Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Samsung Galaxy S23+ 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 Samsung Galaxy S23+ 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.

Click here


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 Samsung Galaxy S23+ 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.

How To Unlock Any Samsung Galaxy S23+ Phone Password Using Emergency Call

Today, smartphones are an extension of people. Securing them with a PIN, passcode, pattern, fingerprint, or face unlock has become the norm. It’s like putting a digital lock on our private world.

But you have to face it: sometimes, people forget the codes they set to protect their phones or can’t unlock them with their injured fingers or faces. Picture this: you’re staring at your phone screen, trying to recall that password, but it’s not coming to you.

That’s where emergency call bypass is a nifty little trick that can be a lifesaver. In this article, you’ll learn how to unlock any phone password using the emergency call technique. The article will also explore other methods for when your memory fails you. So, read through and never go through this trouble again.

Part 1: What Is the Emergency Call Bypass Method?

The Android emergency call bypass method is a lesser-known workaround for those unfortunate moments when you’re locked out of your phone. This method exploits a loophole in the phone’s lock screen, allowing you to access your device even when you’ve forgotten your password, PIN, or pattern. It’s like finding a secret backdoor when the front door is bolted shut.

“How can unlocking Vivo, Oppo, and Samsung phones using emergency calls be effective?” You may ask. Imagine you need to access important information on your phone but can’t remember your lock screen code. Instead of panicking or rushing to a technician, the emergency call bypass can be a quick and handy solution. It’s particularly useful when immediate access to your phone is crucial and you don’t have time to reset your password through official channels.

Limitations of the Emergency Call Bypass Method

However, it’s important to note that this method has its limitations. It primarily works on older Android devices, specifically those running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and below. As smartphone technology has evolved, manufacturers have patched many loopholes to enhance security. So, this method might not work for you if you have a more recent Android version.

But don’t worry – if you’re locked out of a newer phone, you can try several other methods, which you will explore later in this article. Remember, the emergency call bypass can be a lifesaver in specific scenarios. However, it’s always best to use such methods responsibly and ethically. And, of course, you should always note your passwords.

Part 2: How To Perform Emergency Call Bypass To Unlock Screen

Unlocking your Android phone without a password using the Emergency Call Bypass method can be tricky, but it’s doable, especially on devices running Android OS 5.0 (Lollipop) and below. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unlock any phone password using the emergency call feature:

• Step 1: Start by tapping the Emergency Call button on your lock screen. This will bring up the emergency dialer screen.

Click here


• Step 2: Type a series of special symbols on the dialer screen, such as asterisks (*). Do this several times in a row.
• Step 3: Double-tap the string of symbols to highlight them, then copy the string. Now, tap on the screen to paste the copied string. Repeat this process 10 to 11 times until you can no longer highlight the series.
• Step 4: Go back to the lock screen. Open the Camera app by tapping the camera icon or sliding left. Simultaneously, pull down the Notification Panel from the top.
• Step 5: In the Notification Panel, tap the gear icon to try and access your device’s settings.
• Step 6: When prompted for a password, long-press and paste the copied string into the password field. Repeat this several times until the option to paste is no longer available.
• Step 7: Keep pasting the string until the interface crashes. The lock screen should disappear, and the camera interface will expand. After some time, the camera app should also crash, and your device will unlock, displaying the home screen.

This method, while unconventional, has been known to work on various Android 5 devices, including Samsung models. However, using this technique responsibly and only on devices you own or have permission to access is important. Remember, this method exploits a security flaw and should be used as a last resort.

Part 3: Other Ways To Unlock Your Screen

While the emergency call bypass for Android method is interesting, it’s largely unreliable and outdated, mainly effective on older Android versions. Modern devices have significantly improved security, making this method obsolete. There are other, more reliable methods for those needing to unlock their phone’s screen.

