Pattern Locks Are Unsafe Secure Your Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Phone Now with These Tips

Pattern Locks Are Unsafe: Secure Your Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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 Mix Fold 3 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 Mix Fold 3 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.

7 Ways to Unlock a Locked Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Phone

“How to get into a locked phone? I have been locked out of my Android device and lost my passcode!”

If you are also facing the same issue, then you have come to the right place. There are plenty of ways to learn how to get into a locked Android phone when it comes to Android devices. From using a third-party tool to Google’s native solution – the sky is the limit. This post will make you familiar with different ways to unlock a device without knowing its passcode. Read on and learn how to get into a locked Android device.

safe & secure

Part 1: How to get into a locked phone with Dr.Fone?

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) provides a hassle-free solution to unlock an Android device in minutes. It can remove a device’s PIN, password, pattern, and even fingerprint security without causing any harm to it. Therefore, you would be able to unlock your device without losing your data while using some Samsung or LG Android phones. If you want to break the locked screen with Dr.Fone from other brand phones, including iPhone, Huawei, and Oneplus, it will wipe out your phone’s data after unlocking successfully.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android)

Get into Locked Phones within Minutes

5 screen lock types are available: pattern, PIN, password, fingerprints & Face ID.
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.

4,008,669 people have downloaded it

To learn how to get into a locked phone using Dr.Fone, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to the official website of Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (Android) and download the tool on your computer. After installing it, launch the interface and click on the option of “Screen Unlock” from the home screen.

Step 2. Connect your Android device to the computer. Click “Android” > “Unlock Android Screen” and select the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device brand on the list. If your device is listed in the supported list , you can unlock locked phone without data loss.

Step 3. Now, you need to put your Android device in Download mode. To do this, you need to turn your device off by pressing the Power button. Afterward, press the Home, Power, and Volume Down buttons together. After a while, let go of these buttons and press the Volume Up button to enter the Download Mode.

Step 4. As soon as your device is not in the Download Mode, Dr.Fone will automatically start downloading its respective recovery packages.
Step 5. Sit back and wait as the application downloads the package and performs the required steps to unlock your device. In the end, it will notify you by displaying the following message.

That’s it! By following these steps, you would be able to learn how to get into a locked Android phone without losing any data.

Tips: Cannot find your device model in the supported list or your phone is not Samsung? Worry not, as Wondershare Dr.Fone can also help you to unlock other device models (inlcluding Huawei, LG, Xiaomi, etc) in a matter of seconds. Just install this tool on your computer and connect your phone to start the unlock process!

Part 2: How to get into a locked phone with Android Device Manager?

Google’s Android Device Manager (also known as Find My Device) can be used to locate a lost phone, erase it remotely, ring it, and change its lock. You can access it from any other device and use its features remotely.

Step 1. Firstly, go to the Android Device Manager’s website right here . Log in with the Google account that is already linked to your Android device.
Step 2. Once the interface is loaded, you can select your phone. It will locate the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device automatically and provide various options.

Step 3. Choose the “Lock” option to proceed.
Step 4. This will display a new prompt. From here, you can get the new password for your device and confirm it.

Step 5. Additionally, if your device is lost, you can display an optional message and contact number on the lock screen. Click on the “Lock” button to save changes and exit the screen.

Part 3: How to get into a locked phone with Samsung Find My Mobile?

If you are using a Samsung device, you can also use its Find My Mobile service to unlock your device remotely. It is an excellent tool that can be accessed remotely and perform a wide range of operations that can be performed on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device. Follow these easy instructions to learn how to get into a locked Android Samsung device.

Step 1. Open Samsung’s Find My Mobile website right here on any device of your choice.
Step 2. Login using the credentials of the Samsung account linked to your existing device that is needed to be unlocked.
Step 3. On its dashboard, you can access various features associated with your device. If you have multiple devices linked to your account, you can select it from the top-left panel.

Step 4. From the provided options on the left panel, click on the “Unlock My Screen” option.
Step 5. Click on the “Unlock” button again to move past the lock screen of your device.

Step 6. After waiting for a while, you will get the following prompt. From here, you can set up a new lock for your mobile or can click on the “Lock My Screen” option to do the same.

Part 4: How to get into a locked phone using the ‘Forgot Pattern’ feature?

If your device is based on Android 4.4 and earlier versions, you may also use its native “Forgot Pattern” feature to unlock it. Though, you should have access to the Google account credentials linked to the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device beforehand. To learn how to get into a locked phone with this technique, follow these steps:

Step 1. To get the Forgot Pattern option, enter the wrong PIN/pattern on your device.
Step 2. This will display the “Forgot Pattern” button on the bottom of the screen. Just tap on it to continue.

Step 3. On the next screen, you can unlock your device by providing the backup PIN of your device or sign in using the Google credentials of the account linked to the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device.

Step 4. After bypassing this feature, you can unlock your device and set up a new PIN or pattern.

Part 5: How to get into a locked phone by factory reset?

If nothing else seems to work, then you can also choose to factory reset your device. Even though this will unlock your device, it would also erase its content and saved settings. To know how to get into a locked Android phone, follow these steps:

Step 1. Turn off your device by pressing the Power button.
Step 2. Now, you need to put your device into recovery mode. This can be done by applying the correct key combinations, which can differ from one device to another. Some common combinations are: Volume Up + Home + Power, Home + Power, Volume Up + Power + Volume Down, and Volume Down + Power button.
Step 3. Once your phone has entered the recovery mode; you can navigate with the Volume up and down button and use the Power button to make a selection.

Step 4. Select the option of “wipe data/factory reset.

Step 5. This will display the following prompt. Confirm your choice by selecting the “Yes” option.

Step 6. Wait for a while as your phone will be restarted with factory settings.

Part 6: How to get into a locked phone in Safe Mode?

If you are using a third-party application to lock your device, you can easily disable it by restarting your phone in safe mode. In this way, you can get rid of the respective app without causing any damage to the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 device. You can learn how to get into a locked Android phone by following these steps:

Step 1. Long-press the Power button to activate the Power option on the screen.
Step 2. If you don’t get the option to restart the phone in Safe Mode, then long tap the “Power off” option.
Step 3. It will provide the following prompt regarding Safe Mode. Just tap on the “Ok” button to confirm your choice.

Part 7: How to get into a locked phone using Custom Recovery?

Since custom recovery provides a third-party recovery environment, it can learn how to get into a locked Android device. Additionally, you need to flash it via an SD card since you won’t access the phone storage on a locked device.

Step 1. To start with, you need to download the password/pattern disable file from right here and copy it onto your SD card.
Step 2. Mount the SD card on your device and restart it in recovery mode by providing the correct key combinations.
Step 3. From the provided options, choose to install zip from the SD card.
Step 4. Confirm your selection and let your phone be restarted with no lock screen.

Bonus Tip: General tips for unlocking phone successfully

By following these tips, you can increase the chances of successfully unlocking your phone while safeguarding your data and security.

Data Backup: Regularly back up your data that ensures you have a recent backup of all your important data, such as contacts, photos, videos, and documents. This will prevent data loss in case the unlocking process results in a factory reset.
Reputable Methods: Use reputable and official unlocking methods whenever possible, such as Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock.

Conclusion

By following these simple steps, you would learn how to get into a locked phone. If you are looking for a trouble-free way to unlock an Android device, then give Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock a try. It is a highly reliable solution to learn how to get into a locked Android phone and unlock your device in minutes with no complications.

Top 10 Fingerprint Lock Apps to Lock Your Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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 Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 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.