Factory reset from PC with USB debugging disabled and unrooted - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So, my phone broke and I have an older one laying around (Sony Xperia J) that I want to use while I don't buy a new one.
Problem 1: the Xperia J phone has the screen locked with PIN code and I can't remember what is the code.
I did A LOT of research on how to unlock the screen and how to factory reset the phone with the screen locked with some hacking tool or something, but...
Problem 2: my phone is unrooted, the USB debugging is disabled and my phone doesn't have recovery mode (or at least I can't manage to log on to it).
Every possible solution that I found, requires some of those options to work.
Another possible solution that I found was by using the email linked to the phone to remotely factory reset it, but when I bought that phone, I created an email just to link to the phone and I can't even remember what the email was (not to mention that I don't know it's password anymore).
I just ran out of options here. So, is there any way/tool to factory reset my phone from the PC? At this point I'm not even worried about losing data. It's an old phone, that's not a real problem.
Thanks!

Related

no keyboard on lock screen

Ok, so I have a serious problem... My phone is locked and when I touch the text bar to enter the password, no keyboard comes up. Important information:
- I just upgraded to jelly bean (the official one that came out today)
- as far as I can tell, everything is working fine, i just can't unlock it
- when I touch the text bar, it makes a noise, but no keyboard comes up
- was working fine immediately after the upgrade
- I got done fixing some settings and locked the screen
- this may have something to do with changing the default keyboard to Google Keyboard (it was acting a little funny immidiately after, like it was crashing)
- I have Android Lost installed, the unlock function isn't working, but others do work
- phone is encrypted
Unless someone has some ideas for me within the next couple hours, I'm going to wipe the phone. Obviously, I would prefer to not do that.
==========================
EDIT:
I've managed to use Android Lost to make some backups of some stuff, but I'm still trying to figure out how to unlock the screen. I've found that I'm able to install apps remotely from google play if that gives gives anyone some ideas.
=============================
EDIT2:
I had another idea. If this is a problem with the keyboard, is there a way for me to change it remotely? Can I install another one via the store?
Alright... I gave up on trying to get passed the lock screen and tried doing a factory reset. I was afraid of the super brick issue, so instead of doing a wipe in recovery mode, I used Kies to reflash it. However, that did nothing. The phone started back up and acted like nothing happened. It asked me for the same password, then got to the lock screen and had the same keyboard issue.
I've tried various roms, but nothing seems to wipe the encrypted information properly. At some point, I got it to forget the password, but it still thinks that one exists. I even rooted it and tried shostock3, but when it boots, it asks for a password. The old password doesn't work, so I can't get passed it. I tried entering the "wrong" password many times and it said it would wipe the phone, but it just restarted to the SAMSUNG boot screen and just sat there. I pulled the battery after half an hour...
I should note that stock gingerbread seems to work fine...
Does anyone have any ideas on how to wipe the encrypted data?
If you can push apps to it, try pushing an app like no lock or something.
Short answer: No.
It is probable that encryption information is stored in the efs (encrypted file system) folder. That's where the imei and other critical stuff is stored. I don't believe anyone who posts here in the I777 forum really has a grasp on how phone encryption works though. I've only seen one other person post here who had an issue with an encrypted phone, and he was unable to solve his problem as far as I know.
If you have a proper backup of the efs partition from before the phone was encrypted, it is possible that you could solve the problem by restoring that partition. But I'm not even sure you could write to that section of the phone memory with adb with the phone in it's current state. Edit: if you can boot into stock gingerbread normally, then you can restore an efs backup, if you have one.
I'm guessing you could send it to Samsung and they could fix it for you probably.
I finally got it working. I'm not sure what combination of things did it, but I had to restore it to stock jelly bean (via kies) to get it to wipe the encryption. I guess the stock rom knows how to properly wipe it when you keep entering the wrong password. After I got it all cleaned up, I put shostock3 back on. When the battery charges back up, I'm going to try encrypting it again (in shostock).
However, now I found another issue (may or may not be a real problem). I wanted to check if the phone was still unlocked, so I dialed *#SIMLOCK# and it says "Connection problem or invalid MMI code."
Tada!
Creepy, my good friend, would be referring to me and as you know SCIU I didn't ever get it to unlock the phone. Oddly enough a stock ICS rom (my mom now has my phone right up the road so I may try this to see if it will work and then go back to ShoStock3) works fine. I have nothing hidden from the phone storage, everything shows up, it is actually unlocked and rooted though not a custom bios err firmware/ROM because when that is put on there the encryption issues come back and the password is asked for. If the correct password is entered (and my KEYBOARD comes up but I didn't change it from the Android/Samsung one) it proceeds to enter whatever it is supposed to (my guess is the POST area like on a computer when it is entering Windows/Linux, etc.) but the screen stays black (ShoStock logo doesn't even appear if I remember correctly or it does show then goes to black loading screen with the Samsung logo and that is it, perm stuck). However I did try flashing back to Gingerbread ROMs and ICS ROMs though not through official KIES.