Method 1: Wondershare Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a comprehensive software solution for various mobile issues, including screen unlocking. It’s especially useful when you’ve forgotten your password, pattern, or PIN. Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone to unlock your screen:

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

The Best UnlockJunky Alternative to Bypass FRP and Solve Your Screen Locks

• Completely unlinked from the previous Google account, it won’t be traced or blocked by it anymore.
• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Compatiable with various Android models.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,670 people have downloaded it

• Step 1: Launch the Dr.Fone toolkit and go to Toolbox > Screen Unlock. Connect your Android device to your PC.

• Step 2: On the next page, choose Android.

• Step 3: Select Unlock Android Screen, as this is specifically for bypassing the lock screen

• Step 4: Select the brand of your device.

• Step 5: Click Remove without Data Loss to ensure your data stays intact.

• Step 6: Confirm device details. Then, enter “000000” to confirm and initiate the unlocking process.

• Step 7: The software will provide specific instructions to put your device into download mode. Follow them.

• Step 8: Once the process is complete, click Done. If it doesn’t work the first time, try again.

Method 2: Using “Forgot PIN/Passcode” and Google Account

You can use the Forgot PIN/Passcode feature if you’ve linked your phone to a Google account. After multiple failed attempts to unlock your phone, you’ll see a prompt to reset the password via your Google account credentials.

Method 3: Forcing a Data Reset on Your Android Phone

As a last resort, you can perform a factory reset. This will erase all data on your device but remove the lock screen. Access the recovery mode by pressing a combination of keys (usually volume up/down and the power button) and then selecting Wipe data/Factory reset.

Method 4: Booting Into Safe Mode

Booting into safe mode can bypass third-party lock screens. This method won’t work on the default lock screen but can be helpful if an app sets the lock.

In summary, while the emergency call bypass is a thing of the past, there are still various ways to unlock your phone. There’s always a solution, whether through a sophisticated tool like Wondershare Dr.Fone or built-in Android features.

Conclusion

This guide explored how to bypass the Android lock screen using an emergency call. It mainly focused on outdated Android emergency call bypass and more reliable alternatives. Key takeaways include understanding that while older methods like the emergency call bypass are largely ineffective on modern devices, tools like Wondershare Dr.Fone offer a safe and trusted solution.

Learning to unlock your phone screen ensures you’re never locked out of your device, keeping it within your reach. Consider using Dr. Fone- Screen Unlock for a secure and effective way to bypass phone lock screens. It’s an excellent tool for regaining access to your device without risking your data.

Forgotten The Voicemail Password Of Samsung Galaxy S23+? Try These Fixes

You can always stay in touch with friends, family, and coworkers thanks to voicemail support, which is provided by most cell phones. However, forgetting the voicemail passcode is simple when we must remember many codes to open various devices. Fortunately, there are workarounds you can use to get back into your voicemail mailbox. Keep reading to find out what to do if you forget your voicemail password.

Part 1: 3 Easy Ways To Reset Or Change Your Lost Voicemail Password

1. Contact your carrier

Your carrier can also unlock your voicemail. Get in touch with your carrier and ask for an unlock. For unlocking, your account may need to satisfy certain conditions. The request can take a few days to be processed after you submit it.

Get in touch with your carrier to find out the status of your unlock request.

The actions following should be followed when your carrier certifies that the voicemail has been reset.

• Take your SIM card out.
• Put the new SIM card in. Your gadget will turn on, and you will be able to generate a new voicemail password.

2. Use your code to reset password

To change your Voicemail password, use star codes. Fortunately, this process is quick and easy, and you won’t need to contact customer care to change your password.

Use the star code as follows:

• Type #793# into the dialer app on your phone.
• Press the Call key.
• Await the instructions.

This will change your voicemail password to your phone’s last four digits.

You can also reset your voicemail password, which means that you can generate a new code by resetting it from the settings. Let’s have a look at how you can do this.

• Open My Wireless from your account summary.
• Select the Samsung Galaxy S23+ device you wish to manage by scrolling to My Devices & Add-ons.
• Choosing Manage my device.
• Look under Device choices & settings, choose Reset voicemail password, then adhere to the on-screen instructions.

3. User carriers’ apps or websites

All of the apps/websites below enable you to reset a voicemail password because they are purely user carrier apps or websites that are recommended officially.

