Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Honor X9a 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 Honor X9a 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.

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Download the latest version of Dr.Fone from the Wondershare website and launch the app.

Step 1: Click Android under Toolbox > Screen Unlock.

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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.

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All data on the Honor X9a 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 Remove Forgotten PIN Of Your Honor X9a

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

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

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

The Importance of the Android Lock System

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

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

This is an important issue that needs to be resolved right away. Therefore, some methods can assist you in getting out of it, one of which is doing a factory reset. They believe this is the most effective and secure way; thus, many try it. What about the information you have on the Honor X9a device, though? What should you do next because a factory reset will destroy your data?

Methods to Recover Forgotten Password or PIN

1. Google Smart Lock

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

2. Google Find My Device

As you are likely aware, every Android device is connected to a Google account. As a result, if you’d like, you may also use it to unlock Android. You’ll need to know your Google account login information for this. When you’re ready, use these instructions to find out how to unlock a phone password.

1. Login using your Google credentials by going to the official Google Find My Device website.
2. You will see the gadgets connected to your Google account as you enter the interface and a map of where they are.
3. To wipe the Honor X9a device, click the ERASE DEVICE option on the left side panel. You will then be required for your password.
4. Once more, select “Erase.” This will reset the Honor X9a device and get rid of the forgot pattern lock.

3. Recovery Mode

Users of Android smartphones and tablets can troubleshoot various issues with their devices using a feature known as Android Recovery Mode. If you discover that your device is functioning strangely, it might be helpful. Recovery Mode Android technically refers to a unique bootable partition with a recovery application installed inside it.

However, users can also use it to reset the android password if it is forgotten. The instructions for resetting android devices through recovery mode differ for every android device.

4. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock

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

Step 1. Select Unlock Android Screen

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

Step 2. Select device model

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

(Enter Recovery Mode via the Samsung phone with Bixby)

(Enter Recovery Mode via the Samsung phone without Bixby)

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

Step 3. Instructions to Wipe Cache Partition

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

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

FAQs

1. Will Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock Do Harm To My Honor X9a?

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

2. How To Keep My Data Safe?

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

Conclusion

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

How To Unlock Honor X9a Phone Without Password?

Has your Android smartphone been locked, and are you having trouble unlocking it now because you have forgotten phone password? Looking for methods to remove the password from your Android phone without doing a factory reset?

If the answer is “YES,” you’ve come to the correct spot.

Many people, including you, have had similar issues and wish to know how to unlock an Android phone without a password.

As a result, we have created some of the greatest guidelines or, you might say, top ways that may assist you in unlocking Android phones today, simply for you and countless other Android users.

Part 1: Unlock Your Locked Screen Without Password By 6 Efficient Ways

1. By your Google account

You can use your Google Account to unlock the Android phone password if, after several tries, you are still unable to do so without doing a factory reset.

You need to log into the Google account that is associated with the Honor X9a device, then do the following:

• The unlock pattern may only be used five times before a notification telling you to try again in 30 seconds appears.
• “Forgot pattern” will show up at the bottom of the screen.

• You must enter the Gmail account that is associated with the Honor X9a device here before selecting “Next.”

• That’s it; from this point forward, you may enter any new PIN or pattern that you can recall to unlock your smartphone.

2. Google Find My Device

Using your Google account is a superb method for finding the Honor X9a device when lost or stolen.

In addition, it may be used to lock or ring your smartphone. You may have noticed that there are three options available when using this feature: “Ring,” “Lock,” and “Erase.”

To bypass the Android lock screen, all you need to do is sign into the Honor X9a device’s associated Google account and then follow these steps:

• On any Android device or a computer, go to <www.google.com/android/find> and sign in using your Google account. Choose the Android smartphone you wish to unlock after that.
• After choosing the Honor X9a device, select one of the three options, “lock,” from the list.
• There will be a new pop-up window that you can use to change the Honor X9a device password. Additionally, you can choose to add a phone number or recovery email.
• Confirm it immediately, then input the password you just established on your locked device.

Many Samsung customers have this issue, which prevents them from using their devices. Try using the “Find My Mobile” feature on your mobile if you wish to unlock it if you’re a Samsung user. It would be helpful if you had a Samsung or Android model account.

After that, use Find My Device to unlock your Android phone without losing any data by following the instructions below:

• Sign in with your Samsung account at findmymobile.samsung.com.
• Choose “Lock my screen” from the menu on the left, type a new PIN in the box given, and then click “LOCK.”

Your smartphone will be unlocked, and the password will be changed to the new one after a brief delay.

3. Use ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

Without a factory reset, Android phone passwords may also be unlocked using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• You must first download ADB to your computer. Visit the Android developer’s website at https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb.html to do this.
• Launch the installer after that to begin downloading crucial software for your machine.

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• Here, you must use a USB cable to connect your Honor X9a to the computer
• This will activate the developer option on your smartphone if you navigate to Settings > About Phone > and choose the “Build Number” option seven times.
• After that, activate USB debugging by going to Settings > Developer Options.

• Launch the command prompt in the ADB installation directory after your device is connected to the system.
• Press enter after typing “ADB shell rm /data/system/gesture.key” into the command line.