SCIU I may have to give this a try if my mom don't mind it and see if that helps fix the problem. Thanks for starting this thread. I am sorry I didn't respond to the PM you sent me (my LGOG, Triple OG, OG, TRIPLE OG, Optimus G AT&T Phone has screen cracked twice and is unresponsive on two different phones so I sent that in to warranty repair [rapid heating and cooling issues]) and haven't been on XDA for a week. If there is anything else you need to ask or bounce ideas off of me then I am all for it.
As far as encryption goes, the process works the same as any other encryption algorithms used (MD5/HASH/SHA-!, etc.) using a basic replica of most file systems although mobile storage tends to work a tad differently. Unfortunately, the freezer trick, brute force, nor any other cracking methods I was able to try at home worked to get it to open up. I tried getting into the EFS area of the phone but never could get to the directory or have it display.
Again thanks SCIU and as I stated I may give this a try if my mom don't care.
Eagle
i've the same problem here but i cann't use kies when my phone is locked .... so what can i do??
rawan-omer said:
i've the same problem here but i cann't use kies when my phone is locked .... so what can i do??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get the full stock jelly bean Odin flashable tar in the Download Repository. See link in my signature. According to sciguy125, flashing stock jb and then inputting repeatedly the wrong password will clear it. I'm not sure how many times it takes, 5 or 10 I think. I've never worked with an encrypted phone. I'm just repeating what I have read others say. I've seen the above posted by at least one other person. You should be able to flash the stock firmware using Odin. The one you want is I777UCMD8
my phone screen is locked (with word password) , Huawei, and the keyboard doesnt show up when i click the box? tried reseting it, cant go to settings whatsoever! i didnt damage my phone in any way either. need help asap!!
moselyy said:
my phone screen is locked (with word password) , Huawei, and the keyboard doesnt show up when i click the box? tried reseting it, cant go to settings whatsoever! i didnt damage my phone in any way either. need help asap!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Friend, this is the forum for the S2 (Samsung), so you won't find anything about Huawei devices here - best to ask your question in the forum for your device.
That being said if you are rooted and have a custom recovery, simply power the device off and boot into recovery and perform a factory reset from there. If that doesn't work do a full wipe (this means wiping /system), then re-flash the ROM/gapps.
me too!!! do you have some tips for me?? i almost fainted when i knew that the keyboard isnt working.... i do have a lot of important files in my phone.
Easy, you fools! JUST KIDDING lol Connect an external keyboard. Restart the phone with the keyboard plugged in and you'll have one chance to input the pass every time you restart. Good luck, bosses!
my phone screen is locked (with word password) , SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 3V, and the keyboard doesnt show up when i click the box? tried reseting it, cant go to settings whatsoever! i didnt damage my phone in any way either. need help asap!
My sumsang keyboard has stopped I cannot do nothing because is secure by password can you help please
I got the same problem but everything on my phone is fine except it doesn't let me enter the password I dnt wanna factory reset it cause I got important pictures in it any suggestions on how to get my keyboard working.
Solution that worked for me
Hello all,
I usually don't post things around, but something told me to do this, since I don't see any threads talking about this solution.
My solution was the following:
Went to google play store on my computer via chrome. Logged in to the user attached to my play store and re-installed all keyboard apps I have.
That worked beautifully and hope this helps other people!!

[Q] Locked by Android Device Manager and cannot unlock

TL;DR; I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
I wanted to share my experience up until this point. And if the physical keyboard doesn't work continue sharing. And perhaps someone else would have a miracle answer.
The story (sorry this is long - hence the TL;DR; at top) :
I had the swipe touch password enabled. My daughter was playing with my phone for some time until it deactivated the swipe-touch password and started asking for a PIN. This is when she handed it to me. My first reaction was "oh no - I don't remember this" But, I gave a few numbers some tries that I thought might work. I failed ... Then I began research on the internet. I saw something about incorrect guesses after 5 times would reveal a way to enter username/password associated with my gmail. So, I failed a couple more times, but never saw this option.
