Still Using Pattern Locks with Samsung Galaxy XCover 7? Tips, Tricks and Helpful Advice

They have been along for a long, long time now – pattern locks – the easiest of all smartphone locks. You just swipe your finger across to create an easy pattern lock of your choosing and that’s it, it becomes your new screen lock. No more remembering tedious digits! So, why have these easy pattern locks become outdated, and why do people still continue to use them? Let’s take a dive and find out all about pattern locks.

Part I: Things To Know About Pattern Locks

The first cellphone locks were 4-digit number locks. Then came 6-digit codes, and even alphanumeric ones. Pattern locks were all the rage a while ago. Though pattern locks continue to be used, they are not considered safe to use any longer. What is all that about? Here’s what you need to know about pattern locks, whether you are a seasoned pattern lock user or not.

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### I.I: What Are Pattern Locks?

Believe it or not, technology has advanced at such a rapid pace in the last two decades that you’d be forgiven if you don’t know what a pattern lock is, especially if you have only ever used iPhones, or Android phones in just the last few years.

Pattern locks are patterns you create on your smartphone and designate as a smartphone lock/ screen lock. There is a 9-point keypad of sorts, and you start swiping your finger from any point to any point for any which way you feel like. Android 13 allows a minimum of 4 points registered. They are easy to create, and easy to use, hence called easy pattern locks.

Pattern locks have only ever been offered on Android devices and were commonplace a few years ago until they were deemed not secure enough for use by modern standards because they were easy to figure out by malicious actors.

I.II: Popularity and Usage

Pattern lock is a feature unique to Android and has been so since the start. Naturally, it is one of the preferred ways users have come to unlock their Android devices over the years. Even though modern Android smartphones come with fingerprint recognition and face recognition technologies, there exists a large subset of users still addicted to and acclimatized with the pattern lock feature, opting over fingerprint and face recognition.

There has been, however, research conducted into the safety and security offered by pattern lock in Android.

I.III: Advantages and Drawbacks

Modern smartphones very nearly contain the entirety of our lives; photo memories, video memories, important documents both financial and personal in nature, banking apps, ID and ATM/ credit cards in the “wallet” apps, and whatnot. A smartphone falling into the wrong hands could very nearly be used to devastate the rightful owner, both financially and otherwise. And this is not a claim out of thin air; spyware/ malware/ phishing attacks are on the rise around the world. Locking the smartphone, once considered optional and an unnecessary hassle, is now an absolute must.

Advantages of Pattern Locks

There is no denying that using an easy pattern lock to lock their smartphone seems enough for most users. Swiping your finger across your smartphone to unlock it feels not only cool and futuristic but safer and more secure than remembering and punching in digits. And, for the most part, it is true, given that 4-digit PINs can only have 10,000 unique combinations!

Disadvantages of Pattern Locks

While very easy to use, security researchers and experts have come to agree that the feature is not in the least safe to use, and that is because of how people use the pattern lock feature (discussed in detail below in part II). Some go so far as to say that most pattern locks can be breached in just 5 attempts or less. Imagine that!

What is more, research has found that humans have an uncanny ability to correctly guess a pattern lock simply by viewing the unlocking! The test comprised showing the test subjects videos of users unlocking their phones from different angles and varying distances, and it was found that around 64% of test subjects were able to correctly guess a 6-point pattern lock in one viewing only, and 80% could correctly guess the pattern after just two viewings. By contrast, only 11% were able to correctly deduce a 6-digit PIN after one viewing, and only 27% after viewing twice. This goes to show just how insecure pattern locks are!

Part II: How People Use Pattern Locks

We might wonder how anyone would be able to guess the correct pattern of our device, but believe it or not, it is possible, eerily easily at that! We are all the same humans, after all! You know how people usually set PINs that could be significant dates in their lives? How they get car registration numbers that mean something to them? The same ‘logic’ applies to their setting pattern locks.

At DEFCON 23, Marte Loge, an M.Sc. Computer Science student, presented something that stunned people around the world. She said, “Tell me who you are, and I will tell you your lock pattern.” What followed was an expert presentation outlining and detailing user behaviors around pattern locks.

These are some commonly created pattern locks by people:

• - shapes of alphabets,
• - shapes of numerals,
• - any other easy-to-make, simple shape.

Marte Loge presented the image below, showing how people naturally gravitate towards creating simple shape patterns, in her research.

To further help you see how easy it might be for anyone to guess your pattern, Marte Loge also presented some statistics.

• - 77% of people started their patterns in one of the 4 corners.
• - 44% of Loge’s subjects started their pattern with the first dot, the top-left one. The next number was 15% for the top-right and 14% for the bottom-left.
• - These percentages did not vary much depending on left-handedness or right-handedness.
• - On average, irrespective of gender, people set 5-point patterns, with 4-point patterns being the most common. This means that the number of combinations on average was 7152 for 5-point patterns and a bogglingly low 1624 for 4-point patterns.

