Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Oppo Find N3 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!

Click here

## 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 Oppo Find N3 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 Oppo Find N3 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.

Forgot Pattern Lock? Here’s How You Can Unlock Oppo Find N3 Pattern Lock Screen

Forgetting the pattern lock of a device and getting locked out of it is probably one of the most frustrating scenarios faced by Android users. Nevertheless, unlike popular operating systems, Android provides a seamless way to past the forgot pattern lock feature.

You can either try Google’s native solution or a third-party tool in case you have forgotten the pattern lock on your device and reset it. In no time, you will be able to access your device (or even someone else’s phone by following these techniques). To make things easier for you, we have provided three simple solutions to resolve forgotten patterns on Android devices.

Part 1: How to bypass forgot pattern lock using the ‘Forgot Pattern’ feature?

One of the easiest and fastest ways to fix the forgot pattern lock issue on a device is by using its inbuilt “Forgot Pattern” feature. If you are using an Android 4.4 or earlier version, then you can simply access this feature. Since users can hack an Android device just by knowing the Google credentials of the connected device, the solution was later discontinued (as it was considered a security vulnerability). Nevertheless, if your device hasn’t been updated and you are using an Android 4.4 or previous version, then you can bypass the forgot pattern lock by following these steps:

Step 1. Firstly, provide the wrong pattern to your device. It will let you know that you applied the incorrect pattern.

Step 2. On the same prompt, you can see an option of “Forgot pattern” on the bottom. Simply tap on it.

Step 3. This will open a new screen, which can be used to bypass the forgotten pattern of Android. Select the option for entering the Google Account details and proceed.

Step 4. To reset the forgot pattern lock, you need to provide the correct Google credentials of the account already linked to the Oppo Find N3 device.

Step 5. After signing in to the interface, you will be asked to provide a new pattern lock for the Oppo Find N3 device.

Step 6. Confirm your choice and set a new pattern lock on your device.

Part 2: How to get past forgot pattern lock using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)?

One of the major drawbacks of the “Forgot pattern” feature is that it doesn’t work on new Android devices. Since most of the Oppo Find N3 devices out there have been updated, the technique has been outdated. Therefore, you can simply take the assistance of Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) to bypass the forgot pattern lock on your device. Without causing any harm to your device or erasing its data, your device’s password or pattern would be removed.

It is a part of the Dr.Fone toolkit and is compatible with all the leading Android devices out there. It can be used to remove passwords, patterns, pins, and more. It has an easy-to-use interface and provides a simple click-through process to resolve the forgot pattern Android lock on your device. However, this tool merely retains all the data after unlocking Samsung and LG screens. Other Android locked screens can also be unlocked, and the only thing is that it will wipe all the data after unlocking.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

Save You from Ending up with a Locked Phone After Too Many Pattern Attempts

• It can remove 4 screen lock types - pattern, PIN, password & fingerprints.
• Work for Samsung, LG, Huawei phones, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Lenovo, etc.
• Unlock 20,000+ models of Android phones & tablets.
• Enable you to break your Android pattern lock without root.

4,008,669 people have downloaded it

Step 1. To start with, visit the official website of Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) and download it on your system. After installing it, launch the tool and select the option of “Screen Unlock” from the home screen.

Step 2. To use its forgot pattern lock feature, you need to connect your Oppo Find N3 to your system using a USB cable. Once your device has been detected automatically, just click on the “Android”> “Unlock Android Screen” button.

Step 3. Select the correct phone brand. It is important to ensure phone brand correctness to prevent bricking.

Step 4. Then, enter “confirm” in the box to tell the tool that you agree to proceed.

Step 5. Now, in order to fix the forgot pattern Android issue, you need to put your device into the Download Mode. To do this, you need to ensure that your device is switched off. Once it is off, hold the Power, Home, and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. After a while, press the Volume Up button to put your device into Download Mode.

Step 6. After your device enters its Download Mode, it will automatically be detected by the interface. It will start downloading the needed recovery packages to resolve the issue. Sit back and relax, as it might take a while to download the recovery packages. Let the application process the essential operations, and don’t disconnect your Oppo Find N3 until it is completed successfully.

Step 7. In the end, you will get a prompt like this on the screen, informing you that the password/pattern on the Oppo Find N3 device has been removed.

That’s it! Now, you can disconnect the Oppo Find N3 device safely and use it how you like.

Part 3: How to bypass forgot pattern lock using Android Device Manager?