• Finally, just restart your smartphone and use it as normal.

4. Hard reset (data loss)

Each brand has a unique method for hard resetting a locked Android device. The methods to factory reset locked Android devices from Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, and Huawei are compiled here.

When your phone is locked, you may access the recovery menu of your phone using its physical keys and choose to hard reset the Honor X9a device. Here’s how to restore a locked phone to factory settings.

• Use the buttons to see the recovery menu.
• Press and hold the Volume Up and Side buttons simultaneously until you see the brand logo on the screen for Android devices without a Power/Bixby/Home button.
• Press and hold the Volume Up, Bixby, and Power buttons all at once if your smartphone has a Power button. Releasing them before a logo arises is advised.
• Use the Volume Down key to highlight Wipe data/factory reset when the Android system recovery option displays, then hit the Power/Bixby key to choose it.
• Allow a few seconds for the factory reset procedure to finish after selecting Yes, or Factory data reset. The phone will reboot once you pick the Reboot system. Now you may configure it as if it were a brand-new gadget.

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5. Unlock from Forgot Pattern (android 4.4 or lower)

This is another choice that might assist you in unlocking your phone without a factory reset or password. You may have observed that when pattern lock was enabled on your device, a security PIN question was also prompted at that time.

Therefore, you have the choice to Backup PIN, which might assist you in unlocking your smartphone, if you are unable to unlock it. To do it, take the following actions:

• Click on Android pattern lock.
• You’ll see a notification telling you to try again in 30 seconds after failing many times.
• The “Backup PIN” option will be there; choose it.
• Put the backup PIN and OK here.
• At last, you may unlock your cellphone by entering the backup PIN.

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6. Boot into safe mode

Here’s how you can boot into safe mode.

• Hit the power button on your phone.
• Press and hold the volume down button on your phone as the animation begins. Hold it down until the animation is finished and your phone enters safe mode.
• “Safe mode” will be shown at the bottom of your screen.
• Out of safe mode
• Switch off your phone.
• Press the Power button on your phone for around 30 seconds, or until the Honor X9a device restarts.
• You will see that after entering and booting into the safe mode, the lock option will not be visible.
• Then you will also see the option to turn off boot.
• You can get rid of the locked phone by proceeding with that option.

Part 2: Easy Tool To Unlock Android Phone Without Password

If you forget the lock code, you can simply unlock your Android phone using Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Have you encountered the same situation? Do not fret. You may use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to unlock the screen lock on Android smartphones. It enables you to erase an Android phone’s password, PIN, pattern, and fingerprint.

Let’s learn how to safely remove the Android lock screen.

Step 1: Connect your phone

Open Dr.Fone on your PC, then select “Screen Unlock” from the list of tools.

The Dr.Fone functionality is still usable with the old UI of the Dr.Fone Mac version, but we will update it as soon as we can.

Connect your Android phone to the PC via a USB cable. then click the “Unlock Android Screen” button on the software.

Step 2. Choose a device model

Nearly all Android devices feature locked displays, including Android. Because the recovery kits for different phone models vary, it’s important to pick the correct device brand to unlock the lock. Every model of supporting hardware is included in the list.

Step 3. Switch to download mode

If you then adhere to the instructions on the software, the phone will enter Download Mode.

• Offset your phone.
• Hold down the Power, Home, and Volume Down keys all at once.
• Use the Volume Up button to start Download Mode.
• Remove the Android lock screen starting now..

Step 4. Download a package for recovery

The recovery package will begin downloading once you set your device in download mode. Wait only till it is completed.

Step 5: Unlock Android without erasing data

After the recovery package download is finished, click “Remove Now.” This operation won’t harm any data on your Android device.

When everything is done, you won’t need to enter a password to access your Android smartphone, allowing you to see all of your data without any limitations.

Bonus Tips: How To Keep Our Data Safe?

Dr.Fone - Phone Backup is an excellent solution to keeping data safe and secure and baking it up before resetting your device, even if you have forgotten your password. You may quickly and conveniently back up practically all forms of Android phone data with Dr.Fone - Phone Backup (Android). Additionally, you may examine and export only certain types of data.

Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone - Phone Backup to keep data safe.

Step 1: Connect your Android phone to your PC.

Click here

Open Dr.Fone on your PC, then select "Phone Backup" from the menu.

Next, join your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable. The phone must be in USB debugging mode, please. You will be prompted to approve USB Debugging in a pop-up window on the Android phone if your version of Android is higher. Press the OK button if you would.

Click Backup to start backing up the data on your Android device.

If you have previously used this programme to back up your device, you may review your backup history by clicking on “View backup history.”

Step 2: Choose which file types to backup.

Once the Android phone is connected, select the file types you want to backup. Dr. Fone has previously examined all the file types for you. After that, click Backup to start the backup process.

It will cost some time for the backup. Do not disconnect your Android phone from the computer, use it, or delete any data while making a backup.

When the backup is complete, you may click the View the backup button to see what’s in the backup file.

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The Bottom Line

It would be best if you had been able to answer the question, “How to unlock an Android phone without password,” using the techniques we have demonstrated here. The most effective way for resetting an Android phone is Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock for Android. You may quickly reset a locked Android phone without a password with only a few clicks.