Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Tecno Spark 20 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 Tecno Spark 20 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 Tecno Spark 20 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.

Lock Your Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Phone in Style: The Top 5 Gesture Lock Screen Apps

Ever wondered, if there was an easier and more interesting way to unlock and open your devices and apps without boring PINs/Passwords that you tend to forget? Worry not, gestures are here! Imagine the joy when you can unlock your phone by just waving your hand over it, or instead of getting access through confusing patterns or lengthy PINs, you can just get in by drawing an alphabet! So let’s go through some gesture lock screen apps for Android phones.

Gestures in Android

Gestures have become an iconic piece of the entire mobile operating system and experience, giving all Android users the joy of using our gestures for functions in our mobile phones We will be discussing 5 gesture lock screen apps, but let us first talk about the existence of gestures in Android.

• • Two-finger swipe down
• • Press and hold on notifications
• • Triple-tap to zoom in
• • Tap and hold on menus
• • Double-tap to wake
• • Press and hold Power Off Button

These gestures gave Android developers an idea of creating apps, to make use of new gestures for not only in-phone functionality but also for the most basic smartphone function of locking and unlocking.

Why do we need these gesture apps? –Would you not want to control your phone’s notification bar by just waving your hand over the screen, when it’s not reachable? These apps are not only fun but also useful and efficient. So, now let us discuss 5 Android gesture lock screen apps.

1) Gesture Lock Screen

A top-rated app in the Google Play Store, for gestures, the Gesture Lock Screen is a wonderful gesture app that locks and unlocks Android lock screens. Rated 4/5 stars in the Google Play Store, this app was developed by Q Locker.

Gesture Lock Screen is an all-in-one gesture app that locks the screen as well as provides you with other good features. The app allows you to draw anything or gesture to unlock your phone; you can draw letter, signatures, various shapes, whatever you want to unlock your device! This app gives you the convenience to unlock your phone through fingerprints, gestures, and recover passwords as well.  

• Gesture – you can easily add/change gestures, it can be a single or a multiple stroke gesture as well. For maximum accuracy, this app features gesture sensitivity. If you want a unique lock screen, this app is ideal!

• Customization – This app is highly customizable, so let your creative tech ideas fly! App notifications are available for Android 4.3 and above. Unread notifications will appear on the lock screen, and you can easily hide any confidential notifications.

With over 40,000 5/5 ratings and 5,00,000-10,00,000 installs, this app proves to be the top gesture app for locking your phone.

Download this app from here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=qlocker.gesture&hl=en

2) Magic Unlock

Magic Unlock app, developed by zonep.ro, is designed with the main aim of responding to hand movement. The future is here!The app detects the movements of your hand, preferably horizontal or vertical, through the phone’s proximity sensor and then opts to unlock the screen. Technology, I tell you!

Firstly, the lock screen security needs to be turned off. You can do this by going to Settings on your phone, then click on Security, then “Screen Lock” and change the lock type to swipe or slide. Now, fire up this app and turn on the magic unlock option. Tada! Now you are all set to unlock your device via air gesture.

The app was released early 2017, but Magic Unlock has already received 50,000-100,000 installs and has a 4.2/5 rating in the Play Store, giving you all the more reason to install it. The app requires Android 4.1 and above.

Download the app from here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.binarybuilding.magicunlock&hl=en

3) Gesture Magic

Another app that uses gesture to lock/unlock the screen is the Gesture Magic app, developed by Apps2all. Compatible with most Android devices, this app is very easy for you to use.

The app already suggests you with predetermined gestures to unlock the screen and open the specific apps. How convenient!

Features – Don’t we all love apps that do not just stick to their main purpose but also come with extra features? This app allows you to launch apps, make calls, send text messages, and quickly access all applications with ease, everything with the help of gestures!  This app needs to use the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device Administrator permission in order to work.

Launched on 17th August 2017, the app has already fetched 100,000-500,000 installs and has maintained a 4/5-star rating, proving why it’s worth using despite being a new-comer.

Download this app from here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gesture.action&hl=en

4) Gesture Lock Screen

Developed by Prank App, Gesture Lock Screen is a wonderful app that allows to securing your Android phone with letters, signatures or a pull-down gesture. This is an intelligent gesture screen-lock app that detects and adjusts to the letters that are created every time and stored as lock screen passwords. You can be creative with this app as well; hearts, circles, triangles, squares, make any shape, letter, number and save it as the gesture lock.

Gesture Lock Screen is designed to allow you to launch any personal application through your personalized gesture, so you do not have to worry about anyone meddling with the contents of your phone. The app comes with the following range of features:

• Create any kind of password – letters, shapes, numbers, signatures, etc.

• App notifications appear on the lock screen itself - unread texts, calls, app notifications, etc.

• Double tap the notification, draw the gesture to unlock and open the app – privacy, finally!

