Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Google Pixel 8 Pro 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 Google Pixel 8 Pro 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 Google Pixel 8 Pro 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 Change Lock Screen Wallpaper on Google Pixel 8 Pro

Every smartphone user wants their lock screen wallpapers to be the finest quality. Since the Google Pixel 8 Pro device comes with a generic lock screen wallpaper on itself, changing it is necessary. Regardless of your Android device, the need to change the lock screen wallpaper on Android is significant. If so, the article will provide two diverse techniques familiar to any Android device.

Along with the basic methods, the article will redirect its discussion to changing the lock screen wallpaper for different brands. Find more about how to change the lock screen wallpaper on Android with the available methods and techniques to bring aesthetics to your device.

Part 1: How To Change Lock Screen Picture on Android Phone With 2 Common Methods

Every Android smartphone has its interface to follow while changing the lock screen wallpaper or screen saver of the Google Pixel 8 Pro device. However, before we dive into the Google Pixel 8 Pro device-specific details, let’s dissect the two common methods to change the lock screen wallpaper on Android:

Method 1: Pressing Home Screen Method

The first thing to try for changing the lock screen wallpaper includes the long press technique. This technique is available for almost all Android devices, a basic approach to changing lock screen wallpapers. To know how it is done, follow the steps provided below:

Step 1: As you unlock your Android smartphone, press the clear region until the home-screen options appear on the front.

Step 2: Select the “Wallpaper” option in the available buttons to lead to another window showing different wallpapers.

Step 3: Out of all the wallpapers, select any of them and tap on the “Apply” button to set it as your lock screen wallpaper.

Method 2: Using Your Gallery

You can also set your favorite picture as the Android lock screen wallpaper from the settings provided in your gallery. To know how you can utilize your device’s Gallery, look into the steps provided next:

Step 1: Access the menu of your Android device and locate the “Gallery” app in the available options. Continue to locate your respective photo in the “Albums.”

Image name: lock-screen-wallpaper-on-android-3.jpg

Image alt: access the gallery

Step 2: Choose and open the image on the screen, and continue to select the “Three-Dotted” icon on the bottom-right of the screen.

Step 3: On selecting the option of “Set as wallpaper,” you will apply the particular image from the Gallery as your lock screen wallpaper.

Part 2: How to Change Lock Screen Wallpaper on Different Brands of Android Phones

The provided methods in the above part are comprehensive in changing the lock screen wallpaper of any Android smartphone. This, however, is not the same and is true for every Android device in the market. Since the difference in operation brings a clash for many users, the need for an idea for different smartphone brands is essential.

For this part, we will bring a guide explaining how to change the lock screen wallpaper on Android of different brands:

For Samsung Users

Step 1: On unlocking your Samsung, hold the empty space on your home screen to open a set of options. Select “Wallpapers” from the available list and continue to the next screen.

Step 2: Choose the option of “My wallpapers” or “Gallery” from the available list and select the wallpaper of your choice. As you select one, you will have to set it as your “Home screen,” “Lock screen,” or wallpaper for both screens.

Step 3: Once you observe the image on the preview window, tap on the button on the bottom to set it as your lock screen wallpaper.

Step 1: As you access the home screen of your Google Pixel, continue to hold the space. This will open a list of options where you must tap on “Wallpaper & style.” Continue to select the “Change wallpaper” option to bring new colors to your Google Pixel.

Step 2: On the next screen, select any particular category you want to set the lock screen wallpaper. For instance, if you selected “My photos,” choose your image and preview it on the following screen.

Step 3: To proceed, specify where you wish to set it as your wallpaper. As the options appear on the front, select the “Lock screen” option and continue to set your wallpaper.

For Motorola Users

Step 1: Lead into the “Settings” of your Motorola device and look for the “Wallpaper & style” option in the list.

Step 2: Select any options appearing on the next screen that defines the location from where you will add the new wallpaper. Selecting a particular wallpaper from the available options leads to the “Preview” screen.

Step 3: Continue to select the “Lock Screen” option on the preview screen and tap on the “Tick” icon at the bottom. To confirm, tap “Lock screen” to change the wallpaper on the lock screen of your Motorola.

Step 1: Launch the “Settings” application on your OnePlus smartphone and continue to the “Personalizations” option.

Step 2: On the next screen, continue to the “Wallpapers” section and go through the available media to select a new wallpaper.

Step 3: As you select a particular wallpaper and continue to the preview screen, select the “Apply” button and proceed to choose “Lock Screen” from the pop-up menu.