Then I found "Android Device Manager". I thought I was in luck so I quickly checked my google account and found out that I could ring my phone and the option for "Lock" was also available so I quickly locked it ... and my phone updated ... and I tried to unlock it ... and my phone tells me that it was the wrong password. What the what?! I tried again ... and again ... and again ... failing repeatedly. Why doesn't this work? Isn't this feature here to keep unfortunate people like me from getting permanently locked out of my phone or resorting to factory resets? (Ok, sure - this feature is also here to lock out thieves and help find lost phones ... but come on - it should work for this situation too!) Anyhow, at this point, sure, if I had already backed everything up or had Google+ auto-backup installed I would just delete/restore my phone, but I have photos on here that aren't backed up and I don't want to lose. I also found that if I had my phone registered with a Samsung account I could just unlock it ... but alas ... I don't have a Samsung account ... so ...
Somewhere in here I contacted Samsung and they told me they couldn't do anything and to attempt getting help from my provider - inferring that I could verify with Verizon that I am the owner of the phone and they could unlock it. So ... I called Verizon and even went to their physical store location in town and no one was able to help. They all were searching the same web-search results I was finding and suggesting things that I'd already tried. This seems kind of ridiculous to me ... I pay them the money for their services and they don't have a magical machine to help me out with this kind of thing? (Benefit of the doubt - perhaps they don't have a magical machine so that employees at Verizon can't steal phones and strip out the data themselves?) Speaking of magical machines - I did happen upon mobiletechvideos guys and was curious about them ... but I'm trying to do this without paying $30-125 and shipping my phone off if I can avoid it.
So ... I began researching other options ... reading that it is unfortunate that I don't have USB Debugging enabled ... moved on to Heimdall / Odin / JOdin3 - etc (recovery tutorial I found)... I tried flashing my recovery image ... fail ... I compiled my own versions of Heimdall with newer code even because I read that the current release version has some issues ... fail again ... oh, not a Heimdall/Odin problem - it is because of a Verizon lock on bootloader(?) ... and/or b/c I never rooted my phone(?) ... So I began researching more ... it looks like having a Verizon version of this phone makes it even more difficult. So I stopped trying this recovery image flash option and pondered what else I could try.
Then, I had an epiphany "why can't I just restore to factory and THEN use some kind of file recovery program?" BAM! How about that - there's tons of these recovery programs on the internet. BUT, I didn't want to do this to my own phone in case it failed. So, luckily, my wife has the same phone. I backed up all her data, delete/reset to factory defaults, 7 taps to the build number activating dev mode and then activating USB Debug mode, and then tried a number of these recovery programs. NONE of them succeeded. They all appear to have trouble finding and connecting to the phone. Myjad seems to get the farthest in that it appears connected to the phone, but then tells me "activate USB Debugging" and then tells me I don't have it active, but I do! Why isn't it working? Do these recovery programs only work on rooted devices? MTP/PTP don't work? Or perhaps our Android versions are too new? So I'm still stuck on these questions for this ...
This is where I am with this. I just read that perhaps I have to type the Android Device Manager password in with an external keyboard for the Android Device Manager password to work. I'm going to try that.
If that doesn't work I think I'm going to start researching a method that involves rooting the phone without delete/reset? Then perhaps I can try a recovery img flash, but I don't think this is looking promising given the Verizon lock on bootloader? So then I might try the root/delete/reset + recovery program ... perhaps a recovery program will be more flexible on a rooted phone? But, considering I have not rooted before, if this is where I end up with this - I will be asking questions about how to go about that - because it looks like it is particularly tricky with this Verizon S4 ...
If you made it this far - thanks for reading! And thanks in advance if you have some ideas.
TL;DR; (copied from top) I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
roboshawn said:
TL;DR; I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
I wanted to share my experience up until this point. And if the physical keyboard doesn't work continue sharing. And perhaps someone else would have a miracle answer.
The story (sorry this is long - hence the TL;DR; at top) :
I had the swipe touch password enabled. My daughter was playing with my phone for some time until it deactivated the swipe-touch password and started asking for a PIN. This is when she handed it to me. My first reaction was "oh no - I don't remember this" But, I gave a few numbers some tries that I thought might work. I failed ... Then I began research on the internet. I saw something about incorrect guesses after 5 times would reveal a way to enter username/password associated with my gmail. So, I failed a couple more times, but never saw this option.
Then I found "Android Device Manager". I thought I was in luck so I quickly checked my google account and found out that I could ring my phone and the option for "Lock" was also available so I quickly locked it ... and my phone updated ... and I tried to unlock it ... and my phone tells me that it was the wrong password. What the what?! I tried again ... and again ... and again ... failing repeatedly. Why doesn't this work? Isn't this feature here to keep unfortunate people like me from getting permanently locked out of my phone or resorting to factory resets? (Ok, sure - this feature is also here to lock out thieves and help find lost phones ... but come on - it should work for this situation too!) Anyhow, at this point, sure, if I had already backed everything up or had Google+ auto-backup installed I would just delete/restore my phone, but I have photos on here that aren't backed up and I don't want to lose. I also found that if I had my phone registered with a Samsung account I could just unlock it ... but alas ... I don't have a Samsung account ... so ...
