2: How to Create a Hard Pattern Lock

Knowing what most people do when creating a pattern lock, it becomes easy to avoid those mistakes and instead create a hard pattern lock for oneself.

• - Do not start creating a pattern lock from any of the 4 corners of the grid.
• - Never use your first initial as your pattern lock.
• - Never use the shape of a numeral as your pattern lock.
• - Use all 9 points on the grid to create your pattern lock, and contrary to popular belief, you can go over the connecting lines several times, creating a hard pattern lock that would not be as easy for people to decipher!

Part 3: Going Beyond Pattern Locks

You might think that now that you have set a hard pattern lock, you are good to go. Hardly. Technology has evolved, so have methods to break into your device.

Step 1: Set a 6-digit PIN

The minimum you should do today is set a 6-digit PIN to unlock your phone. Consider this a necessary investment into the safety of your data residing on your smartphone.

Step 2: Use Fingerprint Recognition (or Face Recognition on Apple Devices)

All modern smartphones released over the last decade have come with fingerprint recognition. Using fingerprint recognition requires you to set a 6-digit PIN and then set a fingerprint to unlock your device. You can set additional fingerprints, too.

This way, your device is the most secure it can be today. In case your fingerprint is not recognized for any reason, the phone falls back on the 6-digit PIN that you can enter and unlock your phone.

While face recognition is available on both Android and Apple devices, it is truly secure only on Apple devices. This is why Apple iPhones released after the iPhone X in 2017 have come only with Face ID. They fall back on a minimum 6-digit PIN (called Passcode in Apple world) to unlock in case the face does not get recognized in the first attempt.

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Part 4: How To Unlock Phone If Hard Pattern Lock Forgotten

Just in case you set a hard pattern lock and promptly forgot that abstruse pattern you just set, we have a tool for you to quickly unlock your phone in case of a forgotten hard pattern lock: Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove the Hard Pattern Lock on Your Meizu 21 If You Forgot!

• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Bypass the FRP lock of Samsung without a PIN or Google account.
• Everyone can handle the lock screen without any tech knowledge.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,671 people have downloaded it

Download the latest version of Dr.Fone from the Wondershare website and launch the app.

Step 1: Click Android under Toolbox > Screen Unlock.

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

Step 3: Select your device manufacturer.

Step 4: Prepare your device to unlock the screen.

When the greyed Next button becomes available, click it and wait for your device to be unlocked.

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All data on the Meizu 21 device is wiped under this method. Select Samsung phones may be unlocked without data loss. Check this list for devices that may be unlocked without data loss.

Closing Words

Whether it is an easy pattern lock or a hard pattern lock, the fact is that pattern locks are antiquated and a security nightmare. A minimum 6-digit PIN must be used, and using fingerprint recognition is the preferred way to go for Android devices. Using fingerprint recognition will require that users create a 6-digit PIN. On Apple devices launched after 2017, there is Face ID, Apple’s marketing term for face recognition. If you did indeed still set a hard pattern lock, only to promptly forget it, use Wondershare Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (Android) to seamlessly unlock your phone right now.

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How To Remove Screen Lock PIN On Meizu 21 Like A Pro: 5 Easy Ways

When protecting personal information on your phone, setting up a lock screen is essential. If you’ve ever forgotten your screen lock PIN on Android, you know how frustrating it can be to get back into your device. If you’ve ever tried to remove the screen lock PIN on an Android device, you know it’s not that easy.

It depends on your phone and the type of lock code you have set up. Note that this will erase all your data from the phone, so be sure to back it up first. This post will teach you how to remove the screen lock PIN on Android devices using several methods. So if you cannot use your device, keep reading for the steps!

Part 1: How To Remove Screen Lock PIN On Meizu 21? 5 Simple Ways

If you’ve forgotten your screen lock pin, there’s no need to worry. Here are quick and easy ways to remove the screen lock PIN on your Android device.

1. Change or Remove in Settings

When you go to Settings > Lock Screen > Screen lock type, several lock screen options are available. These options are given below:

Swipe:

You can unlock your phone by swiping in any direction on its screen.

Pattern:

You will draw a pattern on a 3-by-3 grid of dots to unlock your phone this way. To do this, you’ll need to use your finger to connect the dots in the pattern.

