Okay, I know this is going to sound more awkward by the time I explain it, but I assure you that I am pretty lost here.
I set a numeric password on my phone, as I do with most of my stuff, so if something happens to it, my personal info doesn't get obtained so easily. Anyways, today I woke up and used my phone a bit and it was alright, but it restarted and when it came back to XDAndroid again, I tried to unlock it, but the phone wouldn't unlock, which I found as odd. I retyped the password about 10 different times, to avail. I know I didn't mess it up when I entered it in, because I was unlocking it just fine earlier. Any chance this could be a bug or something?
Might have to blast out data.img.
I haven't set any such lock, so no clue if it is a bug or something else...
arrrghhh said:
Might have to blast out data.img.
I haven't set any such lock, so no clue if it is a bug or something else...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the first time it's ever happened to me, so I thought i'd throw it out there and see if anyone knew anything about it, though I figured i'd be relying on making a new data.img, unless I wanted to get fancy and edit the data.img to find the unlock code, but that would just be no fun.
Thank you for Titanium Backup
QuentinX5 said:
Its the first time it's ever happened to me, so I thought i'd throw it out there and see if anyone knew anything about it, though I figured i'd be relying on making a new data.img, unless I wanted to get fancy and edit the data.img to find the unlock code, but that would just be no fun.
Thank you for Titanium Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, indeed.
It's a crappy workaround to get the phone working again. I doubt it's a bug, I'm betting something else is going on. No clue tho, let me know if you figure out a way to reproduce it!
arrrghhh said:
Heh, indeed.
It's a crappy workaround to get the phone working again. I doubt it's a bug, I'm betting something else is going on. No clue tho, let me know if you figure out a way to reproduce it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it happened from the phone resetting itself after being dropped, so I don't know exactly such a way to reproduce it except by randomly resetting the phone by unmean means, but will most definitely does.
I had something similar happen to me quite a few times before I realized I was using Titanium Backup to restore previous settings, it would restore the unlock code but it wouldn't take affect until after a reboot. By the time I rebooted I forgot I had just restored from a backup.
rpierce99 said:
I had something similar happen to me quite a few times before I realized I was using Titanium Backup to restore previous settings, it would restore the unlock code but it wouldn't take affect until after a reboot. By the time I rebooted I forgot I had just restored from a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That still wouldn't make a difference, because I've used the same password even from backups, so it wouldn't change regardless. I've rebooted quite a few times, still haven't deleted the data.img because I had some stuff I need to get off beforehand, but have no way of retrieving it if I am locked out of my phone.
perhaps somehow in some strange way the unlock code was corrupted, do you still have a copy of the data.img?
ryannathans said:
perhaps somehow in some strange way the unlock code was corrupted, do you still have a copy of the data.img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's on my PC somewhere. I backed it up because there was stuff on it I never got to take off.
if you would like to investigate further, try to find a data.img editor or you might even be able to use a hex editor to search for your lock number, if your can find it, something weird is going on, if you can't it probably got corrupted or it is encrypted. I have no idea how the code is stored, otherwise I'd be glad to help further
ryannathans said:
if you would like to investigate further, try to find a data.img editor or you might even be able to use a hex editor to search for your lock number, if your can find it, something weird is going on, if you can't it probably got corrupted or it is encrypted. I have no idea how the code is stored, otherwise I'd be glad to help further
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would honestly hope for security sake that the PIN code isn't stored in clear text .
arrrghhh said:
I would honestly hope for security sake that the PIN code isn't stored in clear text .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. If only Android worked like Windows Mobile where I could just use a registry editor on it... :X
Related
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
princearic said:
I was just curious to find out if there was a general consensus as to the better app for recovering your phone. I realize that there are quite a few that do the job. I just want to find the one that does the job and does it well, because if my phone does ever get stolen/lost, I only have one shot to get it right. Trial and error doesn't really give me peace of mind when it's something you actually need it to work.
Any opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
lralexl said:
I use titanium donate version and it does everything I could possibly ever want it to do. Will restore everything, even system settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's referring to tracking software...
I've seen some nice Tasker scripts that will lock up the phone and e-mail you its GPS coordinates if you send a certain text to it. This way you would get more for your money since Tasker does so many other amazing things.
Have you looked into WaveSecure? seems pretty good, https://www.wavesecure.com/wavesecure/android.aspx
I've heard some good things about Prey but in all honesty, it's good to keep things locked down with either encryption/passcode unlock too. I don't know the statistics on recovery of lost phones but being a pessimistic/optimist I'd say hope for the best but expect the worst. Sync your contacts/emails/etc on a regular basis (maybe once a week and you can use tasker for this), keep sensitive personal information off the phone if possible, etc.
