In 2024, Still Using Pattern Locks with Sony? Tips, Tricks and Helpful Advice

In 2024, Still Using Pattern Locks with Sony? Tips, Tricks and Helpful Advice

Peter Lv13

Still Using Pattern Locks with Sony Xperia 5 V? 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 So, why have these easy pattern locks become outdated, and why do people still continue to use them?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.

creating more secure 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.

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.

common pattern locks

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 Sony Xperia 5 V 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 !

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Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

The Best Tool to Unlock Your Sony Xperia 5 V 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.

drfone app

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

drfone android screen unlock

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

drfone screen unlock android

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

drfone screen unlock brand selection

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

wipe partition cache instructions

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

Your device will be successfully unlocked.

screen unlock succesful

Note that this method wipes all data on the Sony Xperia 5 V 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 Sony Xperia 5 V Phone without Any Data Loss

In today’s digital age, our Android phones serve as the primary hub of our lives, holding a treasure trove of personal and professional data. Yet, the frustration of being locked out due to forgotten passwords or malfunctioning security features can be overwhelming, compounded by the fear of data loss during the recovery process. However, there’s a beacon of hope - a way to unlock your Android phone without any data loss. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the latest techniques, tools, and methods to regain access to your Android device safely without a password, PIN, or fingerprint. Let’s dive into it now.

Part 1. How to Unlock Sony Xperia 5 V Phone with Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

If you or someone accidentally forgot or mistyped/misentered your lock password and caused it to lock permanently, of course, you will find ways to unlock it at first. But if you are not connected to the internet, or did not register a Google account for your device, your last resort would be to factory reset your device. That will totally wipe everything you have and save it on your device. If you want to unlock your lock screen without having to worry that your device data will be erased, Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) is your phone unlocking software .

Safe downloadsafe & secure

Note: This tool temporarily support unlocking part of Samsung and LG locked screen without losing data, but other Android phone will be wiped all data if you try to unlock the screen with Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android).

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove 4 Types of Android Screen Lock without Data Loss

  • It can remove 4 screen lock types - pattern, PIN, password & fingerprints.
  • Only remove the lock screen. No data loss at all.
  • No tech knowledge asked. Everybody can handle it.
  • Work for Samsung Galaxy S/Note/Tab series and LG G2/G3/G4.

4,464,578 people have downloaded it

Steps on How to Unlock an Android Phone with Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Step 1. Connect your Android phone to your PC with Dr.Fone installed, then run the program.

Step 2. Then, you should see the “Screen Unlock” tool, so proceed into it. After that,  click “Android” > “Unlock Android Screen.”

Dr.Fone home

Step 3. Then choose “Remove without Data loss” to unlock part Samsung/LG devices without data loss and find your device model.

Dr.Fone android Lock Screen Removal

Step 4. Follow the instructions on the program to get the Android phone into “Download Mode.”

  • 1. Power off the phone.
  • 2. Press and hold volume down + home button + power button at the same time.
  • 3. Press the volume up to enter download mode.

Dr.Fone android Lock Screen Removal

Step 5. The loading process will take you a few minutes because it is going to verify first your device’s compatibility.

Dr.Fone removing lock screen

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Step 6. Wait until everything is done. You should then see your device already has no lock screen.

Dr.Fone lock screen removed

That’s how to unlock an Android phone with just one click using Wondershare’s Dr.Fone. If your device is not Samsung or LG, you can use a more advanced mode to unlock your phone .

Part 2. How to Unlock Android Phone with Aroma File Manager (with Data Loss)/h2>

If you weren’t able to open your Wi-Fi or data connection or enable USB Debugging, this is the way for you to unlock your lock screen. This could be a bit complicated, but it should work.

Steps are provided below, and please follow the step-by-step guide carefully to avoid a boot loop or any other damage.

Step 1. Download Aroma File Manager on your PC. This is a tool that unlocks Android phones. Android users can use it for free.

Aroma File Manager download page

Step 2. Go to your Downloads folders and copy the downloaded zip file.

Copy Aroma zip file

Step 3. Plug into your PC a memory card that you can insert into your phone later. Then, go to your list of connected devices and select the memory card.

open memory card on pc

Step 4. Paste the copied Aroma zip file. Once copied, eject it from your PC, then insert it into your Android device.

Paste aroma file manager

arom file manager pasted

Step 5. Enter Recovery Mode for your device. Each Android device has its own ways of entering recovery mode, so take a look at this link and find your device.

Enter recovery mode android

Step 6. When you are already in Android Recovery Mode, use your volume keys to navigate to ‘’apply update from external storage’’, then select the zip file you copied a while ago. It will be flashed on your device.

