Still Using Pattern Locks with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5? 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 So, why have these easy pattern locks become outdated, and why do people still continue to use them?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.

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 Z Fold 5 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 Z Fold 5 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 Z Fold 5 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.

Unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phone Password Without Factory Reset: Full Guide Here

In today’s fast-paced digital age, our smartphones are more than just communication devices; they are repositories of our personal and professional lives. However, there comes a time when we find ourselves locked out of our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones , desperately trying to remember a password or PIN that seems to have slipped our minds. The thought of a factory reset, which wipes our valuable data clean, can be daunting.

But fear not! This comprehensive guide is here to rescue you from the perils of forgotten passwords without factory reset. So, if you’re in a bind and need to regain access to your device, read on for a full guide to know how to unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone password without factory reset!

Method 1: Unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phones Running Older Android OS (4.4 Or Below) With Google Security Questions

Up until Android version 4.4, you could lock your phone screen with a pattern. Google allowed you to unlock the phone by answering security questions in case you forgot the pattern. Since these may also be easily guessed by people who are in possession of your device illegally, Google deprecated this method after Android 4.4. However, the phones running Android 4.4 or lower are still allowed to be unlocked using this method. So, if you have an old Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with Android 4.4 or earlier, here is how to unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone password without factory reset:

Step 1: You may already have entered the incorrect pattern a few times. If so, simply tap the Forgot Pattern to start the process of unlocking your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone screen. Else, deliberately enter incorrect pattern a few times till you see the Forgot Pattern option:

Step 2: Next, choose the option to reset the pattern by answering your Google credentials.

Step 3: Sign into the Google account that matches with the Google account on the phone.

Step 4: Lastly, create a new pattern to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone.

Side Tip

Now that you have unlocked your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone with Google security questions, we have a tip for you. For the safety and security of your data on your phone, it might be time to trade in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device for a newer phone with the latest Android OS. Between Android 4.4 and the Android 12 prevalent today, there have been massive security updates and code improvements that you can benefit from. It makes sense given that our phones hold a substantially large part of our personal and professional lives these days. And we are not even talking about features that you may or may not need - we are talking only from a data security point of view. Of course, you will also benefit from the massive performance improvements that have taken place thanks to hardware and software improvements over the years.

Method 2: Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phone Using Wondershare Dr.Fone (Easy & Fast)

Now, since the previous method of unlocking your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone was deprecated after Android 4.4, what about the phones running newer versions? How to unlock a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone with a newer Android version? There are still a few methods that are available to you, but the best way to unlock a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone is to use this nifty little app called Wondershare Dr.Fone. And you will discover that there is nothing little about this app!

Dr.Fone is a collection of several modules unified in a single interface. Each of these modules is designed meticulously to serve a purpose for your device, such as unlocking your phone, repairing your phone, erasing data from your phone or wiping the phone securely, etc. With this approach, users are never encumbered with options. Instead, they can focus on every task in the simplest, easiest manner without worrying about doing something untoward because they could not understand the software. Dr.Fone is fast, intuitive and easy to use.

Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone on your computer. Select the Screen Unlock module.

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

Step 3: Select the first option – 100% Remove Screen Lock as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 devices cannot be unlocked without data loss.

Step 4: Choose your phone brand carefully – Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in this case.

Step 5: Complete the instructions to download the software to your phone.

Step 6: The software will start downloading, and if everything went smoothly you will see a screen to click Remove Now.

Step 7: When all is done, you will see the following:

Your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone screen is now unlocked. Click the button below to unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone password without factory reset now!

Method 3: Factory Reset Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phones (Wipes User Data)

There is a standard factory reset built into every Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone to allow users to erase the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device and start over fully. This option wipes all user data and resets the phone to how you received it in the box. Naturally, this is not a preferred way, as it requires the phone to be set up all over again and that takes time. Also, all data will need to be backed up beforehand in order to restore it again. Overall, this method consumes a lot of time.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Backup & Reset.