Phone Pin:

When you choose a PIN, make sure it’s something easy to remember. But choose wisely- a PIN that’s too easy to guess can put your account at risk.

Password:

It is the highest level of security available for your phone. Passwords should contain seven characters, of which at least one must be a letter. They should also be both unique and memorable.

Face recognition:

By holding your face directly in front of the phone screen, you can unlock your phone and verify yourself in apps.

Fingerprints:

Touch your phone to open it quickly and easily.

Iris:

Verify that only the contents of your phone are visible to your eyes.

Intelligent Scan:

Unlock your device with both facial and iris recognition.

If you’ve forgotten your lock PIN on your Android device, don’t worry - there are a few ways to reset it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Select Lock Screen > Screen lock type from the Settings menu.

Step 2: When prompted, enter your current lock screen code.

Step 3: Select None from the list.

2. Disable Android Device Manager

It is not possible to remove the PIN from some Android devices. The Android device administrator can be disabled in this situation. Here’s how to universal unlock a PIN for Android:

Step 1: From the “Settings” option, select the “Security” option and click on it to begin.

Step 2: Select “Device Administrators” from the menu, and you will see a list of apps that may restrict your ability to change the settings.

Step 3: Choose the Android device manager from the list.

Step 4: Click on “Disable.”

3. Remove PIN from Google Find My Device

Even if you don’t remember your Android lock PIN, you can use Find My Device to eliminate your Android lock PIN. Sign in to Google Play, turn on Find My Device and Location, and connect your locked phone to the internet.

Here’s the guide to universal unlock PIN for Android:

Step 1: Log into your Google account on your computer and visit Google Find My Device.

Step 2: Tap the “ERASE DEVICE” icon on your device and enter your account information again.

Step 3: To remove Android phone settings and data, click the “Erase” icon. Once that is done, you will erase the phone PIN.

4. Factory Reset Your Meizu 21 (Data Loss)

A factory reset in Recovery mode can also be used to remove the forgotten phone PIN lock on an Android device. It is important to note that you will lose everything on your device if you universal unlock your PIN for android.

Steps to get rid of forgotten phone PIN via factory reset:

Step 1: Turn off your Android phone by pressing and holding the Power button.

Step 2: To enter Recovery mode, press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons simultaneously. Hold the buttons until the Start menu appears.

Step 3: After selecting Recovery mode with the Volume Down button, press the Power button to confirm.

Step 4: Select Wipe data/factory reset using the Volume buttons. Press Yes to confirm the operation.

Step 5: Once your device has been factory reset, you need to restart it by selecting the Reboot system now option.

Part 2: Is There Any Universal Unlock PIN For Android?

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove the Screen Lock Pin Without Any Hassle!

• Completely unlinked from the previous Google account, it won’t be traced or blocked by it anymore.
• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Almost all Samsung phones and tablets are supported (Currently for Android 6-12).
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

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While there is no “universal unlock pin” for Android devices, Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock can bypass the lock screen on many popular phone models, including Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, Huawei, and more. Its simple interface makes it easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Step 1: Select “Screen Unlock” from all the tools in Dr.Fone.

Step 2. Select Unlock Android Screen

We provide 2 options for you, and to unlock screen, you should select “Unlock Android Screen”.

Step 3. Select device model

There are still 2 buttons to choose, “100% Remove Screen Lock” is for most Android brands, but please back your device up before you pick it.

Check the brands’ list and make sure your unlock process keeps.

Step 4. Enter into Recovery Mode

With examples of Samsung phones, it’ll be clearer to understand how to unlock your Android phone via Recovery Mode.

Note: The specific processes are various according to different brands.

Recovery Mode in Samsung phone with Bixby

Recovery Mode in Samsung phone without Bixby

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Recovery Mode in Samsung phone with Home Button

Step 5. Instructions to Wipe Cache Partition

Steps in Recovery Mode are really important. Find the correct options and your locked screen will be removed.

Now it’s a phone everyone can access without a password or pattern.

Part 3: In What Cases Should We Remove PIN On Our Android Phone?