Android system recovery

Step 7. After it, restart, and recovery mode will reopen as Aroma File Manager, so go to its settings and select ‘’Automount all devices on start’’, then restart. Back in Aroma File Manager, go to the directory data>system. Check if the ff. exist. If they do, delete them. Then restart again.

  • gesture.key (pattern) / password.key (password)
  • locksettings.db
  • locksettings.db-shm
  • locksettings.db-wal
  • signature.key
  • sparepassword.key

arom file manager

Now you have your device booted up, and your Android lock screen is still locked, just gesture in or enter anything. It will be unlocked. And that’s how to unlock an Android phone using your device.

Part 3. How to Unlock Android Phone Using Minimal ADB and Fastboot (with Data Loss)

If you weren’t able to connect to the Internet, but you, fortunately, enabled your USB Debugging option before your device was locked, the ARONSDB tool from the Android SDK package can help you unlock your Android phone.

Here is the step-by-step guide for you to follow

Step 1. Go to Minimal ADB and Fastboot download page.

Minimal adb and fastboot dowload page

Step 2. Download the tool’s latest version.

Minimal adb and fastboot downloaded

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Step 3. Open the downloaded Minimal ADB and Fastbootzip file and install it.

Minimal adb and fastboot installer zip

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Minimal adb and fastboot setup

Minimal adb and fastboot installation complete

Step 4. Make sure your device is connected, then go to the Minimal ADB and Fastboot installation directory.

This PC [Win 8& 10] or My computer [Windows 7 & below]> Local Disk (C:) [primary drive]> Program Files [for 32-bit] or Program Files (x86) [for 64-bit] > Minimal ADB and Fasboot.

Local Disk

Program Files (x86) folder

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Minimal adb and fastboot folder

Step 5. Inside the folder, hold the Shift key on your keyboard, then right-click your mouse. An additional “Open command window here” will appear so select that.

Minimal adb and fastboot open command

Step 6. ADB terminal will pop out. Now, the first is to type in ADB devices. This is to check if your device is recognized by ADB. If there is no device listed below, try to remove and reconnect your Sony Xperia 5 V and retype the command. If there are listed devices already, proceed.

Minimal adb and fastboot command window adb devices command

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Step 7. Finally, type in the following commands one by one. These commands will remove your lock screen.

  • adb shell
  • cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
  • sqlite3 settings.db
  • update system set value=0 where
  • name=’lock_pattern_autolock’;
  • update system set value=0 where
  • name=’lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently’;
  • .quit

Minimal adb and fastboot adb shell command

This would work if you have your USB debugging turned on before it was locked. That’s how to unlock Android using ADB.

Part 4: How to Unlock Phone via Find My Device (with Data Loss)

Google Find My Device is another handy way to unlock your locked Android device. However, it requires you to have your Google ID credentials and you have previously enabled Find My Device features. Moreover, it will erase all the data on your device. Use the following steps to unlock your Android phone via Find My Device:

Step 1: Open a web browser on a computer or another device and visit the Find My Device website. Now, sign in with the Google account that is linked to the locked Android device.

Step 2: After signing in, you will see a list of devices associated with your Google account on the left side of the screen. Select the locked Android device from the list and choose the “Erase Device” option from the menu on the left-hand side.

tap on erase device option

Step 3: You will now be asked to confirm your identity through a Google account password or using a pass-key. Afterward, follow the on-screen instructions to erase and unlock your Android device.

Part 5: How to Unlock Android Phone without Losing Data in Safe Mode

One way to unlock your Android phone without losing the data is by utilizing Safe Mode. This method works only if the screen lock you have been using is a third-party app. Since Safe Mode disables third-party apps, you can easily use it to uninstall the problematic app. Here is how to unlock an Android phone without losing data:

Step 1: On your Android device, press and hold “Power” and “Volume Down” keys together for 3 seconds. After the Power menu becomes visible, press and hold the “Power off” option.

Step 2: After a while, you will see the “Safe Mode” option on your screen with some basic instructions. Now, you can use the button to boot into Safe Mode and remove the screen lock application.

restart android device in safe mode

Part 6. How to Unlock Android Phone without Any Data Loss Using Google Account (Android 4.4 or lower)

If luckily, you left your Wi-Fi open and luckily connected to the internet, this is the easiest way to unlock your Android phone.

The step-by-step guide for you to refer

Step 1: Retry the incorrect password or pattern until the ‘’Forgotten Password/Pattern’’ appears below. Then select that.

android forgot pattern lock

Step 2: Check ‘’Enter your Google Account details’’ then tap next.