Step 2: Tap Factory Reset > Reset Phone.

Step 3: Tap Erase Everything.

Method 4: Use Google Find My Device To Unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phones (Wipes User Data)

Google Find My Device is an online service by Google that is used to locate and track your Android devices. It works like how Apple’s Find My works for its range of hardware. Using Find My Device, you can play a sound on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device to locate it in the house if you have misplaced it, lock the phone in case it is lost, and wipe the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device remotely.

Step 1: Go to https://accounts.google.com .

Step 2: Log in and go to Security > Your Devices:

Step 3: Click Find A Lost Device.

Step 4: Select the Android device you want to wipe carefully if you have a few:

Step 5: Click Erase Device and confirm.

Step 6: After the erasure, your device will need to be set up all over again.

Method 5: Request Service Provider To Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Phone

If your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone is tied to a service contract and you want to unlock your device to use it with other service providers, this method is for you. You can request your service provider to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone provided their conditions are met. Usually, they will be happy to oblige if there are no dues and the service period is over.

Bonus Tip: If You Want To Disable Screen Lock

Sometimes, you may not need to secure your device at all. For example, if you have an old device that you want to use as a media player in your car or to give to children to play games, you may not want to password-protect the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device. This is how to disable screen lock on Android:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Security > Screen Lock.

Step 2: Enter the PIN or pattern.

Step 3: Choose None and confirm.

Conclusion

There are a handful of methods you can use to unlock a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone in case you forget the password or PIN or pattern. Especially for the old pattern-based screen locks, it is easy to unlock the phone if you know the answers to the security questions in your Google account. However, to unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone screen without password on newer Android versions, you need technical knowledge, or you can use third-party software such as Wondershare Dr.Fone. Using Dr.Fone Screen Unlock, you can unlock your phone quickly with no technical mumbo jumbo to confuse you. All you will get is a software that guides you every step of the way so you can unlock Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 phone easily.

Unlocking the Power of Smart Lock: A Beginner’s Guide for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Users

Google constantly comes up with features to simplify the way users interact and complete tasks on the Android platform. One of the most important features that techies loved to debate about was the Smart Lock Android, a secure password manager functioning in sync with a Google account on the Android phone.

Part 1: What is Android Smart Lock?

Android Lollipop added a feature called Smart Lock, and the feature was devised as a smart tool to prevent the Android phone from locking once it was initially unlocked. In other words, the feature overrides an Android phone’s Lock Screen feature, thereby saving users the need to enter passwords every time the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device locks.

If you’re at home, it’s likely your android phone is locked out if you haven’t accessed at for some time. Smart Locks solves the problem in many ways. It allows you to allocate trusted places. Once you within range of the trusted places, your phone won’t lock. Trusted devices come next. Smart Lock is assigned to Bluetooth and Android NFC unlock devices.

Finally, trusted face unlocking is the ultimate face recognition system that unlocks your Android device as soon as you look at it across the front-facing camera. A face unlock first introduced with Android Jelly Bean and has been significantly improved in later versions.

Turning On Smart Lock

The feature is enabled by first accessing settings. For example, in a Samsung Galaxy S6:

Tap on Settings, which is the gear symbol.

• • Click on Personal and tap on Security.
• • Go to Advanced and tap on Trust agents and make sure Smart Lock is turned on.

• • Under Screen Security tap Smart Lock.
• • Here, you need to enter your Screen Lock. If you haven’t done so, set up a password and PIN by following the on-screen prompts. The screen Lock is needed every time you have to change the Smart Lock settings.

Within Smart Lock, there are three options for setting the system. You can set up trusted devices, trusted face, and trusted places individually, combining two or all three at the same time. You can choose just one trusted face, but you have the option to set up as many trusted devices and trusted places as needed.

Part 2: Turn On Smart Lock For Android with Trusted Devices

You can decide on a trusted device to be paired with Smart Lock Android.

