Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Vivo S17t 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.

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 Vivo S17t 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.

All data on the Vivo S17t 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.

Remove the Lock Screen Fingerprint Of Your Vivo S17t

Users of Android phones can benefit from data and file protection tools like passwords, patterns, and PINs. But there are also some significant disadvantages, for example:

• Someone may have repeatedly entered the wrong password to access your phone.
• You may have forgotten the PIN on your device, pattern, or PIN.
• The lock screen fingerprint can also malfunction if there are repeated tries from an unauthorized finger.

If you use a wrong password or a fingerprint unlock, it can permanently lock your Android device.

We can use many practical methods to remove the Android phone lock screen fingerprint. For example:

According to you, the most typical or initial option must be factory reset. However, when you try the factory reset method, you will lose all data on your phone. So, can you unlock an Android phone without a factory reset? Yes, we will tell you how to unlock your phone without fingerprint and resetting your Android phone.

Follow these methods to bypass the fingerprint lock without resetting the phone. It will save you from losing your data. All our methods are very easy and safe.

Useful Methods to Bypass Fingerprint Lock

1. Restart your Phone

If your fingerprint is not working or the Vivo S17t device prompts you with an error in the fingerprint functioning, possibly the fingerprint reader is not responding, and the Vivo S17t device needs to restart to get rid of this error.

When a device restarts, the fingerprint functionality is restored after entering the Vivo S17t device pattern, password, or PIN. This is the simplest method to reset your fingerprint hardware.

2. Remove your phone battery

Old android phones have removable batteries. If you can remove your phone battery, remove it and then put it back. Now turn on your phone. Doing so can help solve the fingerprint lock issue if there are bugs or system errors.

3. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

On Android handsets, you can attempt Dr.Fone to remove the fingerprint without professional skills. It allows you to delete the password, PIN, pattern, and fingerprint from an Android phone.

Step 1: Connect your Android device.

Open Dr.Fone on your PC, then among all the tools, choose “Screen Unlock.”

Step 2: Select a device type.

We are in this part to provide you with two ways to unlock practically any Android handset, including those made by Samsung, Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, Lenovo, LG, and others. It’s crucial to choose the right device brand to unlock the lock because the recovery modes for various phone models vary. The list contains every supported device model.

Here you will have some brands to choose from, don’t make it wrong.

Step 3: Put your device into Recovery Mode.

You will learn how to put your device into Recovery Mode; it’s important to do as instructions, although this part may look a little strange. And there are 3 different Samsung Recovery Modes as examples.

(Get into Recovery Mode in Samsung phone with Bixby)

(Get into Recovery Mode in Samsung phone without Bixby)

(Get into Recovery Mode in Samsung phone with the Home button)

Step 4: Instructions to Wipe Cache Partition

In this part, it is the final but crucial step to unlock your device; if you click any wrong button, your phone may not work anymore.

OK, you already passed the unlock process; locks like pattern, password, or fingerprint disappear!

4. Hard Reset your Device

Users of Android smartphones and tablets can troubleshoot various issues with their devices using a feature known as Android Recovery Mode. For example, it might be helpful if you discover that your device is functioning strangely. Recovery Mode Android technically refers to a unique bootable partition with a recovery application installed inside it.

However, users can also use it to reset the android password if it is forgotten. This password also includes fingerprint locks. The instructions for resetting android devices through recovery mode differ for every android device.

5. Google Find My Device

As you are likely aware, every Android device is connected to a Google account. As a result, if you’d like, you may also use it to unlock Android. You’ll need to know your Google account login information for this. When you’re ready, use these instructions to find out how to unlock a phone password.

1. Login using your Google credentials by going to the official Google Find My Device website.
2. You will see the gadgets connected to your Google account as you enter the interface and a map of where they are.
3. To wipe the Vivo S17t device, click the ERASE DEVICE option on the left side panel. You will then be required for your password.
4. Once more, select “Erase.” This will reset the Vivo S17t device and get rid of the dysfunctional fingerprint lock.

6. Seek Help from Local Dealers

It might be a complicated case if you cannot reset your lock screen fingerprint through the methods described above. In this situation, you need to visit your nearest mobile technician, who can help you restore your device.

Why does not Fingerprint Work

1. Fingerprint Hardware Module Problems

The fingerprint module should be clean, just like a clean finger is. Unfortunately, the module would collect liquid from your fingers, especially if you had used a moisturizer earlier, making it difficult for the sensor to read your fingers accurately.

Please inspect the fingerprint module for any fluids or debris and clean it with a dry cloth to resolve this. If the dirt is on the module, clean it with wipes or a moist cloth wet with water.

2. Software Update

Another software-related issue that may occur because “ fingerprint sensor not working” issue is a software defect. Try checking if you have a pending update on your device and install it. Moreover, if the problem started after a system update, you may wait for a new update to fix the problem or go back to the previous update.

To install an update, open the Settings app, tap on ‘System,’ pick ‘System Update,’ and download and install any pending update.