Froyo might let you remote wipe (I heard it would be a feature for enterprise lvl stuff) but if the person who found it is tech savvy (pretty much anyone who can flash a rom) they might just pull the SIM & wipe the phone which would moot any security features you might have in place. I could be wrong though, I don't have a lot of experience in anti-theft and should probably look more into protecting my own phone too and seeing what options are available.
I do know that insurance will cover the loss but it doesn't help if you don't have a backup of all your important info somewhere. Oh, and before I forget, in addition to contacts/email you can sync your calendar too. You just need to make sure when you create an entry that you save it as a Google calendar entry and not to the phone. That way it will sync too.
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Master™ said:
MyLookout - It also has backup & virus protection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1.
10char
-bZj
Sim Checker Pro - Because if someone changes the SIM card, you can't send it a text message for other programs.
When the SIM card is changed out, it'll send me a text message (so I have the new number) and an email with the GPS location.
I also move the app from /data/app-private to /system/app as well, so it can't be deleted with a system wipe either [I just tested this.....Sim Checker is still there & it remembers my password]. Odin can obviously destroy it, but we're assuming this is stolen/found by someone who just thinks your phone is cool, not someone who knows the ins/outs of Samsung Vibrant hacking.
Another plus is if they do a wipe they'd probably lose root (forgot to verify this), which might be good as well.
From there, there are TONS of apps that will send back locations with GPS updates, Wheres My Droid is a popular example.
I would move all of these apps into the /system/app section to be on the safe side.
If I were to find a phone and decide not to give it back (hypothetically of course, don't blast me for something I haven't done), I would power it down & wipe it before doing anything...having them in your /system will help with this. I'm sure most people would probably just yank the SIM card.......either way, if you use Sim Checker, you'll be safe, but make sure you have another option like Wheres My Droid as well.
Also, I'm pretty sure if Sim Checker is in /system, it'll be able to turn the GPS on as well.
Here a screenshot of the message I get when I press the search key. I am trying to assign a function to it...but it is not working...
I guess I am missing something.....not that much of a big deal...but I would like to find out what the message is all about...
Please let me know how to assign a "function" to the key
Thanks
hogowner said:
Here a screenshot of the message I get when I press the search key. I am trying to assign a function to it...but it is not working...
I guess I am missing something.....not that much of a big deal...but I would like to find out what the message is all about...
Please let me know how to assign a "function" to the key
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert. But I suspect that this issue could be caused by a bloatware app that is necessary for that action but was moved. Did you manually remove your bloat or did you use a ROM to do it for you?
Killershade said:
I'm no expert. But I suspect that this issue could be caused by a bloatware app that is necessary for that action but was moved. Did you manually remove your bloat or did you use a ROM to do it for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is possible.....I really didn't delete bloatware apps...just renamed a few.....do you know which bloatware app controls this function so I can check?
hogowner said:
that is possible.....I really didn't delete bloatware apps...just renamed a few.....do you know which bloatware app controls this function so I can check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would THINK the safest bet for you is to back up your current apps with titanium and then back up your current ROM in nandroid and re-flash. I mean its a simple solution and requires a bit of time but unless you know exactly what you are looking for (and I am sure someone could tell you on this website) then you are more likely to cause more harm to your phone.
Sorry I can't be more help.
edit: also renamed, deleted, moved the apps. Pretty much all the same thing. The phone is looking for something and is not finding it where it should be. At least this is what I assume gleaning off the error you posted.
Killershade said:
I would THINK the safest bet for you is to back up your current apps with titanium and then back up your current ROM in nandroid and re-flash. I mean its a simple solution and requires a bit of time but unless you know exactly what you are looking for (and I am sure someone could tell you on this website) then you are more likely to cause more harm to your phone.
Sorry I can't be more help.
edit: also renamed, deleted, moved the apps. Pretty much all the same thing. The phone is looking for something and is not finding it where it should be. At least this is what I assume gleaning off the error you posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can do all that......but..even if I backup my current rom and apps with titanium.....the program that I renamed will still be there......don't think a fresh download of Perfect Storm will help..
thank you very much for helping!!
Voice search. Doesn't that control it?
I pretty much deleted everything
Im,news,wheather,stocks,Widgets(that are unnecessary)
I think the probably is. The fact that renamed them. And the system cannot find the name. System tells the user basically I cannot find the other file. Thats my hypothesis.