For example, you can set up a Smart Lock for Bluetooth in your Android Bluetooth settings. It can also be done for Android NFC unlock devices. Examples include the Bluetooth system in your car, NFC unlocks, android sticker on the car’s phone dock, or Bluetooth in your watch.

• • Go to Settings.
• • Tap on Security and then Smart Lock.
• • Existing paired options are listed under Trusted Devices.
• • Initially, trusted devices will show None.

Tap on Add Trusted Devices.

The next screen is the Choose Device Type.

Since you have already paired Bluetooth, it will ask you to choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device from the list.

• • As an example, let’s take the case of LG HBS800. It may show Not connected until you add it.
• • It will show up under Trusted devices in the Smart Lock menu.
• • When you turn the added device on, Smart Lock now unlocks the Android mobile.

Similarly, other Bluetooth and NFC unlock android supported gadgets can be added under the list of Trusted Devices.

Part 3: Turn On Smart Lock For Android With Trusted Locations

You can also add locations or addresses to Smart Lock Trusted Locations, and the phone unlocks automatically as soon as you arrive at the desired location. For example, you can set up your home or work address under Trusted Locations.

Check current settings first.

On a new Android phone, visit Settings>Personal.

Then Lock Screen and Security.

Then Secure Lock Settings.

Tap Smart Lock.

Tap on Trusted Places.

Tap on Add Trusted Places

• • Initiate the Google Maps app on the Android phone. Make sure the Internet and GPS are on.
• • Pick a place.

• • Click on Settings.
• • Click on Edit home or work. You can now add or edit the required addresses.
• • As an example, click on the Enter work address.
• • You now have the option to type in the address or use the address listed on Google Maps as the required work address.

• • A successful addition is listed and can be edited under the Edit work address.
• • Close the Google Maps app.
• • The work address is automatically propagated and configured with Smart Lock settings.
• • Go back to Settings> Security> Smart Lock> Trusted Places.
• • The work address you added is now listed under Work.

• • However, it is not yet configured as a Smart Lock option. Tap the location once, and it is enabled.
• • The switch along the address to the right turns blue, indicating it is enabled.
• • The work address is now listed under Trusted places for Work.

• • The phone is now configured for the work address and will unlock whenever you are at the location.
• • Since it works on Google Maps, the feature works through an Internet connection.

Part 4: Turn On Smart Lock For Android With Trusted Face

The feature recognizes your face and then unlocks the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device. Once you set up the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device to recognize your face as a trusted face, it will unlock the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device as soon as it recognizes you.


PRECAUTION:  At best, this can be the first level of security, as one who resembles you to some extent can unlock the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device. Photographs are not stored in the system. The device does hold necessary data to recognize your face, and the security level is determined by how good the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device is configured. The data is not accessed by any app or loaded onto a Google server for backup.

Setting Up Trusted Face

• • Go to Smart Lock and tap Trusted Face.
• • Tap on Setup. Follow on-screen instructions.

The device begins to gather data about your face. The trusted face icon appears. As a backup, in case Smart Lock does not recognize your face, use the manual system by applying the PIN or password to unlock the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 device.

In case Trusted Face is not required, tap on reset Trusted Face appearing under the Trusted Face menu. Tap on Reset to reset the option.

How To Improve Facial Recognition In Your Bluetooth and Android NFC Unlock Devices

• • If you feel facial recognition is not up to the mark, go to Smart Lock and tap on a Trusted face.
• • Tap on Improve face matching.
• • Tap on Next and follow instructions on the screen to complete the task.

Smart Lock Android is a great feature and is only going to improve on time. With added security measures being introduced by Google for Bluetooth and NFC unlock android devices, including configuration to Google maps and Gmail, the feature may be one of the most important features to overcome constant blocking of devices even in protected places.

Video on How to Remove Android Lock Screen Without Data Loss