3. Clean your Screen

If you have a device with under-display fingerprint scanner, you might need to clean the screen properly before using the fingerprint. In some cases, screen protectors also interfere with fingerprint functioning.

Conclusion

Any method can solve the problems of using your device with your Android handset. The best thing about these solutions is that you don’t need difficult professional skills to complete the tasks. Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock is the easiest way to help your device if you have a password or fingerprint problem.

How to Unlock Vivo S17t PIN Code/Pattern Lock/Password

I have forgotten the pattern, PIN, or password needed to unlock my Vivo S17t smartphone. What should I do?

If you have a Vivo S17t phone and have forgotten the screen unlock PIN code, pattern lock, or password, you can still access it using some tried and tested tricks and hacks. This article will discuss 5 different ways on how to unlock Vivo S17t smartphone. Some methods might work without erasing your data, while others, like factory resetting, may erase all content from your phone. Regardless of which method you use, you will be able to unlock your phone! So, let’s get started!

1. How to Unlock Vivo S17t With Google Find My Vivo S17t?

A way to unlock the Vivo S17t phone is via Google Find My Device feature. While this method can help unlock your phone, it erases all content from it.

For this method, you need a PC and your Google account details. Here are the steps for it:

Step 1: Open your browser and go to Google Find My Device  on your PC.

Step 2: Log in to the Google account you used to set up your Vivo S17t phone.

Step 3: It will show you 3 options: Play Sound, Secure Device, and Erase Device.

 And then select “**Erase Device.**”

Selecting this option will erase all content from your device, including screen unlock PIN, password, and pattern.

Step 4: Now, you can access your phone without an unlock PIN or pattern and set a new one.

Use this method only if your phone is backed up so you can restore all your data later.

2. How to Unlock Android device Using Lock Remove Tool?

Another foolproof method on how to unlock Android pattern lock is by using a lock removal tool like Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) .

safe & secure

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is a screen unlock tool that can unlock your Android phone if you forget its screen unlock PIN, password, or pattern in just 5 minutes. It has a simple operation that requires just a few clicks to unlock your phone screen. Plus, this method is reliable, secure, and has a high success rate. However, there’s a possibility that it might not work with older phone models.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Unlock Android PIN Code/Pattern Lock/Password within Minutes

• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Unlock 20,000+ models of Android phones & tablets.
• Everybody can handle it without any technical background.
• Save you from ending up with a locked phone after too many pattern attempts.

4,008,669 people have downloaded it

Here are the steps to unlock Android phone using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android):

Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone on your PC and select the “Screen Unlock” option from the main page.

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable. Now click on the “Android” > “Unlock Android Screen” option.

Step 3: A device brand will appear. Select your phone’s brand, i.e., Samsung.

Step 4: Now, follow the instructions as you see to unlock your Android device.

Your phone is now unlocked, and you can access it without entering a PIN, password, or pattern.

Now, if you don’t remember your Google account details and don’t have access to a PC to use a screen unlock tool, you can unlock Android phone using the conventional way.

How to Unlock Vivo S17t with Google Account?

Almost all Android smartphones, including Vivo S17t , require you to enter your Google account details when setting up your phone for the first time. This includes the email, password, and security question. These details come in handy later on in situations where your phone is lost or stolen or if you’re switching to another phone. However, they can also help with basic issues like unlocking your phone in case you forget your Vivo S17t screen unlock PIN, pattern, or password.

You can unlock your Vivo S17t phone with Google Account in the following two ways:

• Using Google account details
• Using Google security question

Using Google Account Details

Almost all Android smartphones, including Vivo S17t , require you to enter your Google account details when setting up your phone for the first time. This account comes in handy later on in situations where your phone is lost or stolen or if you’re switching to another phone. However, it can also help with basic issues like unlocking your phone in case you forget your Vivo S17t screen unlock PIN, pattern, or password. But to use this method successfully, you need to remember the email address bound to the Vivo S17t device and its password.

Here’s how to unlock the Vivo S17t pattern lock without losing data using your Google account:

• Step 1: Enter the incorrect PIN, pattern, or password 5 times, and click on “Forgot Password” or “Forgot Pattern.”
• Step 2: The interface will then ask you to enter your Google account details as an alternate option. Enter the Google account details you used when setting up your Vivo S17t phone.
• Step 3: This will unlock your phone. You can now reset the screen unlock PIN, password, or pattern.

If you don’t remember your Google account details, you can still unlock your Vivo S17t phone using a third-party tool.

Using Security Question

Another way to unlock your Vivo S17t phone using Google is by answering the security question. When we set up our Google account, we usually choose a security question and an answer. This comes in handy if you want to recover your Google account, reset the password, or if you want to unlock your phone’s screen.

For the latter, here are the steps:

• Step 1: Enter the incorrect PIN or pattern to unlock your screen several times till you see the “Forgot Pattern” or “Forgot Password” option. Click on it.
• Step 2: Now select the “Answer Security Question” option and type in the answer.
• Step 3: Click on “Unlock” after which you will be asked if you want to set a new PIN or pattern. Select “Yes.”
• Step 4: Your Vivo S17t phone will be unlocked, and you can set a new PIN or pattern for your screen.