There are a few reasons why you might want to remove the phone PIN from your Android:

1. Failed Attempts

If you’ve tried to unlock your phone with a pin too many times and failed, your phone will become locked. In this case, you’ll need to remove the PIN to unlock it.

2. Buy a Used Android phone

When you buy a second-hand Android phone, it’s best to remove the previous owner’s pin for security reasons. You can enter the phone’s settings and remove the PIN under the security section.

The Bottom Line

It can be frustrating when you forget your screen lock pin. You’re stuck staring at your phone, unable to use it or access any of your important data. But don’t worry; there are a few ways you can try to remove the screen lock pin on your Android device.

Luckily, Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is a powerful and easy-to-use lock screen removal tool that can help you bypass your lock screen in just a few minutes. Plus, it’s compatible with a wide range of Android devices, so you can use it regardless of what type of phone you have.

7 Ways to Unlock a Locked Meizu 21 Phone

“How to get into a locked phone? I have been locked out of my Android device and lost my passcode!”

If you are also facing the same issue, then you have come to the right place. There are plenty of ways to learn how to get into a locked Android phone when it comes to Android devices. From using a third-party tool to Google’s native solution – the sky is the limit. This post will make you familiar with different ways to unlock a device without knowing its passcode. Read on and learn how to get into a locked Android device.

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Part 1: How to get into a locked phone with Dr.Fone?

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) provides a hassle-free solution to unlock an Android device in minutes. It can remove a device’s PIN, password, pattern, and even fingerprint security without causing any harm to it. Therefore, you would be able to unlock your device without losing your data while using some Samsung or LG Android phones. If you want to break the locked screen with Dr.Fone from other brand phones, including iPhone, Huawei, and Oneplus, it will wipe out your phone’s data after unlocking successfully.

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Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Get into Locked Phones within Minutes

• 5 screen lock types are available: pattern, PIN, password, fingerprints & Face ID.
• Easily remove the lock screen; No need to root your device.
• Everybody can handle it without any technical background.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,669 people have downloaded it

To learn how to get into a locked phone using Dr.Fone, follow these steps:

• Step 1. Go to the official website of Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) and download the tool on your computer. After installing it, launch the interface and click on the option of “Screen Unlock” from the home screen.

• Step 2. Connect your Android device to the computer. Click “Android” > “Unlock Android Screen” and select the Meizu 21 device brand on the list. If your device is listed in the supported list , you can unlock locked phone without data loss.

• Step 3. Now, you need to put your Android device in Download mode. To do this, you need to turn your device off by pressing the Power button. Afterward, press the Home, Power, and Volume Down buttons together. After a while, let go of these buttons and press the Volume Up button to enter the Download Mode.

• Step 4. As soon as your device is not in the Download Mode, Dr.Fone will automatically start downloading its respective recovery packages.
• Step 5. Sit back and wait as the application downloads the package and performs the required steps to unlock your device. In the end, it will notify you by displaying the following message.

That’s it! By following these steps, you would be able to learn how to get into a locked Android phone without losing any data.

Tips: Cannot find your device model in the supported list or your phone is not Samsung? Worry not, as Wondershare Dr.Fone can also help you to unlock other device models (inlcluding Huawei, LG, Xiaomi, etc) in a matter of seconds. Just install this tool on your computer and connect your phone to start the unlock process!

Part 2: How to get into a locked phone with Android Device Manager?

Google’s Android Device Manager (also known as Find My Device) can be used to locate a lost phone, erase it remotely, ring it, and change its lock. You can access it from any other device and use its features remotely.

• Step 1. Firstly, go to the Android Device Manager’s website right here . Log in with the Google account that is already linked to your Android device.
• Step 2. Once the interface is loaded, you can select your phone. It will locate the Meizu 21 device automatically and provide various options.

• Step 3. Choose the “Lock” option to proceed.
• Step 4. This will display a new prompt. From here, you can get the new password for your device and confirm it.

• Step 5. Additionally, if your device is lost, you can display an optional message and contact number on the lock screen. Click on the “Lock” button to save changes and exit the screen.

Part 3: How to get into a locked phone with Samsung Find My Mobile?