Somewhere in here I contacted Samsung and they told me they couldn't do anything and to attempt getting help from my provider - inferring that I could verify with Verizon that I am the owner of the phone and they could unlock it. So ... I called Verizon and even went to their physical store location in town and no one was able to help. They all were searching the same web-search results I was finding and suggesting things that I'd already tried. This seems kind of ridiculous to me ... I pay them the money for their services and they don't have a magical machine to help me out with this kind of thing? (Benefit of the doubt - perhaps they don't have a magical machine so that employees at Verizon can't steal phones and strip out the data themselves?) Speaking of magical machines - I did happen upon mobiletechvideos guys and was curious about them ... but I'm trying to do this without paying $30-125 and shipping my phone off if I can avoid it.
So ... I began researching other options ... reading that it is unfortunate that I don't have USB Debugging enabled ... moved on to Heimdall / Odin / JOdin3 - etc (recovery tutorial I found)... I tried flashing my recovery image ... fail ... I compiled my own versions of Heimdall with newer code even because I read that the current release version has some issues ... fail again ... oh, not a Heimdall/Odin problem - it is because of a Verizon lock on bootloader(?) ... and/or b/c I never rooted my phone(?) ... So I began researching more ... it looks like having a Verizon version of this phone makes it even more difficult. So I stopped trying this recovery image flash option and pondered what else I could try.
Then, I had an epiphany "why can't I just restore to factory and THEN use some kind of file recovery program?" BAM! How about that - there's tons of these recovery programs on the internet. BUT, I didn't want to do this to my own phone in case it failed. So, luckily, my wife has the same phone. I backed up all her data, delete/reset to factory defaults, 7 taps to the build number activating dev mode and then activating USB Debug mode, and then tried a number of these recovery programs. NONE of them succeeded. They all appear to have trouble finding and connecting to the phone. Myjad seems to get the farthest in that it appears connected to the phone, but then tells me "activate USB Debugging" and then tells me I don't have it active, but I do! Why isn't it working? Do these recovery programs only work on rooted devices? MTP/PTP don't work? Or perhaps our Android versions are too new? So I'm still stuck on these questions for this ...
This is where I am with this. I just read that perhaps I have to type the Android Device Manager password in with an external keyboard for the Android Device Manager password to work. I'm going to try that.
If that doesn't work I think I'm going to start researching a method that involves rooting the phone without delete/reset? Then perhaps I can try a recovery img flash, but I don't think this is looking promising given the Verizon lock on bootloader? So then I might try the root/delete/reset + recovery program ... perhaps a recovery program will be more flexible on a rooted phone? But, considering I have not rooted before, if this is where I end up with this - I will be asking questions about how to go about that - because it looks like it is particularly tricky with this Verizon S4 ...
If you made it this far - thanks for reading! And thanks in advance if you have some ideas.
TL;DR; (copied from top) I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you have on your phone that you are worried about deleting? If it's contacts that should be saved with your google account. If it's pictures, you should keep dropbox installed so it always backs up your pictures. Now here's how to save your phone. Factory reset it. That's your only option.
You ask
i7vSa7vi7y said:
What do you have on your phone that you are worried about deleting? ... If it's pictures, you should keep dropbox installed so it always backs up your pictures. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I originally stated
roboshawn said:
Anyhow, at this point, sure, if I had already backed everything up or had Google+ auto-backup installed I would just delete/restore my phone, but I have photos on here that aren't backed up and I don't want to lose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So yes, I understand the problem and what I could have done, but harping on that doesn't help me recover the photos.
But enough of that - it is done. So what next?
I tried the physical keyboard connected and it had no difference. I even reset the lock with Android Device Manager in the web browser and then disconnected that keyboard from the computer and used it on my phone. No luck.
The fact that this phone does not properly work with Android Device Manager is infuriating because it really should! And what's happened to me really shouldn't be a problem.
So yes - the next option appears to be to reset to factory. BUT. It still seems like there may be a way to save these photos with a recovery software if I am able to root the phone immediately following the reset. If it doesn't work then I'll just have lost those photos.
roboshawn said:
You ask
I originally stated
So yes, I understand the problem and what I could have done, but harping on that doesn't help me recover the photos.
But enough of that - it is done. So what next?
I tried the physical keyboard connected and it had no difference. I even reset the lock with Android Device Manager in the web browser and then disconnected that keyboard from the computer and used it on my phone. No luck.
The fact that this phone does not properly work with Android Device Manager is infuriating because it really should! And what's happened to me really shouldn't be a problem.