To make it easier for its users to locate, lock, or erase their devices remotely, Google has developed a dedicated feature of the Android Device Manager. It is also commonly known as “Find My Device” as it is mostly used to locate a lost (or stolen) device. Though you can use this feature to ring your device, lock it, unlock it, or erase it remotely. You can access it from anywhere by providing your Google credentials and resolving the forgot pattern Android problem.

All of this can be done by following these steps:

Step 1. Launch a web browser of any device and go to the Android Device Manager website by clicking right here: https://www.google.com/android/find .

Step 2. You need to provide your Google credentials to sign in. Remember, this should be the same Google account that is linked to your device.

Step 3. After signing in, select the target Android device.

Step 4. You will get the location of the Oppo Find N3 device with several other options (lock, erase, and ring).

Step 5. Click on the “Lock” button to reset its password.

Step 6. It will open a new pop-up window. From here, you can provide the new password for your device.

Step 7. After confirming your password, you can also provide an optional recovery message and phone number (if your device has been lost or stolen).

Step 8. Save your changes and sign out of your account from Android Device Manager.

This will automatically reset the old pattern on your device to the new password.

Part 4: How to bypass forgot Samsung pattern lock using Samsung Find My Mobile

Bypassing a forgotten Samsung pattern lock using the Samsung Find My Mobile service is a method specifically designed for Samsung devices. This method allows you to unlock your Samsung device without losing any data. It’s a convenient way to regain access to your device if you’ve forgotten the pattern lock.

However, it relies on having previously set up Samsung Find My Mobile and linked your device. Here is how to unlock your Samsung device with Samsung Find My Mobile:

Step 1: Access the Find My Mobile (SmartThings Find) website using either a computer or another mobile device. Sign in using the Samsung account details linked to the locked device.

Step 2: After successfully logging in, locate the locked Samsung device. Now, click on the “Unlock” feature. Upon choosing this option, a pop-up window will appear. It will prompt you to input your Samsung account password. Once you’ve entered your password, proceed to unlock the Oppo Find N3 device by pressing “Next.”

Part 5: How to bypass forgot pattern lock using Safe Mode

If you have locked your device using a third-party app, there exists a simple solution. You can use the Safe Mode to remove the problematic app. Safe Mode is intended for troubleshooting and disabling third-party apps. Following are the steps you need to follow to use Safe Mode to unlock your Android device:

Step 1: Initiating Safe Mode requires a simultaneous three-second press of the “Volume Down” and “Power” keys. When the power menu becomes visible, proceed to long-press the “Power Off” icon.

Step 2: In a moment, you’ll see the option “Safe Mode” replacing the other “Power Off” menu options. Proceed to boot your device into Safe Mode and uninstall the troublesome application.

Part 6: How to bypass forgot pattern lock using Factory Reset

Bypassing a forgotten pattern lock on an Android device using a factory reset is a last resort. The reason is it will erase all data on your device, including apps, photos, and settings. However, it can be an effective way to regain access to your device when other methods have failed. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Turn off your Samsung device and connect it to your computer. Now press and hold “Volume Up” and “Power” keys for a while. Release the keys once the Oppo Find N3 device enters Recovery Mode.

Step 2: In Recovery Mode, use the Volume keys to navigate to “Wipe data/factory reset” and select it with the “Power” key. Confirm the action on the next screen by selecting “Factory data reset.”

Wrap it up

If you have also forgotten the pattern lock on your device, then you can simply remove or reset it by following these solutions. In this way, you won’t even lose your important data files or cause any harm to your device. Without facing any unwanted setbacks, you would be able to bypass forgot pattern Android using Dr. Fone - Screen Unlock . It provides a fast, reliable, and secure solution to remove the lock screen security of an Android device in an effortless way.

The Top 5 Android Apps That Use Fingerprint Sensor to Lock Your Apps On Oppo Find N3

In addition to passwords and patterns, the fingerprint scanner is one of the hottest features on leading phones of today to lock apps with fingerprint Android. The Fingerprint scanner is the latest fashion in smartphones. You would have observed that with fingerprint scanner going middle-of-the-road, many of the new low-priced phones have also been furnished with this new feature. Although the foremost purpose of the fingerprint scanner is to lock or unlock Your Oppo Find N3, it can also be utilized to lock and unlock your mobile applications. But not all phones are equipped with this feature. The aforesaid feature is easy to use, quick and smart.

