Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G 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 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G 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 Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G 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.

Unlocking the Power of Smart Lock: A Beginner’s Guide for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Users

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

Part 1: What is Android Smart Lock?

Android Lollipop added a feature called Smart Lock, and the feature was devised as a smart tool to prevent the Android phone from locking once it was initially unlocked. In other words, the feature overrides an Android phone’s Lock Screen feature, thereby saving users the need to enter passwords every time the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device locks.

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

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

Turning On Smart Lock

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

Tap on Settings, which is the gear symbol.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tap on Add Trusted Devices.

The next screen is the Choose Device Type.

Since you have already paired Bluetooth, it will ask you to choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device from the list.

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

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

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

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

Check current settings first.

On a new Android phone, visit Settings>Personal.

Then Lock Screen and Security.

Then Secure Lock Settings.

Tap Smart Lock.

Tap on Trusted Places.

Click here


Tap on Add Trusted Places

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

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

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

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

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

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

The feature recognizes your face and then unlocks the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device. Once you set up the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device to recognize your face as a trusted face, it will unlock the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device as soon as it recognizes you.

PRECAUTION:  At best, this can be the first level of security, as one who resembles you to some extent can unlock the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device. Photographs are not stored in the system. The device does hold necessary data to recognize your face, and the security level is determined by how good the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device is configured. The data is not accessed by any app or loaded onto a Google server for backup.

Setting Up Trusted Face

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

The device begins to gather data about your face. The trusted face icon appears. As a backup, in case Smart Lock does not recognize your face, use the manual system by applying the PIN or password to unlock the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device.

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

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

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

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

Video on How to Remove Android Lock Screen Without Data Loss

Unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phone Password Without Factory Reset: Full Guide Here

In today’s fast-paced digital age, our smartphones are more than just communication devices; they are repositories of our personal and professional lives. However, there comes a time when we find ourselves locked out of our Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phones , desperately trying to remember a password or PIN that seems to have slipped our minds. The thought of a factory reset, which wipes our valuable data clean, can be daunting.

But fear not! This comprehensive guide is here to rescue you from the perils of forgotten passwords without factory reset. So, if you’re in a bind and need to regain access to your device, read on for a full guide to know how to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone password without factory reset!

Method 1: Unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phones Running Older Android OS (4.4 Or Below) With Google Security Questions

Up until Android version 4.4, you could lock your phone screen with a pattern. Google allowed you to unlock the phone by answering security questions in case you forgot the pattern. Since these may also be easily guessed by people who are in possession of your device illegally, Google deprecated this method after Android 4.4. However, the phones running Android 4.4 or lower are still allowed to be unlocked using this method. So, if you have an old Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G with Android 4.4 or earlier, here is how to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone password without factory reset:

Step 1: You may already have entered the incorrect pattern a few times. If so, simply tap the Forgot Pattern to start the process of unlocking your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone screen. Else, deliberately enter incorrect pattern a few times till you see the Forgot Pattern option:

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

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

Step 4: Lastly, create a new pattern to unlock your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone.

Side Tip

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

Method 2: Unlock Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phone Using Wondershare Dr.Fone ( Easy & Fast)

Now, since the previous method of unlocking your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone was deprecated after Android 4.4, what about the phones running newer versions? How to unlock a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone with a newer Android version? There are still a few methods that are available to you, but the best way to unlock a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone is to use this nifty little app called Wondershare Dr.Fone. And you will discover that there is nothing little about this app!

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

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

Step 2: Click Unlock Android Screen.

Step 3: Select the first option – 100% Remove Screen Lock as Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G devices cannot be unlocked without data loss.

Step 4: Choose your phone brand carefully – Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G in this case.

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

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

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

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone screen is now unlocked. Click the button below to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone password without factory reset now!

Method 3: Factory Reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phones (Wipes User Data)

There is a standard factory reset built into every Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone to allow users to erase the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device and start over fully. This option wipes all user data and resets the phone to how you received it in the box. Naturally, this is not a preferred way, as it requires the phone to be set up all over again and that takes time. Also, all data will need to be backed up beforehand in order to restore it again. Overall, this method consumes a lot of time.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Backup & Reset.

Step 2: Tap Factory Reset > Reset Phone.

Step 3: Tap Erase Everything.

Method 4: Use Google Find My Device To Unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phones (Wipes User Data)

Google Find My Device is an online service by Google that is used to locate and track your Android devices. It works like how Apple’s Find My works for its range of hardware. Using Find My Device, you can play a sound on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device to locate it in the house if you have misplaced it, lock the phone in case it is lost, and wipe the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device remotely.

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

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

Step 3: Click Find A Lost Device.

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

Step 5: Click Erase Device and confirm.

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

Method 5: Request Service Provider To Unlock Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Phone

If your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone is tied to a service contract and you want to unlock your device to use it with other service providers, this method is for you. You can request your service provider to unlock your Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone provided their conditions are met. Usually, they will be happy to oblige if there are no dues and the service period is over.

Bonus Tip: If You Want To Disable Screen Lock

Sometimes, you may not need to secure your device at all. For example, if you have an old device that you want to use as a media player in your car or to give to children to play games, you may not want to password-protect the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G device. This is how to disable screen lock on Android:

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

Step 2: Enter the PIN or pattern.

Step 3: Choose None and confirm.

Conclusion

There are a handful of methods you can use to unlock a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone in case you forget the password or PIN or pattern. Especially for the old pattern-based screen locks, it is easy to unlock the phone if you know the answers to the security questions in your Google account. However, to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone screen without password on newer Android versions, you need technical knowledge, or you can use third-party software such as Wondershare Dr.Fone. Using Dr.Fone Screen Unlock, you can unlock your phone quickly with no technical mumbo jumbo to confuse you. All you will get is a software that guides you every step of the way so you can unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G phone easily.