Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Vivo S18 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 Vivo S18 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 Vivo S18 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.

Top 10 Fingerprint Lock Apps to Lock Your Vivo S18 Phone

In the last few years, we have seen the launch of numerous Android phones with an inbuilt fingerprint scanner. This provides added security to the Vivo S18 device and should definitely be utilized by the user. To make the most of this amazing feature, you can find many fingerprint lock app options listed on Google Play Store. Since there are so many options for a fingerprint app, it might become tedious to pick the best finger lock app for your device. Don’t worry – we are here to help you. This guide will make you familiar with the ten best fingerprint screen lock app options out there.

Let’s start our listicle by exploring some of the best fingerprint scanner lock app options available on the Google Play Store.

1. Fingerprint Pattern App Lock

The Fingerprint Pattern App Lock app will be an ideal solution to safeguard your privacy. Besides locking your mobile screen with fingerprint, pattern, and pin code, it can also lock Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, Whatapps, Chrome, or any other apps!

• Full customization
• It doesn’t require the rooting of the Vivo S18 device
• Can lock settings, calls, browser, play store, and more
• Freely available with no ads
• Supports Android 4.1 and up

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: Fingerprint Pattern App Lock

2. AppLock: Fingerprint & PIN

From social media apps to your gallery, this finger lock app can protect almost everything on your device. It comes with tons of features like app time-out, fake crash screen, the inclusion of PIN, and more. All of this can be customized from its settings as well.

• It can capture the picture of the intruder
• Provides a fake crash screen to hide that the app that has been locked
• Different themes for the lock screen
• It has an improved lock screen engine
• Contains in-app ads
• Supports Android 4.0.3 and later versions

Rating: 4.0

Download Link: AppLock: Fingerprint & PIN

3. FingerSecurity

As the name suggests, this fingerprint screen lock app can help you attain complete security on your device with your fingerprint. Besides all the popular apps, you can even lock widgets and settings with it. It can also capture the picture of the intruder, letting you know if your device has been tampered with.

• You can set a fake crash screen for the protected apps
• It can protect notifications from the selective apps as well
• Users can unlock multiple apps at once
• Can set alternative PINs if the fingerprint is not recognized
• Supports Android 4.3 and up

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: FingerSecurity

4. App Lock - Real Fingerprint Protection

If you are looking for a lightweight and secure fingerprint lock app, you can give this option by Kohinoor Apps a try. It can lock any app of your choice and protect your settings as well.  In this way, you can keep intruders away and level up the security on your device.

• It can include PIN and password protection with your fingerprint
• The app sends immediate alerts with an intruder selfie support
• It can also lock system apps, settings, browser, gallery, and more
• Contains in-app purchases and ads
• Supports Android 4.1 and later versions

Rating: 4.2

Download Link: App Lock - Real Fingerprint Protection

5. SpSoft Fingerprint AppLocker

Halt your quest for a complete fingerprint app right here. One of the best finger lock app options out there, it comes with tons of features that will fulfill your security needs. Besides locking all the major apps, settings, and more with your fingerprint, it also has a notification lock and a fake screen feature.

• Lightweight and easy to use
• Supports multiple languages
• It can also be used to reset a lost password
• Contains in-app ads and purchases
• Supports Android 2.3 and later versions

Rating: 4.4

Download Link: SpSoft Fingerprint AppLocker

6. AppLock by DoMobile Lab

One of the best fingerprint app lockers, it is already used by more than 100 million users worldwide. Even though it locks apps via passwords and PINs, it also provides dedicated support for the fingerprint scanner and locking mechanism. It provides full customization support with the availability of various themes.

• Random keyboard with an invisible pattern lock
• It has an inbuilt power-saving mode
• Users can customize profiles for each app
• The app supports all the major languages
• Compatible with all the leading Android versions (including Android 8.0)
• Contains in-app purchases

Rating: 4.4

Download Link: AppLock by DoMobile Lab

7. LOCKit

LOCKit is a complete security app that can help you protect your photos, apps, notifications, and more. It also comes with a photo and video vault to protect your media files. You can fool any intruder with a fake crash screen and capture their photo as well.

• Full customization of fingerprint lock with PIN and password
• Multiple language support
• Can lock incoming calls and customize the notification bar
• Photo and video vault
• Requires Android 2.2 and later versions

Rating: 4.6

Download Link: LOCKit

8. Fingerprint Locker

The fingerprint lock app is compatible with all the Vivo S18 devices running on Android Marshmallow and later versions. It is a lightweight app that utilizes a minimum battery. It might not have all the advanced features, but it certainly provides a basic solution to lock apps with your fingerprint.