Part 3: Top 10 Download Sites About Cool Screen Wallpaper on Android

What if you feel that you do not have the coolest screen wallpaper that you can change on your Android device? Before changing your Android lock screen wallpaper on your device, find a unique option that can be easily replaced. Instead of limiting yourselves to the options available on the Google Pixel 8 Pro device, you can consider moving to different download sites for downloading the coolest lock screen wallpaper:

1. Zedge

Zedge is one of the most premium websites for accessing wallpapers for Android devices. With accessibility to content from exclusive artists, Zedge presents the best personalization options to its users. For effective wallpaper creation, you can add your creativity to bring in the best results for your device.

2. Interfacelift

For exclusive access to free wallpapers of multiple categories, Interfacelift provides some impressive and high-quality results. This intuitive wallpaper site provides some captivating options. Along with that, it asserts a special force on photographs of landscapes, which makes it a great site.

3. Unsplash

Known for keeping royalty-free, high-quality content, Unsplash can be a great Android wallpaper site. Download your favorite wallpapers that will perfectly suit your Android device. Along with its smooth interface, Unsplash offers diversity with its dedicated Unsplash+ plan.

4. Mobile9

For variety, you can always go for Mobile9. This unique, expressive, and productive wallpaper site provides the best Android wallpapers. Following this, it offers multiple diversity of content, including ringtones and books. However, to get your hands on the finest quality wallpaper, do consider trying the site.

5. Dribbble

If you seek the best design for your Android lock screen, Dribbble provides the finest quality. Out of the 10,000+ designs, you can find your choice. Along with that, the site service also presents the wallpapers in dedicated categories. Searching for the right Android lock screen wallpaper gets easy in such an environment.

6. Wallpapers.com

For a service that provides dedicated Android lock screen wallpapers, Wallpapers.com holds a good position. With the finest wallpapers to use on the Android device, you can also customize the available wallpapers. Dedicated categories make it easy for users to select their favorite wallpaper from the 1000+ options.

7. Pexels

There are very few websites that offer the finest quality wallpapers for free. Pexels, being one of them, displays a great interface for users with sub-categorization. With descriptions for every wallpaper, you can select the best one for your device. Find a categorized section of more than 70,000 wallpapers on this platform.

8. Pixabay

Who won’t have heard of Pixabay as a haven for lock screen wallpapers? This platform provides a different perspective on wallpaper search. To find the best option, you can diversify your search according to orientation, size, and color. This makes your search much easier and swift for changing the Android lock screen.

9. 500px

To access the best wallpapers in the world, 500px is a good platform to keep in mind. While it helps a wide community fulfill their tasks, it can be a purposeful option. For diverse operability in the site, users can also sell their work into a global marketplace.

10. Wallpaperswide

From desktop to Android wallpapers, Wallpaperswide holds a diverse set of options. This platform is designed to provide a diversity of categories to its users. With a simple interface, it is a great option for gathering content.

Bonus Part: How To Unlock Android Screen if Forgotten the Password

Although you have learned how to change the lock screen wallpaper on Android, multiple complications can arise. One such problem that can occur on your device involves it getting locked. If the Google Pixel 8 Pro device gets locked, you cannot use it. For an Android whose password is locked, you will require a platform to amend the problem.

Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (Android) provides a complete platform to unlock the Android device. This is the right place to go if you seek to remove such locks from your device within minutes. With the option of bypassing any screen lock, it can protect your device’s data.

Such options make it the finest platform to resolve issues with the Android device. To know how one can unlock their Android device with Dr.Fone, look through the provided steps:

Step 1: Open Screen Unlock Tool

You need to download and launch Dr.Fone on your computer and continue to the “Screen Unlock” tool. On accessing the tool, connect your Android device with a cable.

Step 2: Start Unlocking the Android

Proceed to select the “Unlock Android Screen/FRP” option and continue into the “Unlock Android Screen” option.

Step 3: Select Mode and Device Details

If you intend not to lose data, continue to the “Remove without data loss” option. You will have to select the details of the connected Android device.

Step 4: Access Download Mode

Put your Android device in Download Mode by powering it off. Continue to press the “Volume Down,” “Home,” and “Power” buttons simultaneously. After a few seconds, press the “Volume Up” button to enter the Download Mode.

Step 5: Unlock Android Successfully

The package starts downloading as the Google Pixel 8 Pro device gets into Download Mode. It will take a while until it completes. Once the download process gets completed, press the “Remove Now” button to remove the Android screen lock.