So yes - the next option appears to be to reset to factory. BUT. It still seems like there may be a way to save these photos with a recovery software if I am able to root the phone immediately following the reset. If it doesn't work then I'll just have lost those photos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well looks like the only thing you can do is not repeat the same mistake. Factory reset your phone set it up and get dropbox or google drive also root your phone and have usb debugging.
roboshawn said:
So yes - the next option appears to be to reset to factory. BUT. It still seems like there may be a way to save these photos with a recovery software if I am able to root the phone immediately following the reset. If it doesn't work then I'll just have lost those photos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. This is how it went.
I reset to factory defaults.
I enabled USB Debugging.
I rooted my phone using the guide over here How to root i545vrufnk1.
I tried various recovery photo/file programs such as Myjad, Yodot, Tenorshare, etc. These programs advertise that they can restore photos after a factory reset. None of them found my old photos. I didn't pay for any of these - I was just using their trial versions. If anyone has used one of these or something like it and had it succeed after a factory reset - please let me know.
I set up Google+ backup.
Next step I'll probably take as additional precaution is to setup the Samsung account service.
To reiterate - this is utterly frustrating that the Android Device Manager remote lock solution does not work for these phones - it goes so far as to tease you with the functionality, but essentially permanently lock your phone.
For anyone else looking to solve this problem - you may or may not have success depending on if you have a samsung account or usb debugging already on or a phone that is not exactly an I545, check out these links:
[RESOLVED] HELP please!! Unable to unlock device locked by Google Device Manager
How to Recover Photos and Data From a Keylocked Android Phone
Samsung Account
Good luck and fix your stuff - Samsung and Google!!!
If you reboot to recovery you should be able to use adb to pull files even without debugging turned on is the OS?
I'm having the exact same problem on my nexus 10 did you ever solve it? Seems really stupid that the adm lock function is so broken
I just had the same problem with a Samsung Galaxy S5. I solved the problem and unlocked my phone. Suggest the following if you locked your phone with a lock pattern:
1) Try the wrong pattern 5 times
2) You will see a message asking if you," Forgot Password"
3) Tap that message and you will be presented with a screen requesting your email and password.
4) Use your Google credentials and you will be able to unlock your phone.
Good luck!
change the lock pattern from settings
Go to settings>security and change your home lock screen.This worked for me.
ADM - Blessing and a curse?
Ok so yesterday my wife's phone was stolen out of a car. First we had AT&T shut down the services. According to the history, the attacker actually tried to access Paypal, and tried for a couple of minutes and gave up when he didn't get anywhere. He sent a password reset, that didn't go through. Then I found the ADM and turned on the Lock-screen with a message to call me. According to those who found the phone, the attacker apparently threw the phone underneath a car in a parking lot. The ADM-lock screen allowed them to call me... "Thank you 'Google!'"
Now to the bad news: I cannot get it to 'UNLOCK!'. No password I put in works. And when I attempt to reset the lock I get: "Since Google has verified that a screen lock is already set, the password you entered won't be needed". I guessing this means that it won't alter the password or it can't. Many people all over the internet have come up with all sorts of ideas for this. But I don't see anything 'satisfactory'. Besides just a complete 'reset'. So I really have killed the phone I just recovered? Meaning the ADM is also a 'Curse'? With sarcasm: "Thank you 'Google!'"
This is a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active SGH-I537. I've already attempted to hook up an USB cable, I see nothing. I'm pretty sure that USB debugging is not enabled.
I can enter the password 15-20 times, it never offers me for a 'forget password'. It sometimes says that I need to wait 30 seconds. It keeps tract of how many so-called bad attempts.
PS: I got it... After 30 guesses. The first password apparently stuck. Apparently I wasn't thinking too much, and I put in 'dude'. LOL. And it is now unlocked.
You are living my Exact Story!!
I have a Galaxy S4, and I had a pattern lock on my screen. I also have a 2-year-old, who unfortunately got ahold of my phone and locked it out. It's asking me for the backup Pin- which I've entered over and over, but it keeps saying it's incorrect. Now I have one try left before a factory reset Please help!! I don't want to loose all my memories of the precious (however difficult) daughter
It's also started having a white pop up box that says "Unfortunately, phone has stopped." Then asks me to click ok- it goes away for 5 seconds then pops back up again.
I have already contacted Verizon both over phone and went into the store. Both told me they could not help.. also already went to the Android Device Manager and tried to lock it so I could at least call my husband- I put in the Call Owner thing...
SO FRUSTRATING!!!! Anyway- still don't know what to do..... But just couldn't help but reply when I read your story- It was serious deja vu!!!!!
roboshawn said:
TL;DR; I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
I wanted to share my experience up until this point. And if the physical keyboard doesn't work continue sharing. And perhaps someone else would have a miracle answer.