-Monky_1
i have been looking and tried,but havent found the solution i need to get into my phone without a factory reset.forgot password to google email and im stuck.anyone know o a solution that can be used to help me get back into my phone?
spdraycr1018 said:
i have been looking and tried,but havent found the solution i need to get into my phone without a factory reset.forgot password to google email and im stuck.anyone know o a solution that can be used to help me get back into my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you setup a secondary email account and/or cell# when you setup your account?
If so, just go to gmail on the web and resest your password using one of those.
My wife set this up, but with no backup plan incase something like this happened. So now I'm stuck trying to get in
Short answer NO
spdraycr1018 said:
My wife set this up, but with no backup plan incase something like this happened. So now I'm stuck trying to get in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Short answer No, this is one of the security features, otherwise anyone could change anyone's password.
Even if you want to take off the primary account you have to do a Factory reset. unless you have root.access With mobiles you have to treat it the same as your PC, Backup everything.
Sorry
Dang, this sucks. Ok, thanks. This phone has a sim card installed. Wonder if I could swap into another of the same phone and use that card to enter phone and get all information I need out before I factory reset...
spdraycr1018 said:
Dang, this sucks. Ok, thanks. This phone has a sim card installed. Wonder if I could swap into another of the same phone and use that card to enter phone and get all information I need out before I factory reset...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems possible if you are rooted and have a custom recovery.
Nah not rooted. Got in touch with Google and they put me in contact with the group they use for issues like this. A lot of useful info but there's nothing they can do because my wife only used the gmail to access the play store and nothing else. So basically we are sol and have to factory reset the phone. Gonna look through and find out how to do it
stop stealing phones
If it were stolen, I could just factory reset and get in. But maybe your little brain is too small to read and understand all of the words that I have written. But thanks for your useful tip!! :good:
spdraycr1018 said:
If it were stolen, I could just factory reset and get in. But maybe your little brain is too small to read and understand all of the words that I have written. But thanks for your useful tip!! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha yeah just joking bro, sorry to offend, needed to get to ten posts and i have a ****ty sense of humor
I ran into this last night, so I wanted to post this so others don't run into as well. Yesterday I was going to flash a few rows to try them out, so I made a backup in TWRP. Later when I restored the backup, it asked for my pin once the phone booted. I entered in my pin, but it said it was the wrong one. I tried restoring the backup again, but same error kept occurring. Eventually I had to do a factory reset. I'm guessing that there is no way to restore a pin, pattern, etc. So before you make a backup, be sure to turn off any lock screen security measures so you don't run into the same problem!
Problem
If you have a TWRP backup and you had a secure lock screen, when you restore it will not be the same pin/pattern/password. You will not be able to get past the lock screen.
Also if you try to restore a back up from one phone to another, it can render the fingerprint scanner useless until you factory reset. You'll get red text on your lockscreen that states "Fingerprint hardware not available"
Solution
Restore your backup. Then while still in TWRP go delete /data/system/locksettings.db
This should let you swipe to unlock your phone. Your fingerprints will still be saved and can be used once you set up a secure lock screen
Problem
If you made a backup of one Nexus 6P, and got a new Nexus 6P and restored the old phone's backup, then it may be a little different to fix.
Solution
To clear fingerprint/Nexus Imprint data, delete/move to backup:
Code:
/data/fpc/ # this seems to be related to inability to add/remove imprints, perhaps the hardware ID, I haven't checked the contents of global.db
For each user (e.g. 0), delete/move to backup:
Code:
/data/system/users/0/fpdata/
/data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml # You can actually rename fingerprints without problems, this file seems to just reference the hardware storage
Thanks to @mikexda for providing us with a solution.
Thanks to @jparnell8839 for providing the feedback on restoring backups.
Thanks to @myshen for providing a solution for when you restore a backup to a new 6P
I just ran into the same thing! Caused a great deal of grief! Oh well!
Are your phones encrypted?
tech_head said:
Are your phones encrypted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no my phone is not encrypted
Just tested this out and had the same problem. It does work OK if you remove security before the backup. For those keeping track, I am encrypted.
midas69 said:
Just tested this out and had the same problem. It does work OK if you remove security before the backup. For those keeping track, I am encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when you say remove security, you mean Screen lock = None, yes?
m0h1t said:
So when you say remove security, you mean Screen lock = None, yes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think its PIN, Password, and or Finger Print.
scoot05redss said:
I just ran into the same thing! Caused a great deal of grief! Oh well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it... I was frustrated as hell!
tech_head said:
Are your phones encrypted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is not encrypted.
midas69 said:
Just tested this out and had the same problem. It does work OK if you remove security before the backup. For those keeping track, I am encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like it doesn't matter whether you are encrypted or not.
m0h1t said:
So when you say remove security, you mean Screen lock = None, yes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes precisely! So as long as you remove it before the backup you are fine. Any back ups that had lock screen security will be useless and you will be unable to get back in.