If you are using a Samsung device, you can also use its Find My Mobile service to unlock your device remotely. It is an excellent tool that can be accessed remotely and perform a wide range of operations that can be performed on the Meizu 21 device. Follow these easy instructions to learn how to get into a locked Android Samsung device.

• Step 1. Open Samsung’s Find My Mobile website right here on any device of your choice.
• Step 2. Login using the credentials of the Samsung account linked to your existing device that is needed to be unlocked.
• Step 3. On its dashboard, you can access various features associated with your device. If you have multiple devices linked to your account, you can select it from the top-left panel.

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• Step 4. From the provided options on the left panel, click on the “Unlock My Screen” option.
• Step 5. Click on the “Unlock” button again to move past the lock screen of your device.

• Step 6. After waiting for a while, you will get the following prompt. From here, you can set up a new lock for your mobile or can click on the “Lock My Screen” option to do the same.

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Part 4: How to get into a locked phone using the ‘Forgot Pattern’ feature?

If your device is based on Android 4.4 and earlier versions, you may also use its native “Forgot Pattern” feature to unlock it. Though, you should have access to the Google account credentials linked to the Meizu 21 device beforehand. To learn how to get into a locked phone with this technique, follow these steps:

• Step 1. To get the Forgot Pattern option, enter the wrong PIN/pattern on your device.
• Step 2. This will display the “Forgot Pattern” button on the bottom of the screen. Just tap on it to continue.

• Step 3. On the next screen, you can unlock your device by providing the backup PIN of your device or sign in using the Google credentials of the account linked to the Meizu 21 device.

• Step 4. After bypassing this feature, you can unlock your device and set up a new PIN or pattern.

Part 5: How to get into a locked phone by factory reset?

If nothing else seems to work, then you can also choose to factory reset your device. Even though this will unlock your device, it would also erase its content and saved settings. To know how to get into a locked Android phone, follow these steps:

• Step 1. Turn off your device by pressing the Power button.
• Step 2. Now, you need to put your device into recovery mode. This can be done by applying the correct key combinations, which can differ from one device to another. Some common combinations are: Volume Up + Home + Power, Home + Power, Volume Up + Power + Volume Down, and Volume Down + Power button.
• Step 3. Once your phone has entered the recovery mode; you can navigate with the Volume up and down button and use the Power button to make a selection.

• Step 4. Select the option of “wipe data/factory reset.

• Step 5. This will display the following prompt. Confirm your choice by selecting the “Yes” option.

• Step 6. Wait for a while as your phone will be restarted with factory settings.

Part 6: How to get into a locked phone in Safe Mode?

If you are using a third-party application to lock your device, you can easily disable it by restarting your phone in safe mode. In this way, you can get rid of the respective app without causing any damage to the Meizu 21 device. You can learn how to get into a locked Android phone by following these steps:

• Step 1. Long-press the Power button to activate the Power option on the screen.
• Step 2. If you don’t get the option to restart the phone in Safe Mode, then long tap the “Power off” option.
• Step 3. It will provide the following prompt regarding Safe Mode. Just tap on the “Ok” button to confirm your choice.

Part 7: How to get into a locked phone using Custom Recovery?

Since custom recovery provides a third-party recovery environment, it can learn how to get into a locked Android device. Additionally, you need to flash it via an SD card since you won’t access the phone storage on a locked device.

• Step 1. To start with, you need to download the password/pattern disable file from right here and copy it onto your SD card.
• Step 2. Mount the SD card on your device and restart it in recovery mode by providing the correct key combinations.
• Step 3. From the provided options, choose to install zip from the SD card.
• Step 4. Confirm your selection and let your phone be restarted with no lock screen.

Bonus Tip: General tips for unlocking phone successfully

By following these tips, you can increase the chances of successfully unlocking your phone while safeguarding your data and security.

1. Data Backup: Regularly back up your data that ensures you have a recent backup of all your important data, such as contacts, photos, videos, and documents. This will prevent data loss in case the unlocking process results in a factory reset.
2. Reputable Methods: Use reputable and official unlocking methods whenever possible, such as Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you would learn how to get into a locked phone. If you are looking for a trouble-free way to unlock an Android device, then give Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock a try. It is a highly reliable solution to learn how to get into a locked Android phone and unlock your device in minutes with no complications.