The story (sorry this is long - hence the TL;DR; at top) :
I had the swipe touch password enabled. My daughter was playing with my phone for some time until it deactivated the swipe-touch password and started asking for a PIN. This is when she handed it to me. My first reaction was "oh no - I don't remember this" But, I gave a few numbers some tries that I thought might work. I failed ... Then I began research on the internet. I saw something about incorrect guesses after 5 times would reveal a way to enter username/password associated with my gmail. So, I failed a couple more times, but never saw this option.
Then I found "Android Device Manager". I thought I was in luck so I quickly checked my google account and found out that I could ring my phone and the option for "Lock" was also available so I quickly locked it ... and my phone updated ... and I tried to unlock it ... and my phone tells me that it was the wrong password. What the what?! I tried again ... and again ... and again ... failing repeatedly. Why doesn't this work? Isn't this feature here to keep unfortunate people like me from getting permanently locked out of my phone or resorting to factory resets? (Ok, sure - this feature is also here to lock out thieves and help find lost phones ... but come on - it should work for this situation too!) Anyhow, at this point, sure, if I had already backed everything up or had Google+ auto-backup installed I would just delete/restore my phone, but I have photos on here that aren't backed up and I don't want to lose. I also found that if I had my phone registered with a Samsung account I could just unlock it ... but alas ... I don't have a Samsung account ... so ...
Somewhere in here I contacted Samsung and they told me they couldn't do anything and to attempt getting help from my provider - inferring that I could verify with Verizon that I am the owner of the phone and they could unlock it. So ... I called Verizon and even went to their physical store location in town and no one was able to help. They all were searching the same web-search results I was finding and suggesting things that I'd already tried. This seems kind of ridiculous to me ... I pay them the money for their services and they don't have a magical machine to help me out with this kind of thing? (Benefit of the doubt - perhaps they don't have a magical machine so that employees at Verizon can't steal phones and strip out the data themselves?) Speaking of magical machines - I did happen upon mobiletechvideos guys and was curious about them ... but I'm trying to do this without paying $30-125 and shipping my phone off if I can avoid it.
So ... I began researching other options ... reading that it is unfortunate that I don't have USB Debugging enabled ... moved on to Heimdall / Odin / JOdin3 - etc (recovery tutorial I found)... I tried flashing my recovery image ... fail ... I compiled my own versions of Heimdall with newer code even because I read that the current release version has some issues ... fail again ... oh, not a Heimdall/Odin problem - it is because of a Verizon lock on bootloader(?) ... and/or b/c I never rooted my phone(?) ... So I began researching more ... it looks like having a Verizon version of this phone makes it even more difficult. So I stopped trying this recovery image flash option and pondered what else I could try.
Then, I had an epiphany "why can't I just restore to factory and THEN use some kind of file recovery program?" BAM! How about that - there's tons of these recovery programs on the internet. BUT, I didn't want to do this to my own phone in case it failed. So, luckily, my wife has the same phone. I backed up all her data, delete/reset to factory defaults, 7 taps to the build number activating dev mode and then activating USB Debug mode, and then tried a number of these recovery programs. NONE of them succeeded. They all appear to have trouble finding and connecting to the phone. Myjad seems to get the farthest in that it appears connected to the phone, but then tells me "activate USB Debugging" and then tells me I don't have it active, but I do! Why isn't it working? Do these recovery programs only work on rooted devices? MTP/PTP don't work? Or perhaps our Android versions are too new? So I'm still stuck on these questions for this ...
This is where I am with this. I just read that perhaps I have to type the Android Device Manager password in with an external keyboard for the Android Device Manager password to work. I'm going to try that.
If that doesn't work I think I'm going to start researching a method that involves rooting the phone without delete/reset? Then perhaps I can try a recovery img flash, but I don't think this is looking promising given the Verizon lock on bootloader? So then I might try the root/delete/reset + recovery program ... perhaps a recovery program will be more flexible on a rooted phone? But, considering I have not rooted before, if this is where I end up with this - I will be asking questions about how to go about that - because it looks like it is particularly tricky with this Verizon S4 ...
If you made it this far - thanks for reading! And thanks in advance if you have some ideas.
TL;DR; (copied from top) I'm locked out of my phone by Android Device Manager and typing the password in that I gave it is not working using the virtual keyboard. I'm going to try a physical keyboard next as per (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2767278) ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might work
KateJuleLynn said:
I have a Galaxy S4, and I had a pattern lock on my screen. I also have a 2-year-old, who unfortunately got ahold of my phone and locked it out. It's asking me for the backup Pin- which I've entered over and over, but it keeps saying it's incorrect. Now I have one try left before a factory reset Please help!! I don't want to loose all my memories of the precious (however difficult) daughter
It's also started having a white pop up box that says "Unfortunately, phone has stopped." Then asks me to click ok- it goes away for 5 seconds then pops back up again.