Now what about the people that will miss this thread? I know I almost did. Going to forward this in the root guide and hope to see it there.
I've made this thread a sticky temporarily.
One should do their homework before messing with devices.
Sticky will help, I hope!
Bummer. Do we know what's breaking it and what needs to be fixed, e.g. TWRP or something else?
sirxdroid said:
Bummer. Do we know what's breaking it and what needs to be fixed, e.g. TWRP or something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like twrp which I'm sure they are looking at...
Interesting. Curious, if you restore a back up and re-enable the fingerprint, do you have to set it up again or does it save that info? Might lead credence to Jerry's paranoia about fingerprints not really being secure.
nrfitchett4 said:
Interesting. Curious, if you restore a back up and re-enable the fingerprint, do you have to set it up again or does it save that info? Might lead credence to Jerry's paranoia about fingerprints not really being secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience, once you disable the lock screen security, the finger prints are deleted and you would have to set them up again. So there would be no way for them to survive a back up.
Ok, I just restored from a nandroid TWRP Backup and I re-entered my pattern fine? Maybe it's a pin issue?
You can't use your Google account to reset the PIN?
Syystole said:
Ok, I just restored from a nandroid TWRP Backup and I re-entered my pattern fine? Maybe it's a pin issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, at this point, it looks like the pattern restores fine but the pin won't and will lock you out. Can we confirm this?
jackdubl said:
So, at this point, it looks like the pattern restores fine but the pin won't and will lock you out. Can we confirm this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strange because the pattern really is a PIN, it gets converted into a PIN anyway from what I recall.
Pattern fails also. Found out yesterday the hard way.
since the bootloader is locked,
it seems theres no way to unlock the phone anymore.
I have used this pattern for more than 3 years
so it can not be wrong.
It got corrupted. Could be a single event upset in the data partition. If it reoccurs after a factory reset either the firmware has been corrupted or there's been a hardware failure.
Malware is also a possibility.
blackhawk said:
It got corrupted. Could be a single event upset in the data partition. If it reoccurs after a factory reset either the firmware has been corrupted or there's been a hardware failure.
Malware is also a possibility.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't reset yet, trying to find ways to save data
but it's miui with locked bootloader
so it seems theres no way
sigh
ccaye said:
I haven't reset yet, trying to find ways to save data
but it's miui with locked bootloader
so it seems theres no way
sigh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's one reason I don't set device locks.
also tried to clear the data cache but with stock recovery
it seems no way to do it
blackhawk said:
That's one reason I don't set device locks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i agree
after search on google found out there are alot ppl exprienced same bug as i had
but on xda seems like no one had this before
it seems the bug happens on various brand
should just unlocked the bootloader once i have the phone
ccaye said:
yeah i agree
after search on google found out there are alot ppl exprienced same bug as i had
but on xda seems like no one had this before
it seems the bug happens on various brand
should just unlocked the bootloader once i have the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would make the phone less secure. You still would have the issue of file encryption to deal with.
Androids rarely crash but it happens.
A drop or near lighting strike can also destroy data. Redundantly and regularly backing up critical data is the only sure way to prevent data lose.
blackhawk said:
That would make the phone less secure. You still would have the issue of file encryption to deal with.
Androids rarely crash but it happens.
A drop or near lighting strike can also destroy data. Redundantly and regularly backing up critical data is the only sure way to prevent data lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true but i more worry about app's data
some apps just way too hard to back up and restore
i was going to try use EDL method to pull the file out
and reflash the phone then put the file back in
but i haven't try it
ccaye said:
true but i more worry about app's data
some apps just way too hard to back up and restore
i was going to try use EDL method to pull the file out
and reflash the phone then put the file back in
but i haven't try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If a data critical app doesn't allow for import/export of its data, I don't use it.
I use Poweramp and especially Color Note because of this. Text and Gmail are cloud backup. Less data critical apps don't concern me. I never install any social media, shopping or banking apps.
I make installable copies of all my app; no Playstore needed for a reload. Everything I need for a full reload is on my SD card, that in turn is redundantly backed up. Current load on this device will be 3 yo this June. I don't upgrade or update the firmware and rarely any of the apps.
The result is a very stable, fast Android that needs minimal maintenance.... more playtime, less downtime.