However, if your phone has an inbuilt fingerprint scanner but it does not countenance you to lock the individual apps in your mobile with the fingerprint scanner, you do not need to worry at all! There are some apps that can add this option on your phone. And we are here to suggest you the 5 best options to lock apps with the fingerprint on your Android phones out of the many apps available in the app store! Here we go:

1. AppLock

AppLock is rated as the best one of the apps for locking apps on your Android phone. Once you download this app you will notice that it can lock apps with fingerprint practically on your Android phone. It is also capable of locking photos and videos on your device. The app features are secured when you feel that someone is trying to stealthily look at the mobile while you are unlocking your Android phone. Apart from this, you will also get the option to replace the icon so that you are capable of hiding the app. Now the bonus –You can download and use this app absolutely free for locking the apps on your iPhone or Android apps using the fingerprint.

Features:

• Invisible pattern lock
• A virtual keyboard as security.
• Free application for all iPhone and Android users
• Interactive app features with flexible storage
• Minute versions are updated automatically.

URL for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.applock&hl=en

Google Rating: 4.4

2. App Locker: Fingerprint & Pin

The subsequent name on the list of best app locks using lock apps with the fingerprint on your Android phone is App Locker. Most of the functions and features of this app are similar to the app lock. This lock apps with fingerprint iPhone have a tricky feature though, want to know? This naughty app, along with the app lock facility (using PIN, password, or fingerprint sensor), can trigger a sham crash screen which will trick the impostors to think that your phone is crashed! Isn’t it interesting? One more thing to interest you – it is also free to download and use.

Features:

• You can lock your galleries, social media apps, message app using a pin.
• The Applock has a feature to take the picture of unknown users if they tried to open up your Android phone.
• You can set up a fake app pattern.
• Possibilities to lock according to time session.
• The lock engine is updated instantly.

URL for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamemalt.applocker&hl=en

Google Rating: 4.5

3. FingerSecurity

The next on the list is FingerSecurity - one of the feature-rich lock apps with fingerprint Android available for free download for your Android phones. You can lock practically any application with the help of FingerSecurity. In addition, it also has the knack to unlock multiple apps on a single go. If you are among those few people who have many locked apps, you are going to like this a lot! But one thing that you cannot negate is that despite the app being locked, the intruders may get a chance to view what is inside through the notifications. But Fingersecurity has an answer to this also – it has added a new notification locking feature!

Features:

• The widgets are equipped with enabling and disable services.
• Settings for the apps are customized.
• Apps are designed to prevent uninstalling.
• Fingerprints are hidden using UI.
• Protection for newly installed apps.

URL for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rickclephas.fingersecurity&hl=en

Google Rating: 4.2

4. Norton Applock

Whenever we have heard the word anti-virus, the first name that comes to our mind is Norton. Norton is a big shot in the field of antivirus apps. Now they have also come up with free lock apps with fingerprint Android. It involves a four digits PIN or password or pattern as its lock system. It also supports icons and photos in conjunction with the apps. The app suggests you with the sanctions list which tells you which apps should be locked. Again the bonus – this is free for download on any Android devices.

Features:

• Gizmo for users who expect a more noninterventionist.
• Take the photo of illegitimate intruders.
• Solid lock apps with fingerprint iPhone.

URL for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.symantec.applock&hl=en

Google Rating: 4.6

5. Perfect Applock

Perfect App Lock is yet another great lock apps with the fingerprint for Android from the basket of app locks. Like other app locks, this one also features the basics. In addition, it has special features including support for locking Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other buckles. It is a tough one to intrude. It tricks the bye passers-by throwing out fake errors and messages to confuse the intruders. This rather makes the thief think that there is a different issue with the phone excluding the app lock. This lock app with fingerprint Android is also available for free. The free and the paid versions offer the exact same features, except that the paid version is free from advertisements.

Features:

• Multi-windows applications are visualized.
• The sensor will support whenever you unlock apps.
• Free updating and monetizing are available.
• No limitations are applicable.

URL for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.morrison.applocklite&hl=en

Google Rating: 4.5

Apart from the aforesaid apps, there are many lock apps with fingerprint locking method for Android phones; however, these have been selected purely based on user ratings. If you are using the iPhone, you can have some app locks based on fingerprint sensors like 1Password, Scanner Pro, LastPass, or Mint to lock apps with the fingerprint on your iPhone.

Do you know of any other apps which can offer similar or even better features?

Do share them with us!!!

Now since we have told you about the best lock app with a fingerprint for Android that can be used to lock your apps and phone using fingerprint sensors, go ahead downloading one for your device. You can understand the pros and cons by yourself and enjoy the benefits of your downloaded app. You have got the list of five of the best fingerprint scanner apps which are available on the play store. If you have any suggestions you are most welcome to contact us.

Do not forget to share your experiences with the apps mentioned in our article. We are waiting for your response!!!