• Supports both single as well as multiple stroke gesture.

With a 4.4/5-star rating in the Play Store, and with 5,000-10,000 downloads in a span of 2 months of its launch. The app works on Android 4.1 and above.

Download it from - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vasu.gesturescreenlock&hl=en

5) Gestos – Gestures

Developed by Imaxinacion, Gestos-Gestures is an amazing gesture screen-lock app, designed with the main aim of providing you with fluency and speed as you perform actions on your device. This app aims to give you the facility of accessing various functions by drawing an easy gesture on the lock screen.

Gestos allows you to – call contacts, enable or disable settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, etc, run various system options, lock or unlock your device, and access websites as well.

Talking about configuration, Gestos is a well-designed app that can be activated by just a double-touch on your home screen. Its sensitivity can be adjusted according to what you prefer, a permanent notification toggle floating button is available as well!

Maintaining a 4.1/5-star rating in the Play Store, Gestos has had 100,000-500,000 installs.

Download it from here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imaxinacion.gestos&hl=en

As Android reaches new heights every year, gestures are getting more and more enhanced, as their functionalities increase as well. Gestures have always been an exciting feature in Android phones and a convenient one as well. They are practical and fun to use, and the apps mentioned above are some of the best gesture-lock apps amongst the vast number of such apps in the Google Play Store. If you want to make your tasks easier by using gestures on your phone, feel free to try some of the mentioned apps here.

Top Apps and Online Tools To Track Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Phone [With/Without IMEI Number]

Losing your smartphone can be distressing, given its importance in daily life. Ensuring the ability to trace the whereabouts of a misplaced device holds great importance. It is due to potential theft, loss, or accidental misplacement.

Fortunately, many ways exist to retrieve a lost mobile phone by utilizing its IMEI number. This article will take you through the anti-theft app & IMEI tracker of all phone location methods. Additionally, we will discuss a unique tool designed to unlock locked devices.

Part 1: An Introduction to IMEI Numbers and Its Utility

Every mobile device has a special identifier that is helpful in the anti-theft app & IMEI tracker activities. It is known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI number. While often overlooked, it holds the key to many essential services and functions.

This makes it an indispensable component of modern mobile technology. The IMEI number serves as a digital fingerprint for mobile phones. Its primary purposes are summarized below:

1. Device Identification: Each mobile device possesses a distinct IMEI number. This sets it apart from every other phone in existence. This identification is essential for cellular networks and service providers. It helps in recognizing, managing, and connecting devices accurately.
2. Traceability and Tracking: In cases of theft, loss, or unauthorized use, the IMEI number becomes a crucial tool for tracking. It provides law enforcement agencies with the means to pinpoint the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device’s location.
3. Warranty and Support: Manufacturers use IMEI numbers to manage warranties and provide technical support. These numbers help confirm the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device’s authenticity, purchase date, and warranty coverage. This streamlines the process of repairs and replacements.
4. Security Measures: IMEI numbers play a role in security measures such as device blacklisting. If a device is reported stolen, its IMEI number can be added to a global database. This prevents it from being used on any network and renders it useless to thieves.

Part 2: A Dedicated Android Solution To Track Phone Location Using IMEI Number

IMEI numbers are important for more than just working as identifiers. One practical application lies in tracking a lost or stolen phone. It is a scenario that can cause significant distress. To address this concern, a great solution is the “AntiTheft App - IMEI Tracker, All Mobile Location.”

It is a dedicated Android app designed to harness the power of IMEI numbers for phone tracking. This anti-theft app & IMEI tracker provides a comprehensive method to locate a misplaced or stolen device. Its core work revolves around using the IMEI number to find the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device’s location. With it, you can send commands via SMS (text messages) from an alternate device.

These functionalities encompass using secure commands with a designated secret code. Using these commands, you can have the smartphone ring audibly at its maximum volume. It can also get the GPS coordinates of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device. You can also display a personalized message across the screen. Lastly, it can even capture photographs through the front-facing camera.

Part 3: Online Solutions: Finding The Best Anti-Theft Online Tool Using IMEI Tracking

The internet makes it easy to deal with lost or stolen devices. Online solutions offer another way to find your smartphone using IMEI tracking. In contrast to conventional approaches, these digital tools enhance the efficiency of the process.

They provide a ray of optimism, even for individuals with limited tech proficiency. Below are two prominent anti-theft apps & IMEI trackers online that use IMEI tracking to aid in phone location:

Method 1. IMEI-Tracker

The purpose of this web-based platform is to streamline the procedure for locating a misplaced or stolen mobile phone. With just the IMEI number of your lost device, you can ascertain its GPS coordinates. Employing sophisticated algorithms, the platform triangulates the rough whereabouts of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device. The following steps outline how to use IMEI-Tracker to find the location of your lost device:

• Step 1: Begin by accessing a web browser on a device and navigate to the IMEI-Tracker.com website. Here, click “Track IMEI” to access the IMEI tracking feature.
• Step 2: On the next page, enter your lost device’s IMEI number and select the country. Afterward, click “Track IMEI” to kickstart the tracking process.