I have already contacted Verizon both over phone and went into the store. Both told me they could not help.. also already went to the Android Device Manager and tried to lock it so I could at least call my husband- I put in the Call Owner thing...
SO FRUSTRATING!!!! Anyway- still don't know what to do..... But just couldn't help but reply when I read your story- It was serious deja vu!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i too had locked my nubia device through android device manager.
it can be bypassed by rebooting into recovery mode and you need to format /data and /cache.
after this restart your phone through recovery mode it may take 5 to 10 minutes to finally show "android is updating your apps " something like this.
this method worked on my nubia mini and i thing technically it might work on every android phone that is capable of booting into recovery mode.
this method would not delete your photos,music,etc.
only contacts and app data will be gone,i am sure that won't be an issue.
NITLOC1 said:
i too had locked my nubia device through android device manager.
it can be bypassed by rebooting into recovery mode and you need to format /data and /cache.
after this restart your phone through recovery mode it may take 5 to 10 minutes to finally show "android is updating your apps " something like this.
this method worked on my nubia mini and i thing technically it might work on every android phone that is capable of booting into recovery mode.
this method would not delete your photos,music,etc.
only contacts and app data will be gone,i am sure that won't be an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This method WILL delete all data that is on the device! This will only not happen if your using a custom recovery solution!
Please be careful when giving advice.
If you log into the Android device manager website, it will assist you in unlocking your device. You can set up a password to bypass the pin lock, and make sure you don't lose your data
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Can you just not flash system... I know there is a nc5 emergency no wipe for odin.. should be one for other firmwares, no?
Samsung SM-T531 Google locked
Hi All
Customer came in with a tablet that was stolen, google locked by her, but later recovered.
In short, this is where i'm at. ADM with her login details, unable to remotely unlock.
When blocking she used a password and device is asking for a PIN instead.
Device wont boot into recovery mode to factory reset.
Cant access device to connect to a network..
I cant think of another way around this.. ANYBODY, PLEASE HELP?
Android Device Manager Samsung Resolution
I read this in another forum, can't remember exactly where but if its your Samsung device use the find my Samsung app. Lock you phone then it may take a minute but the Samsung proprietary app will take over and lock your device. This will allow you entry into the device. Set the screen time out for 30 min then backup your device. This worked my Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
My phone did not originally have a lock screen until i used the Android Device Manager. Each time I entered the password it was incorrect. I wasn't presented with an option to enter my email after 5 attempts either. After completing this procedure the option to remove the lock screen was still unavailable as I didn't know the password that was set. I was able to backup my device and reset.
Hope this helps
how can you able to unlock when it is locked by ADM??
Same thing with my Galaxy S5. Many, many times of password & pin incorrect over 5 days, 8 hours of phone & online with AT&T and Samsung and in-store visits. Finally, I did Findmymobile again. The unlock feature never did show up on the left side, but I right (I think) clicked on the location when it found my phone and unlocked it. I was so surprised that I didn't even realize my home screen was visible for at least a half minute. It's worth a try, 'cause I did the same stuff as all of you have said without any good results.
This worked!
microi said:
I just had the same problem with a Samsung Galaxy S5. I solved the problem and unlocked my phone. Suggest the following if you locked your phone with a lock pattern:
1) Try the wrong pattern 5 times
2) You will see a message asking if you," Forgot Password"
3) Tap that message and you will be presented with a screen requesting your email and password.
4) Use your Google credentials and you will be able to unlock your phone.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I left my device at a Starbucks and didn't realize until I got home. I went into my Google account to change password and found I could locate my locate and lock it so I did. It located the device exactly where I left it - at Stuckbucks. So, I went back in the morning to recover it...with a locked home screen with my message on it. Unable to unlock directly on the device. I went back home to research this on my desktop. Google Account doesn't have unlock device feature so I used the search engine and found this forum. I followed the instructions and bingo, my device is now unlocked! I was about ready to get a new device!

[Q] Android PIN Glitch, Cant Get Into Phone; Have Gmail Account; Will Not Hard Reset

So I have spent a lot of time running around trying to solve this. I think describing my problem will hopefully eliminate chasing dead ends.
The Problem:
My android OS is the one right before Lollipop. I have ALWAYS had the same PIN to get into my phone for years (7355608 The bomb code from Counter-Strike lol). Randomly (So it seemed) my Phone decided I didn't need a lock screen any more and it was gone. When i noticed this I went back into the options and set it back again. using the same PIN i always have. I try to get into my phone and the PIN does not work. I have found while digging around that I am not the only one with this issue. My phone is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
Added: The Update to Lollipop is waiting to be installed lol. Cant click on it since I cant get into my phone. But I dont think updating will help me at all anyways.