How to Unlock Vivo S17t by Hard Reset?

Hard resetting your smartphone usually solves everything! Hence, it can also help you unlock your Vivo S17t phone; however, using this method will erase all the data on your phone. So, if you still want to unlock Vivo S17t phone using this method, only do so if you have backed up your device and have no other way to unlock your phone. This includes forgetting your Google account details or not having access to a PC to download and use Dr Fone - Screen Unlock (Android).

Here are the steps for it:

• Step 1: Power off your Vivo S17t phone.
• Step 2: Press and hold the power and volume down button until the Sony screen appears.
• Step 3: The “System Recovery” menu will appear. Use the volume up and down button to scroll to the “Factory Reset” option. Use the power button to select this option.
• Step 4: Select “Yes” when asked for confirmation.

Your Vivo S17t phone will be hard reset, and all the locks will be removed. When you turn it on again, you will have to set it up like a new phone using your Google account details.

How to Unlock Vivo S17t with Vivo Companion?

If you’ve forgotten the screen lock of your Vivo S17t device, you can use Sony’s official software, Vivo Companion, to unlock your device. Vivo Companion is a reliable method that can help you regain access to your Vivo without data loss. Here’s how to unlock your Vivo S17t using Vivo Companion:

Step 1: Install and launch Vivo S17t Companion from the official website and click “Support Zone.” Move to the “Phone/Tablet Software Update” option on the next screen and tap “Start.”

Step 2: Now, plug in your laptop to power, as the process will take some time, and choose “repair my phone/tablet.” Here, agree to the warning that you will lose your data and click “Next” to proceed.

Step 3: Allow the program to download files to prepare for the update process and choose your Vivo S17t model. Click “Next” and connect your Vivo S17t to the PC. Ensure that the phone is turned off, and press and hold the “Volume Down” button when connecting the cable to the phone.

Step 4: Once correctly connected to the PC, the program will download the necessary software and upload it to your device. After completing the process, you can unplug the Vivo S17t device and turn it on.

How to Remove Operator Lock on Vivo S17t ?

An operator lock, also called a carrier lock, constitutes a limitation imposed on a mobile phone by a network provider. This measure is implemented to guarantee that the Vivo S17t device exclusively functions with the services provided by that specific carrier. If you wish to remove the operator lock from your Vivo S17t device, you’ll need to follow specific steps and meet certain criteria. Here’s how to remove the operator lock on a Vivo S17t :

Step 1: Begin by checking whether your device can be unlocked or not from its network carrier restrictions. To do that, you need to dial the code “*#*#7378423#*#*” on your device, tap “Service Info” and select “SIM Lock.”

Step 2: Carefully check the information provided on the screen. If there is “X” before the “Network” option and the number in front of it is larger than 0, it means your device can be unlocked. If the number in front of “Network” is 0, your device can’t be unlocked as it is hard-locked.

Step 3: The next step involves getting your device’s IMEI number. To accomplish this task, simply input “*#06#” on your device. Once you have the IMEI number, use a reliable service from the internet to the unlocking code. Insert the SIM card of another network and provide the code you gained to unlock your Vivo S17t device.

Bonus Tip: How to Unlock Bootloader?

Unlocking the bootloader on your Android device provides significant advantages. These actions encompass obtaining root access, installing custom ROMs, configuring custom recoveries, and carrying out advanced procedures. Here’s an essential guide on unlocking the bootloader of your Sony device while keeping all precautions in mind:

Step 1: To start with the process, verify the bootloader status for your Sony smartphone. On opening the “Dialer” app, dial the number “*#*#7378423#*#*“ and access the “Rooting Status” option within the “Service Provider” settings.

Step 2: If the bootloader status displays “Yes,” ensure that the Sony USB drivers and ADB tools are installed on your computer. Enable “USB Debugging” and “OEM Unlocking” on your smartphone and switch it off.

Step 3: Connect the Vivo S17t smartphone with a USB cable and press the “Power + Volume Up” keys for a few seconds. Open the Windows computer and access the “Devices and Printers” directory. Right-click on the “fastboot driver” file, select “Update,” and select the location of the “android_winbus.inf” file. Verify the fastboot connectivity through the CMD command.

Step 4: Open the official “Sony Unlocking Site” and add in the IMEI number. On acknowledging, use the commands as follows: adb reboot bootloader

Unlock the bootloader with the following command: fastboot oem unlock 0x<insert your unlock code

Verify the bootloader is unlocked and use the command to reboot the system; if not done automatically: fastboot reboot

Conclusion

Forgetting your Vivo S17t screen unlock password, PIN, or pattern is quite common. For such instances, there are several methods that you can use to unlock your screen, 5 of which we have discussed in this article.

If you’re looking for ways that are time-effective and reliable, you can use your Google account or other ways to unlock Vivo S17t and set a new screen lock. However, with these methods, you can lose your data, so we only recommend using them if your device is backed up.