Method 2. TrackIMEI.net

Another player in the online IMEI tracking space is TrackIMEI.net. It offers a user-friendly approach to locating missing devices. By inputting the IMEI number into the platform, you can pinpoint the location of your device. This service also facilitates the reporting of lost or stolen devices. Use the following steps to locate your device via TrackIMEI.net.

• Step: On a web browser, access TrackIMEI.net and type your IMEI number in the text field. Then click “Search” to initiate the search for your lost device.

Part 4: Anti-Theft Apps That Locate Devices Without IMEI

Anti-theft apps offer a mean to locate a device even without relying on the IMEI number. These apps provide an alternative route to safeguard your valuable possessions. Moreover, these apps offer an extra layer of security and assurance. Below are two noteworthy anti-theft apps that enable users to track their devices:

Method 1. Find My Device (IMEI Tracker)

Available on the Play Store, the Find My Device (IMEI Tracker) is a popular choice among users. It allows you to experience the utmost simplicity in tracking your Android device. With this cutting-edge GPS tracker, you can effortlessly track your Android phone.

To activate the tracking function, the app must be installed on the targeted phone. After installing the anti-theft app & IMEI tracker, you can use the website to track the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device’s location.

Method 2. Anti-Theft Mobile Tracker

The Anti-Theft Mobile Tracker app provides an innovative approach to tracking devices. It allows the transmission of the precise location of the lost device to a recipient device. This functionality operates without requiring an active Internet connection.

The anti-theft app & IMEI tracker for all mobile locations enables remote actions, including locking the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device and erasing personal data. Through this app, users can lock their phones and safeguard their data from a distance.

Bonus Part: Got Your Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Locked? Unlock It Easily With the Best Third-Party Utility

Losing access to our own devices due to a forgotten password or lock pattern can be exasperating. In such cases, a reliable third-party utility, Wondershare Dr.Fone, comes to the rescue. It offers a seamless method to regain access and control over your precious devices. It is designed to provide a straightforward way to unlock locked Android devices.

The utility offers different unlock modes to cater to various scenarios. These include PIN, pattern, password, and even fingerprint or facial recognition. Wondershare Dr.Fone boasts a high success rate in unlocking devices, making it a reliable option.

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.
• Almost all Samsung phones and tablets are supported (Currently for Android 6-13).
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate.

4,008,671 people have downloaded it

Prominent Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. When unlocking a locked Android Phone, like a Samsung or LG device, with Dr.Fone, you can do it without data loss.
2. It allows you to bypass Google FRPlock on all major Android brands like Samsung, Mi, OPPO, etc.
3. With Wondershare Dr.Fone, you can unlock screen locks such as PIN, password, pattern, and fingerprint.

Unlocking a Locked Smartphone Using Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock (Android)

Unlocking your locked Android device using Wondershare Dr.Fone is a straightforward process. Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to help you through the process of unlocking your Android screen lock:

• Step 1: Navigate to Screen Unlock in Wondershare Dr.Fone

You start with launching Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer. Navigate to “Toolbox” and access “Screen Unlock.” On the following screen, choose “Android” as your device type.

• Step 2: Choose Your Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ Device Brand

After choosing the Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ device type, select “Unlock Android Screen”. Now choose the brand of your Android, for example, Samsung, and on the next screen, click “Remove without Data Loss”. Following this, you need to input the “Brand”, “Device Name”, and “Device Model” of your smartphone.

• Step 3: Agree to the Android Screen Unlock Terms

Enable the checkbox that indicates your agreement with the warning and your readiness to proceed. Then, proceed by clicking the “Next” button to unlock the screen. A confirmation step will appear, asking you to enter the code “000000”. Once you’ve entered the code, click on “Confirm” to carry out the necessary operation.

• Step 4: Unlock Your Locked Android Device

The final step is to put your Android device into Download Mode. To make it easier for you, the instructions are given on the screen. As soon as the Download Mode is activated, the Android screen unlock process will start. Click “Done” once the process has been completed.

Conclusion

In short, it can be scary to lose your smartphone due to theft, misplacement, or unauthorized access. During our exploration, we discovered many ways to locate your device if you lose it. The “Anti-theft App & IMEI Tracker All Phone Location“ stands out as a beacon of hope. It provides a dedicated Android solution to locate devices even in adverse situations.

As a bonus, Wondershare Dr.Fone emerged as a powerful ally for those locked out of their devices. This Android screen unlock toolkit offers a user-friendly interface and a high success rate. To conclude, as technology continues to evolve, your ability to safeguard your devices and data becomes robust.

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