The above data makes it amply clear how using an easy pattern lock is actually worse than using a 4-digit PIN, simply because how people are usually using the pattern lock feature.

Part III: Tips For Using More Secure Pattern Locks

Now, we know how hard it is to break habits cemented over years of use, so in case you must at all costs use a pattern lock only, the least you can do is try and change your easy pattern lock to a better, more secure hard pattern lock.

III.I: How to Create More Secure Patterns

Here are some tips to help you create a better, more secure pattern lock for your smartphone.

• - Avoid using any of the corners to start the pattern.
• - Never use your first initial as a pattern.
• - Never use a digit shape as a pattern.
• - You can pass through the same pattern lines multiple times over. This makes it more difficult for someone to guess your pattern correctly.
• - Use all 9 points on the grid while setting the pattern lock! That simple act takes the possible pattern combinations to over 140,000, significantly more than 10,000 for 4-digit PINs, and vastly superior to paltry 1624 for a 4-point easy pattern lock!

III.II: Forgot Your Pattern? Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Without Pattern Lock With Dr.Fone

Supercharged with the information above, you went ahead and changed your easy pattern lock to a hard-to-guess pattern lock. Only problem is, your brain is habituated to that old pattern, and you’ve suddenly forgotten what the new pattern was! Well, worry not; Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) will help you unlock your phone without pattern lock !

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

The Best Tool to Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 without Pattern Locks!

• 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.

4,008,669 people have downloaded it

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

Step 1: Go to Toolbox > Screen Unlock and click Android.

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

Step 3: You will see a list of supported manufacturers on the next screen. Select yours.

Step 4: Now, follow the onscreen guide to prepare your device for screen unlocking.

After completing the process, when the Next button becomes available, click it.

Your device will be successfully unlocked.

Note that this method wipes all data on the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device. There is no way around it. You may be able to unlock select older Samsung devices without data loss. Check this list for those devices.

Closing Words

Pattern locks are outdated and not safe to use an easy pattern lock – there are no two ways about it. As such, our recommendation is to start using a 6-digit PIN along with biometric or face recognition. However, we do understand that sometimes, you simply cannot use biometrics or face recognition. For those instances, we recommend that you use this guide and create a more secure pattern lock for your device. In case you forgot your pattern, there is always Wondershare Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (Android) to save the day.

How To Unlock Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Phone Without Password?

Has your Android smartphone been locked, and are you having trouble unlocking it now because you have forgotten phone password? Looking for methods to remove the password from your Android phone without doing a factory reset?

If the answer is “YES,” you’ve come to the correct spot.

Many people, including you, have had similar issues and wish to know how to unlock an Android phone without a password.

As a result, we have created some of the greatest guidelines or, you might say, top ways that may assist you in unlocking Android phones today, simply for you and countless other Android users.

Part 1: Unlock Your Locked Screen Without Password By 6 Efficient Ways

1. By your Google account

You can use your Google Account to unlock the Android phone password if, after several tries, you are still unable to do so without doing a factory reset.

You need to log into the Google account that is associated with the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device, then do the following:

• The unlock pattern may only be used five times before a notification telling you to try again in 30 seconds appears.
• “Forgot pattern” will show up at the bottom of the screen.

• You must enter the Gmail account that is associated with the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device here before selecting “Next.”

• That’s it; from this point forward, you may enter any new PIN or pattern that you can recall to unlock your smartphone.

2. Google Find My Device

Using your Google account is a superb method for finding the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device when lost or stolen.

In addition, it may be used to lock or ring your smartphone. You may have noticed that there are three options available when using this feature: “Ring,” “Lock,” and “Erase.”

To bypass the Android lock screen, all you need to do is sign into the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device’s associated Google account and then follow these steps:

• On any Android device or a computer, go to <www.google.com/android/find> and sign in using your Google account. Choose the Android smartphone you wish to unlock after that.
• After choosing the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device, select one of the three options, “lock,” from the list.
• There will be a new pop-up window that you can use to change the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device password. Additionally, you can choose to add a phone number or recovery email.
• Confirm it immediately, then input the password you just established on your locked device.

Many Samsung customers have this issue, which prevents them from using their devices. Try using the “Find My Mobile” feature on your mobile if you wish to unlock it if you’re a Samsung user. It would be helpful if you had a Samsung or Android model account.

After that, use Find My Device to unlock your Android phone without losing any data by following the instructions below:

• Sign in with your Samsung account at findmymobile.samsung.com.
• Choose “Lock my screen” from the menu on the left, type a new PIN in the box given, and then click “LOCK.”

Your smartphone will be unlocked, and the password will be changed to the new one after a brief delay.

3. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

Without a factory reset, Android phone passwords may also be unlocked using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• You must first download ADB to your computer. Visit the Android developer’s website at https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb.html to do this.
• Launch the installer after that to begin downloading crucial software for your machine.

• Here, you must use a USB cable to connect your Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 to the computer
• This will activate the developer option on your smartphone if you navigate to Settings > About Phone > and choose the “Build Number” option seven times.
• After that, activate USB debugging by going to Settings > Developer Options.

• Launch the command prompt in the ADB installation directory after your device is connected to the system.
• Press enter after typing “ADB shell rm /data/system/gesture.key” into the command line.

• Finally, just restart your smartphone and use it as normal.

4. Hard reset (data loss)

Each brand has a unique method for hard resetting a locked Android device. The methods to factory reset locked Android devices from Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, and Huawei are compiled here.

When your phone is locked, you may access the recovery menu of your phone using its physical keys and choose to hard reset the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device. Here’s how to restore a locked phone to factory settings.

• Use the buttons to see the recovery menu.
• Press and hold the Volume Up and Side buttons simultaneously until you see the brand logo on the screen for Android devices without a Power/Bixby/Home button.
• Press and hold the Volume Up, Bixby, and Power buttons all at once if your smartphone has a Power button. Releasing them before a logo arises is advised.
• Use the Volume Down key to highlight Wipe data/factory reset when the Android system recovery option displays, then hit the Power/Bixby key to choose it.
• Allow a few seconds for the factory reset procedure to finish after selecting Yes, or Factory data reset. The phone will reboot once you pick the Reboot system. Now you may configure it as if it were a brand-new gadget.

5. Unlock from Forgot Pattern (android 4.4 or lower)

This is another choice that might assist you in unlocking your phone without a factory reset or password. You may have observed that when pattern lock was enabled on your device, a security PIN question was also prompted at that time.

Therefore, you have the choice to Backup PIN, which might assist you in unlocking your smartphone, if you are unable to unlock it. To do it, take the following actions:

• Click on Android pattern lock.
• You’ll see a notification telling you to try again in 30 seconds after failing many times.
• The “Backup PIN” option will be there; choose it.
• Put the backup PIN and OK here.
• At last, you may unlock your cellphone by entering the backup PIN.

6. Boot into safe mode

Here’s how you can boot into safe mode.

• Hit the power button on your phone.
• Press and hold the volume down button on your phone as the animation begins. Hold it down until the animation is finished and your phone enters safe mode.
• “Safe mode” will be shown at the bottom of your screen.
• Out of safe mode
• Switch off your phone.
• Press the Power button on your phone for around 30 seconds, or until the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 device restarts.
• You will see that after entering and booting into the safe mode, the lock option will not be visible.
• Then you will also see the option to turn off boot.
• You can get rid of the locked phone by proceeding with that option.

Part 2: Easy Tool To Unlock Android Phone Without Password

If you forget the lock code, you can simply unlock your Android phone using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Have you encountered the same situation? Do not fret. You may use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to unlock the screen lock on Android smartphones. It enables you to erase an Android phone’s password, PIN, pattern, and fingerprint.

Let’s learn how to safely remove the Android lock screen.

Step 1: Connect your phone

Open Dr.Fone on your PC, then select “Screen Unlock” from the list of tools.

The Dr.Fone functionality is still usable with the old UI of the Dr.Fone Mac version, but we will update it as soon as we can.

Connect your Android phone to the PC via a USB cable. then click the “Unlock Android Screen” button on the software.

Step 2. Choose a device model

Nearly all Android devices feature locked displays, including Android. Because the recovery kits for different phone models vary, it’s important to pick the correct device brand to unlock the lock. Every model of supporting hardware is included in the list.

Step 3. Switch to download mode

If you then adhere to the instructions on the software, the phone will enter Download Mode.

• Offset your phone.
• Hold down the Power, Home, and Volume Down keys all at once.
• Use the Volume Up button to start Download Mode.
• Remove the Android lock screen starting now..

Step 4. Download a package for recovery

The recovery package will begin downloading once you set your device in download mode. Wait only till it is completed.

Step 5: Unlock Android without erasing data

After the recovery package download is finished, click “Remove Now.” This operation won’t harm any data on your Android device.

When everything is done, you won’t need to enter a password to access your Android smartphone, allowing you to see all of your data without any limitations.

Bonus Tips: How To Keep Our Data Safe?

Dr.Fone - Phone Backup is an excellent solution to keeping data safe and secure and baking it up before resetting your device, even if you have forgotten your password. You may quickly and conveniently back up practically all forms of Android phone data with Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (Android). Additionally, you may examine and export only certain types of data.

Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone - Phone Backup to keep data safe.

Step 1: Connect your Android phone to your PC.

Open Dr.Fone on your PC, then select “Phone Backup” from the menu.