Unlock screen enter google account details

Step 3: Input your Google Account details, username, and password. You are done.

Account unlock Google

You will be given the option to input a new password or pattern right after you enter your Google account details. But if not, Google must have emailed you your temporary password or pattern that you will input to unlock your lock screen.

How to Remove Forgotten PIN Of Your Sony Xperia 5 V

Users of Android phones can benefit from data and file protection tools like passwords, patterns, and PINs. But there are also some significant hazards. For instance, your children may have repeatedly used the wrong password to access your Android phone, or you may have forgotten PIN on your device, pattern, or PIN.

We can use various valuable techniques to remove the Android phone password. According to you, the most typical or initial option must be factory reset. However, if you try to use the factory reset, you will lose all the data on your Android phone.

Read the information below, but first, let’s talk about Android phone passwords and how they operate before moving on to the ways.

forgot pin

The Importance of the Android Lock System

In general, phone passwords are used to secure your device against unauthorized access and shield your files and data from it. You can try using a pattern, password, PIN, or another method to unlock your device. Although it has many benefits, there are also hazards. Risk in the sense that if you lose your device’s password or pattern, you will be unable to access it and will be stuck somewhere.

Several firms are making Android phones, so why shouldn’t more? Because Android phones are in high demand, numerous new businesses are now producing them. We can see that more people than any other operating system use mobile devices with Android. With an Android phone, we can do many functions, be constantly connected to the outside world, and everything runs smoothly.

This is an important issue that needs to be resolved right away. Therefore, some methods can assist you in getting out of it, one of which is doing a factory reset. They believe this is the most effective and secure way; thus, many try it. What about the information you have on the Sony Xperia 5 V device, though? What should you do next because a factory reset will destroy your data?

how to find lock system

Methods to Recover Forgotten Password or PIN

1. Google Smart Lock

If you have added a trusted area or device in Google Smart Lock, you can go to that trusted area and reset your password. Alternatively, you can also use trusted devices to unlock your device.

2. 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 Sony Xperia 5 V 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 Sony Xperia 5 V device and get rid of the forgot pattern lock.

google find my device

3. Recovery Mode

Users of Android smartphones and tablets can troubleshoot various issues with their devices using a feature known as Android Recovery Mode. If you discover that your device is functioning strangely, it might be helpful. 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. The instructions for resetting android devices through recovery mode differ for every android device.

recovery mode

4. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

On most Android handsets, it is wise to give it a try on Dr.Fone to unlock the screen lock easily. It allows you to remove the password, PIN, pattern, and fingerprint from an Android phone.

Step 1. Select Unlock Android Screen

Please select “Unlock Android Screen” to ensure you have the correct unlock process.

select unlock android screen

Step 2. Select device model

If you see this page, please choose the option fitting your phone, otherwise, you can’t unlock your device as you wish.

select device model

(Enter Recovery Mode via the Samsung phone with Bixby)

with bixby

(Enter Recovery Mode via the Samsung phone without Bixby)

enter recovery mode

(Enter Recovery Mode via the Samsung phone with the Home button)

Step 3. Instructions to Wipe Cache Partition

On the page Recovery Mode, it’s the most important step to unlock your device. Please click the right buttons.

click the right buttons

Congratulations! Now you can access your phone again, and there’re no obstacles when you do anything on your phone.

access your phone again

FAQs

  1. Will Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock Do Harm To My Sony Xperia 5 V?

Answer: No, Dr.Fone is safe for your device, all hardware will be safe, and you can still use your phone as usual when you try our products, but for devices other than Samsung and LG, you may have to face data loss. So, if you want to keep your data safe, please have a backup on your phone.

  1. How To Keep My Data Safe?

Answer: Dr.Fone - Phone Backup is a good option for backing up the sensitive data on your device. If you want to know more, don’t hesitate and find any required information on our website.

Conclusion

Any methods mentioned above can work to overcome the obstacle of unlocking the screen with your Android handset. The best thing about all methods we said is that you just need some easy ways to complete the tasks.


Also read:

  • Title: In 2024, Still Using Pattern Locks with Sony? Tips, Tricks and Helpful Advice
  • Author: Peter
  • Created at : 2024-11-14 05:59:19
  • Updated at : 2024-11-16 05:48:15
  • Link: https://android-unlock.techidaily.com/in-2024-still-using-pattern-locks-with-sony-tips-tricks-and-helpful-advice-by-drfone-android/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.