• Can lock all the popular apps with your fingerprint
• Lightweight and fast
• Freely available with no ads
• Runs on Android 4.2 and later versions

Rating: 3.6

Download Link: Fingerprint Locker

Pro Tips: Unlock Your Android Phones When You Forgot the Fingerprint

Setting a fingerprint lock or PIN, password, pattern, or even FRP lock on an Android phone is a common way to prevent our important data or private info from being prying eyes. However, if you forgot the fingerprint, or get your Android phone broken with a screen cracked, and enter the wrong password several times, you will be stuck on the problem and won’t be able to access your phone and all the apps on the Vivo S18 device. Don’t be too worried. Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) provides you with an Android phone unlocking feature to unlock any phone fingerprint and any screen locks, including numeric password, pattern, 4-digit/6-digit/custom PIN, fingerprint ID, face recognition, etc.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Get into Fingerprint Locked Android Phones within Minutes

• 4 screen lock types are available: pattern, PIN, password & fingerprints.
• Easily remove the lock screen; No need to root your device.
• Everybody can handle it without any technical background.
• Provide specific removal solutions to promise good success rate

4,008,670 people have downloaded it

Conclusion

When you know about all the popular options for the fingerprint screen lock app, you can simply choose an ideal choice. Go ahead and download the fingerprint lock app of your choice and provide an added layer of security to your device. Out of all the listed options for the fingerprint app, which one is your favorite? Let us know about it in the comments.

Unlock Your Vivo S18 Phone with Ease: The 3 Best Lock Screen Removal Tools

Let’s just say that you recently changed your Vivo S18 phone’s password, and now you are having trouble remembering it. After a few wrong attempts, you will get an alert message saying that more wrong attempts will block your device. In these situations, you can hard reset your device, but it will delete all your data and settings.

Instead of using other methods, you can use an Vivo S18 password unlock tool to unlock your device without a password. You can find many unlock tools but if you want an easy-to-use and efficient Vivo S18 unlock tool, try Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock. With Dr.Fone, you can unlock your Vivo S18 device within five minutes. You don’t have to worry about harm to your phone’s software. Here, we will discuss the three best Vivo S18 unlock tools and a complete guide on how to remove the Vivo S18 screen lock with Dr.Fone.

Tool 1: Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

For Vivo S18 smartphone users who have forgotten their password and are locked out of their device, finding a reliable and efficient password unlock tool is crucial. One such tool that stands out is Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android). Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) offers a fast and efficient solution to unlock your Vivo S18 device. With its advanced algorithms and technology, it can bypass various lock screen types, including PIN, password, pattern, and fingerprint. You can regain access to your device within minutes, saving you from the frustration of being locked out of your phone for an extended period.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is the first choice of many people because of the simple device unlock procedure. When you unlock your device with Dr.Fone, you don’t have to worry about damaging its software. Dr.Fone is the most efficient Vivo S18 pattern lock remove tool because it can unlock all old and new Vivo S18 devices. In addition to that, Dr.Fone also offers various other features like system repair, WhatsApp transfer, phone transfer, data backup and restore, data eraser, etc. Here is the guide to unlocking the Vivo S18 lock screen with Dr.Fone.

With Dr.Fone, you can remove the lock screen of any Vivo S18 mobile in four easy steps. Each step is easy to follow.

• Step 1. Download Wondershare Dr.Fone from our official website and install it on your PC.

• Step 2. Launch the Dr.Fone and navigate to the “Toolbox” > “Screen Unlock” > “Android” > “Unlock Android Screen”.

• Step 3. Click the “OPPO” icon and use a USB cable to connect your Vivo S18 phone and your PC. Dr.Fone will start to unlock Android screen after getting into the specific mode. There are various phone brands for you to choose, don’t make it wrong, otherwise, all rest processes won’t work well.

• Step 4. Once the unlock progress is over, you can access your Vivo S18 phone without any password or pattern.

Tool 2: Vivo S18 Password Unlock

Vivo S18 unlock tool is free software that enables users to unlock Vivo S18 devices without a password. The Vivo S18 password unlock tool can bypass screen lock, FRP, Google verification, DIAG, and ADB. It works for all Vivo S18 smartphones. It is the best tool for those who forgot their phone’s screen lock password. With Vivo S18 unlock tool, you don’t have to complete complex steps, and the method to unlock devices is simple. As an Vivo S18 user, you should be aware of the fact that Vivo S18 doesn’t allow password changes with a factory reset.