Image name: lock-screen-wallpaper-on-android-32.jpg

Image link: https://images.wondershare.com/drfone/guide/android-unlock-07.png

Image alt: start removing screen lock

Conclusion

The details provided are comprehensive in helping you change the lockscreen wallpaper on Android. While learning unique ways, along with dedicated techniques for smartphones, we are sure that you are clear about how to change lock screen picture on Android phone.Why not take a try now? This article has also introduced some of the best sites to download Android wallpapers. For effective results and to save your locked device from getting useless, use Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock.

How to Reset a Locked Google Pixel 8 Pro Phone

There might be some moment when you have accidentally locked your phone and have no way to recover the phone’s functionality without resetting. This moment is very much irritating to any of you. If your phone is locked, and you can’t run your phone due to forgetting the password, you don’t have to be dumbfounded. There are some ways by which you can recover your phone to its previous state. In this article, we will show you how to reset a locked phone.

Part 1: How to Hard Reset Locked Google Pixel 8 Pro Phone

The most common way of resetting an Android phone screen lock is by hard reset. You can hard reset your Android phone to unlock it. Remember, hard reset will erase all the data stored on your phone. So hard reset will unlock your phone, but you will not get your stored data back on it. So if you have no recent backup for your phone data, beware of that before going for a hard reset.

Here you can learn how to reset a locked phone from different brands, as different models or brands have unique methods of resetting.

1. How to reset a locked HTC phone?

Now we will show you how to unlock HTC phone by hard reset.

You will have to press and hold the volume down button along with the power button. Keep holding until you see Android images. Then release the buttons and then follow the volume down button to go for factory reset, afterward select the power button.

2. How to reset a Samsung phone that is locked?

Press and hold the volume up key, along with the power button and home key. You will see the Samsung logo onscreen. Go down to wipe data/factory reset by holding the volume down key. Now choose Yes. You could delete all the data on your phone by tapping on the volume down key. Your phone will start rebooting.

3. How to reset an LG phone that is locked?

To unlock your LG Android phone, you will have to press and hold the volume key and the power or lock key. You have to release the Lock or power key when you see the LG logo on the screen of your phone. Just after that, press and hold the power or lock key again. You can release all the buttons once you see a factory hard reset on the screen.

4. How to reset a locked Sony phone?

You have to confirm that your phone is switched off. Press and hold three keys altogether. The keys are Volume Up, Power, and Home keys. You have to release the buttons once you see the logo on the screen. Now follow volume down to scroll down. Power or Home key is used for selection. Choose factory reset or wipe data.

5. How to reset a locked Motorola phone?

Firstly, switch off your phone. Then press and hold the power key, home key, and volume up key. After a while, you will see the logo on the screen, just then release all the buttons. For scrolling, you can use the volume down key, and for selecting, you can use either home or power key. Now select factory reset or wipe data.

Whatever your model or brand is, keep in mind that hard reset will delete all your valuable data from your phone! So if you want to unlock your locked phone without losing data from it, then follow the next part.

Part 2: Reset Android Phone Screen Lock Without Password

In this part, we will discuss Wondershare Dr.Fone for unlocking your locked Android device. Here are some of the features of this great software -

Click here

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Remove Android lock screen in 5 minutes

• Pattern, PIN, password, fingerprints & face screen lock can all be unlocked.
• Bypass Android FRP lock without a PIN or Google account.
• Unlock mainstream Android brands like Samsung, Huawei, LG, Xiaomi, etc.
• No tech knowledge required. Everyone can handle it.

3981454 people have downloaded it

Here is the step-by-step procedures for unlocking your Android phone - other Android phones can also be unlocked with this tool

Step 1. Go for “Screen Unlock”

The first thing that you will have to do is open Dr.Fone on your PC and then click on Screen Unlock that allows your device to remove the password from any of the 4 types of lock screens (PIN, Password, Pattern, and Fingerprints).

Step 2. Select the Google Pixel 8 Pro device from the list.

Step 3. Go for Specific Mode

Step 4. Remove Lock Screen without Password

Once the previous step is complete, you will see the lock screen removal process started. After completing the lock screen removal process, you could enter into your phone without needing any password.

safe & secure

Conclusion

Forgetting your password is a perplexing situation though you have the solution to unlock your Android phone, as hard reset does not give your data back, you should rely on the software called Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) for smooth operation. So have the software and cheer up. I hope you will enjoy and forget about the hassle when you lost your password.

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