1. Vxt

Their voicemail is visually shown via the app.

Your voicemails will be converted to text by Vxt, which will then provide a preview on your lock screen.

Carrier: US Cellular, AT&T, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Verizon, Alltel, Cricket

2. YouMail

YouMail is an Android app that helps you to control visual voicemail. Additionally, it provides some great call-blocking features. With the help of this program, unsolicited calls will never longer ever reach you.

Carrier: US Cellular, AT&T, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Verizon, Alltel.


3. Visual voicemail from AT&T

You can view the caller’s name and phone number before listening to their message, which makes monitoring your voicemail incredibly simple.

Carrier: US Cellular, AT&T, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Verizon, Alltel, Cricket

Part 2: FAQs

1. How To Know My Default Voicemail Password?

Depending on your carrier, the default voicemail password is either the last seven or final four digits of your phone number. Your voicemails should be accessible if you dial the number without the area code. In this way, you can quickly get your default voicemail password.

2. Can I Remove My Voicemail Password?

From your mobile device, dial 123 to see the password for your voicemail. To enable (add) or disable (delete) your voicemail password, choose option 4. To enable or disable the screen password, select option 1. If your password has been deactivated, dialing 123 will not ask you to enter one.

3. How Can I Receive Voicemail Messages From Another Device?

You may access your mailbox on another phone if your phone is out of reach or the battery is dead. Make a call to your phone number from a different one. Tap the pound key (#) on the phone’s dial pad after the prerecorded “Please leave a message” greeting has begun to play. Enter the pin from your voicemail to start receiving messages from another device.

Bonus Tip: Best Tool When You Forgot The Phone Password

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

The Best Tool to Remove the Phone Screen!

• Completely unlinked from the previous Google account, it won’t be traced or blocked by it anymore.
• Remove all Android screen locks (PIN/pattern/fingerprints/face ID) in minutes.
• Almost all Samsung phones and tablets are supported (Currently for Android 6-14).
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,670 people have downloaded it

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) is the ultimate solution when you are sort of a person who always forgets passwords and does not even have any technical knowledge. We always recommend you use easy and safe tools; Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) is one of them. Here’s how you can use this tool when you forget the phone password and want to recover it on your own.

Step 1: Connect your phone

Installing Dr.Fone on your computer is the first step. From the list of available tools, select “Screen Unlock” from the drop-down menu.

When connecting your locked phone to the PC you wish to save the wallpapers after unlocking it, you should think about utilizing a USB cord. You must select the “Unlock Android Screen” option on the program.

Step 2. Select Unlock Android Screen

In this interface of Dr.Fone, please select “Unlock Android Screen” to keep your unlock process, or your phone cannot be unlocked as you wish.

Step 3. Select device model

Besides a part of Samsung and LG models, “100% Remove Screen Lock” includes most Android phone brands. Please choose your phone brand, and don’t make it wrong!

Here is the brand list; you can check it and find your phone brand.

Step 4. Enter into Recovery Mode

Then follow the instructions on the program to get the Android phone into Recovery Mode. Here we take 3 different models of Samsung phones as examples.

Note: Different brands have different steps to enter the Recovery Mode.

Go to the Recovery Mode on Samsung phone with Bixby

Go to the Recovery Mode on Samsung phone without Bixby

Go to Recovery Mode on Samsung phone with Home Button

Step 5. Instructions to Wipe Cache Partition

Good! You’re now in the final step, be careful to choose the correct options so that the whole process will be perfectly over.

Now no pattern or password is on your phone screen to bother you!

This is how you can easily get rid of phone lock issues.

The Bottom Line

The voicemail function on your mobile device is a crucial tool for improving your interpersonal relationships. You must always have access to it because of this. You may use your iPhone or Samsung smartphone to receive a temporary code even if you forget your password. Alternatively, you can follow instructions for resetting your passcode on the carrier’s app or website.

Have you ever experienced voicemail lockout? Which technique did you employ to fix the issue? Did you know how to reset voicemail password on Android? Comment below with your thoughts and let us know.