Next, join your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable. The phone must be in USB debugging mode, please. You will be prompted to approve USB Debugging in a pop-up window on the Android phone if your version of Android is higher. Press the OK button if you would.

Click Backup to start backing up the data on your Android device.

If you have previously used this programme to back up your device, you may review your backup history by clicking on “View backup history.”

Step 2: Choose which file types to backup.

Once the Android phone is connected, select the file types you want to backup. Dr. Fone has previously examined all the file types for you. After that, click Backup to start the backup process.

It will cost some time for the backup. Do not disconnect your Android phone from the computer, use it, or delete any data while making a backup.

When the backup is complete, you may click the View the backup button to see what’s in the backup file.

The Bottom Line

It would be best if you had been able to answer the question, “How to unlock an Android phone without password,” using the techniques we have demonstrated here. The most effective way for resetting an Android phone is Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock for Android. You may quickly reset a locked Android phone without a password with only a few clicks.

Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy XCover 7’s Potential: The Top 20 Lock Screen Apps You Need to Try

The stock lock screen for Android may sometime feel boring. The OS does not let us do many changes to it and we have to remain satisfied with whatever is provided. But what if someone tells you there is a way to make things more exciting?

There are unique lock screen apps for android that can change the complete feel of the lock screen. You can get control over various tasks and perform actions directly from the screen. Today we will talk about the top 20 lock screen apps for android that will totally change the unlocking experience.

1. AcDisplay

It is a simple design android lock screen app which handles notifications in a minimalistic approach. You can access application directly from the lock screen. It has an active mode to wake your device using sensors.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

Download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.achep.acdisplay

2. Hi Locker

Classic, Lollipo and iOS – you get three styles of unlocking with this lock screen android app. It even features fingerprint unlocking on chosen Samsung and Marshmallow devices. You can highly customize the android lock screen and even add events or weather predictions.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

3. CM Locker

It is one of the most popular lock screen apps for android. It sets new level in phone security by taking selfie of anyone who tries to enter wrong password to access the phone.

Compatibility – Device dependent

4. LokLok

This beta app to lock Android screen is more for fun with friends. You can draw on your app screen and share with friends. Friends can also modify them and share.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

6. ZUI Locker-Elegant Lock Screen

With this lock screen app for Android, you can set HD wallpaper and chose different layouts and themes on an impressive and simple UI. The android lock screen wallpapers can be rendered movement by phone’s gravity sensor.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

7. Next News Lock Screen

For people interested in events of the world, this lock screen android app features news stories. Breaking news from your chosen categories will be presented directly on the lock screen.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

8. C-Locker

Anyone looking for easy and simple unlocking experience will find C-Locker useful. It has many unlocking options to change lock screen wallpaper.

Compatibility – Android 2.3.3+

9. Echo Notification Lockscreen

One of the cool and minimalist lock screen apps for android is Echo. It provides instant detailed notifications in sorted in categories. You can snooze alerts and control music from the screen. It is also customizable with wallpapers.

Compatibility – Android 4.3+

10. GO Locker

It is one of the most popular and highly downloaded lock screen apps for android. Fully protection is guaranteed with lock home button feature. It presents a wide range of themes and unlocking styles and shortcuts too.

Compatibility – Device dependent

11. SlideLock Locker

For iOS fanatics this app delivers the Apple way of swiping to right to unlock. Doing it the other way gives direct access to camera. You can set custom alerts for each app.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

12. Cover Lock Screen

Ever heard about an app that predicts your need? Cover uses real time data to place useful apps on android lock screen when you are at work, travelling or at home.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

13. SnapLock Smart Lock Screen

You get a smooth unlocking experience featured in an elegant design in SnapLock. The app sends editor picked wallpapers daily to make things exciting. The date and time can also be arranged in many ways.

Compatibility – Android 4.1+

14. L Locker

Presenting the stylish design of Lollipop and Marshmallow, this applock for android also includes fun pattern lock animations. You can quick launch apps and control music.

Compatibility – Android 4.0+

16. DashClock Widget

DashClock lock screen android app lets you access weather reports, missed calls, calendar events, emails and alarms directly. It can also be used with other supported apps.

Compatibility – Android 4.2+

18. Locker Master

You can use Lock Master’s DIY editor to customize the android lock screen. Many clock designs, graphics etc can make your lock screen amazing. It delivers over 2,000 live wallpapers and themes.

Compatibility – Android 4.0.3+

20. Dodol Locker

It features best designs and themes among lock screen apps for android. You can decorate the lock screen in many ways and use powerful security features. The themes can be downloaded from Theme Shop in the app.

Compatibility – Android 2.3.3+

These are some of the best lock screen apps for Android that you can find. You can get more security and do more with your Android apps, in an easy manner. Plus, do not forget that every phone should have an app lock for Android – it might be really risky not to.