Additional Details:
I have a GMail account on my phone. I know the password. I had used USB Debugging Mode at one time and have the "developers options" opened. Doesn't seem to help because until you can unlock the PIN it wont connect to the PC to see or have any access to files or anything. I CAN NOT do a hard reset as there is valuable information to the point where i would pay to have this problem solved. My phone is NOT rooted or "unlocked" (unlocked as in stuck on one carrier)
What I Have Tried:
Android Device Manager - Doesn't nothing, when I use the LOCK phone it just tells me "You already have a PIN none was set"
AROMA - Starting on this but my phone is not rooted so I am not familiar with Android and every one that wrote a guide seems way to vague so I'm still researching this attempt on my on. AROMA is installed but apparently needs CWM (ClockworkMod) and installing that while locked out is where I currently am in this attempt.
Update: I don't understand what they mean by "Flashing" (I'm just going to throw it at a strobe light) and found out CWM is not needed if I can Flash it...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2225695
XDA - XDA apparently has this method of using USB Debugging Mode and the Android Studio. But when I run the commands in the prompt it just tells it cant find the drive or something (I am thinking this is due to it not actually connecting the drive to the PC so it is being blocked from accessing what is needed to connect properly.
Repeated Failed attempts - This only works for Pattern Lock. Not PIN lock. FAILED.
I am willing to do anything to my phone to get my data back. Thanks.
Final Note: I just need all the data from the phone. If there is a way to get my data from the phone and then do a hard reset then I dont mind doing the reset. My goal is to get the irreplaceable information. Worst case I will buy a new phone and wait until this technology is old and easy to hack lol
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2244741&page=3

[Q] Need to bypass pattern lock screen or do factory reset

I checked this topic but I saw that most answers are from 2014 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2769341&page=3&nocache=1
In this year Z2 got 5.0 update and I want to ask if there is good way of getting into recovery mode. When I reset device it doesn't show notification light it justs restarts.
I need to do factory reset or somehow bypass pattern lock screen on android 5.0, my brilliant sister forgot what her pattern is. Can anyone give me some tips how to do that?
j3drz3j said:
I checked this topic but I saw that most answers are from 2014 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2769341&page=3&nocache=1
In this year Z2 got 5.0 update and I want to ask if there is good way of getting into recovery mode. When I reset device it doesn't show notification light it justs restarts.
I need to do factory reset or somehow bypass pattern lock screen on android 5.0, my brilliant sister forgot what her pattern is. Can anyone give me some tips how to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gesture file is in /data/system/gesture.key
All you need to do is delete this file.
If You have root access, adb debugging enabled then you can probably do it via ADB.
If you have unlocked bootloader then you can just delete this single file from the recovery (by flashing boot.img).
If You don't have an unlocked bootloader then you could try to find a way to just install some recovery (idk if it's possible).
However, if You can't connect to your phone, then the only option to get rid of lock screen is wiping the phone.
You can do it by flashing new ftf file and leaving "wipe data" option checked (it will also wipe Your internal storage).
Actually I found even easier way to factory reset device.
You can get to your devices on google play and from there factory reset your device remotely. Nice trick to remember.
j3drz3j said:
Actually I found even easier way to factory reset device.
You can get to your devices on google play and from there factory reset your device remotely. Nice trick to remember.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH yeah. You're right, didn't think about that as Google anti theft isn't such a good app.
Sent from Xperia Z2
Luckily not from an iPhone = Yesterdays technology at tomorrows prices

Forgotten Lock Pin. Bypass without data loss?

Hello everybody,
I'm currently seeking some problems. My mom forgot her code (she used fingerprint only) and now she can't access any of her data anymore.
I was trying to crack it open, for now. All togehther: USB Debugging is off, OEM Lock is on. After some research, I tried the "fastboot boot twrp.img". But as it seems no SAMSUNG device has the fastboot option at all.
So I was wondering, if it would be possible, to somehow recover the data on the phone, or remove the lock pattern completely.
Would it be possible, to hard reset, and recover the files after that?
I really need help with that, the data is really relevant.
The Device is a Samsung Galaxy A80 with the modelnr. SM-A805F/DS
Couldn't fix it .. had to reset it.
@hainguyenthao tried to help me, but he couldn't (it was my fault). For everyone which is seeking the same problem:
1. DON'T restart the phone
2. Plug it in to a charger to avoid draining the battery
3. If you have your google account, and still can reach the phone through "find my device" write @hainguyenthao a pm
What if we can't access our Google account any way to flash? Or restart a80 ?

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