You can only reset your password using the Vivo S18 password unlock tool after a factory reset. This tool is compatible with all versions of Windows. It is a one for all solution for many Vivo S18 smartphone problems. You can use it to reset the hardware of your Vivo S18 phone and delete all data and settings. It features a simple and easy-to-use user interface, and you can get it at no cost. Here are the steps to remove the Vivo S18 lock screen with the Vivo S18 password unlock the program.

• Step 1. Download and Install the Vivo S18 unlock tool. Run the application and power off your smartphone. Select Vivo S18 from the brand list and determine the chipset of your device. It can either be MTK or Qualcomm.
• Step 2. For the MTK(MediaTek) chipset, all you need to do is set your MAC address from the network adaptor options and start the unlock process.
• Step 3. For the Qualcomm chipset, select your device model and click on the “Service” tab to enable DIAG mode.
• Step 4. Start the Vivo S18 device unlock process. Once the process is complete, your device will automatically boot up and format all data. There will be no screen lock or FRP lock.

Tool 3: iToolab - UnlockGo

If you have the habit of changing your Vivo S18 smartphone frequently, then it is easy to forget your password. Changing your phone’s password is not a problem, but once you forget your phone’s password, things can get troublesome. Without your phone’s password, you might be able to call others, but you can’t unlock your device, use social media, or use any apps on your phone. Although it looks like a bug problem, you can easily deal with it using the proper tools. Instead of trying to unlock your locked Vivo S18 device using various unsafe methods, you can use iToolab - UnlockGo to remove its screen lock.

iToolab - UnlockGo is a simple Vivo S18 pattern remove tool that enables users to unlock privacy passwords and screen locks of their Vivo S18 smartphones. The only reason not to use this tool for Vivo S18 screen unlock is that you can lose all your data. Although lock screen removal without data loss is available in UnlockGo it only works for earlier Samsung devices. For Vivo S18 users, forgetting their phone’s password means losing all their data to unlock their device. Here are the steps to unlock Vivo S18 phones using iToolab - UnlockGo.

• Step 1. Install and launch iToolab - UnlockGo(Android) on your PC. Click on the “Unlock Screen lock” on the main interface.
• Step 2. Select your device brand from the drop-down list. In your case, select “OPPO” and click on the “Unlock” button.
• Step 3. If your device has a home button, press the home + volume up + power keys at the same time to enter recovery mode. If your device does not have the home button, press the volume down + power keys to enter recovery mode.
• Step 4. Once you enable the recovery mode, iToolab - UnlockGo will start the screen lock removal on your Vivo S18 device. You will get a notification once the unlock ends. Reboot your device and enter it without a password.

Bonus Tips: Have you ever found yourself locked out of your Vivo S18 phone due to the Google Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature? If so, don’t worry, as there is a solution that can help you bypass this security measure. Easily bypass Google FRP on Vivo S18 Phone with Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android). It effortlessly resolves issues like lost Google accounts, forgotten PIN codes, and unlocking used phones. Supported brands include Samsung , Xiaomi, Redmi , Oppo , Realme , and Vivo .

FAQs: Is Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock Safe for Your Vivo S18 Phone?

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock is the safest and most efficient tool to unlock your Vivo S18 device without a password. It only removes the lock screen and doesn’t affect your device’s security. One of the advantages of using Dr.Fone is that it saves your phone’s warranty. When you unlock Vivo S18 phones with Dr.Fone, you don’t need your Google password or a factory reset. Dr.Fone also gives you the option to back up your data. You can also use it to repair software problems on your device, like screen stuck, volume problems, or device lag.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Unlock Your Vivo S18 Phone Hassle-Free

• Remove 4 screen lock types: pattern, PIN, password & fingerprints.
• Bypass Android FRP lock without a PIN or Google account.
• Work for Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OPPO, etc.
• No tech knowledge required, Simple, click-through, process.

3,981,454 people have downloaded it

Conclusion

These are the three best tools to unlock your Vivo S18 smartphone. Each of these tools can unlock your phone without a password. If we want to pick the best Vivo S18 password unlock tool, Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) is better than the other two for various reasons. With Dr.Fone, you get a simple user interface and an easy-to-follow procedure to unlock your device. The tool guides you to complete every step, and you can unlock your Vivo S18 smartphone within five minutes. And you also don’t have to worry about losing your phone’s warranty. Dr.Fone is a one-stop solution for Android problems.

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