Hardware and software setup

Download the unlock app. Screen lock on Android: how to set it up? We protect our personal information from strangers: with a graphic key, PIN code and password

Android lock screen needed not only for beauty. This is an important part of navigating the system and can be used to quickly access the functionality you need. Standard lock screens are fine, but there are even more interesting options. Android magazine has compiled a list of the best lock screen apps.

1. Hi Locker

Hi Locker offers a CyanogenMod style quick loader that works by holding and swiping on apps to launch them from the lock screen. There are three lock screen styles here: Classic, Android Lollipop, and iOS. On a separate screen is a calendar where you can view upcoming events. There are several ways to customize, including different greetings, fonts, and automatic wallpaper changer.

Price: Free

2. Lok Lok

LokLok comes up with an interesting idea, but your friends need help to implement it. The application allows you to draw on the lock screen and then send the drawings as messages to other users of this application. Messages will be displayed on the lock screen, recipients can edit them and send them back.

The beta version of the app did not allow you to set up a pin code, so the program was not the best in terms of security. But it is free and entertaining.

Price: Free

3. Next News Lock Screen

Next News is a news feed that appears right on your lock screen. It can be customized to receive only the news that interests you.

You can choose from different categories, like sports. Tap and hold on a news item to open it.

Price: Free

4.CM Locker

CM Locker features an iOS-style gesture unlock that lets you save power and remove gluttonous apps right on your lock screen. You can use a pin code or pattern to unlock the device, if an outsider tries to log in, it will be photographed.

Also here on the lock screen, you can control audio playback, view the latest messages and weather forecast.

Price: Free

5.SlideLock Locker

This application is suitable for those who once worked with Apple devices and feel nostalgic. With a gesture from left to right, you can unlock the device. There are notifications with the ability to perform actions in them, they can be dismissed with a single gesture. A gesture from right to left opens the camera.

6.Semper

This app was previously known as UnlockYourBrain. To unlock, you need to answer questions in mathematics and other disciplines, although you can skip them.

Price: Free

7. Next Lock Screen

Microsoft's new philosophy is to create cross-platform applications. This proposal is another example of this approach regarding the Android system.

Next Lock Screen looks elegant and simple, but inside it calculates which apps you're more likely to use. Time of day, location and other parameters are taken into account. After that, the application is shown on the screen. It is not necessary to use this feature, but another advantage here is the clear display of notifications, calendars and other smartphone functions.

Many lock screens have a minimalistic look, but AcDisplay surpasses them all in terms of asceticism. Small icons appear to display notifications, you need to hold your finger on one of them for a closer view, and then dismiss the notification with a gesture.

Uses the device's sensors to detect whether the smartphone is in your pocket or you are working with it so that the screen turns on and off in time.

Price: Free

9.C Locker Pro

C Locker Pro is an impressive package that has a lot of features and shortcuts. More than 30 different actions are available: you can call, open applications, read notifications from selected social networks. Double or triple tap to turn the screen on and off.

10.Echo Notification Lockscreen

Echo displays notifications in a minimalistic way and gives you flexible control over what you see and access. As you can see in the image, you can create categories of notifications such as work, social networks, personal and others, you can add different applications to them.

Right on the lock screen, you will have access to a large number of programs.

11. DynamicNotifications

DynamicNotifications is an unobtrusive lock screen that doesn't strain your eyes or your smartphone's battery. By default, it has a plain black background, notifications only turn on the screen when it's not in your pocket, bag, or face down. You don't have to use this app as a lock screen, but the premium version allows you to do that too. You can customize actions with notifications, there is a night mode when notifications will not bother you.

For a long time, the lock screen in the Android operating system did not lend itself to serious settings. However, you can't say that now. Both launchers and special utilities, popularly called blockers, can change its appearance. It is these programs that will be discussed in this review.

Some time ago, Google allowed changing the screen lock to Android only for smartphone manufacturers that develop their own skins. But gradually, third-party developers gained access to the relevant APIs. As a result, Google Play is filled with all sorts of programs that serve to change the design of the lock screen. Many of them can be downloaded for free. But you should not rejoice. Most often, such an application contains a couple of varieties of lockscreen, and the rest are offered to be installed for money.

This Android lock screen app tries to replicate the lock screen built into the latest Apple smartphones. And she does it well.

This program is not as simple as it seems. It consists of several themes at once, each of which is very attractive. The developers allow you to use one theme for the lock screen itself, and the second for the general splash screen. To unlock here, you can use the usual swipe or a numeric password.

Advantages:

  • Easy installation;
  • The interface is reminiscent of 6;
  • Several themes;
  • Distributed for free.

Disadvantages:

  • The presence of paid content;
  • The application cannot be called original;
  • Minimum functionality;
  • Technical issues on some devices.

Price: Free

The most advanced and secure blocker. It is designed for those users who regularly leave their smartphone in a public place unattended. This program will definitely not allow an outsider to unlock the device. In fact, it makes the Android operating system even more secure.

The utility offers a choice of several blocking methods at once. The easiest of these is to enter a pin code. The remaining methods are more sophisticated, but they often do not require memorizing numbers. For example, in the Offset Pin mode, you must enter a number that differs from the current time in one direction or another. And the Date Pin option will unlock the device by entering the current time in reverse order. You can also use a mobile phone number to unlock, but the creators do not recommend doing this.

Advantages:

  • A large number of ways to unlock;
  • Nice looking lock screen;
  • Distributed for free.

Disadvantages:

  • Problems with the time format on some devices;
  • Availability of paid content.

Hi Locker

Price: Free

The creators of Hi Locker have worked hard to make the interface of their creation as convenient as possible. They are also fans of older versions of the Android operating system. In fact, the lock screen is borrowed from them, while it is cleverly combined with the lockscreen implemented in the Lollipop version.

As with all modern devices, Hi Locker allows you to read notifications without unlocking your smartphone - at least most of them. The application also helps to change the wallpaper on the lock screen. Moreover, it is even possible to apply your own inscription, which serves as a kind of reminder of an event or a motivator. And after installing this utility, you will have the weather on the lock screen - the temperature can be displayed both in Fahrenheit and in Celsius.

The main disadvantage of this program is that it prevents other applications from displaying their own controls on the lock screen. For example, you can turn off the alarm only after unlocking the device. The management of tracks in the music player will also become unavailable.

Advantages:

  • Beautiful lock screen;
  • Display on the lockscreen of the current weather;
  • Properly implemented notifications;
  • Several themes;
  • The ability to create an inscription to remind you of something;
  • Distributed free of charge;
  • Multiple unlock methods;
  • Disable password entry when you are on your home Wi-Fi network.

Disadvantages:

  • Third-party applications cannot display their elements on the lock screen;
  • Availability of paid content.

Price: Free

Emoticons have taken over our world. They have become so popular that it is time to make a feature film about them. Therefore, it should not be surprising that now you can download a screen lock for Android, based specifically on emoticons. Emoji faces here are located right on top of the graphic key. Recall that this is the name of the unlocking method, when the finger moves from point to point along a certain route.

The use of emoticons greatly simplifies remembering the graphic key. The fact is that you need to remember not the route of the finger movement itself, but the order of the smileys along which you move.

The application displays the time and date on the lockscreen. Also, several additional themes are available to the user completely free of charge. In general, the utility is not the height of perfection. But for a while you can install it so that the lock screen amuses you with a lot of funny emoticons.

Advantages:

  • Popular emoticons on the lock screen;
  • Several themes;
  • Distributed free of charge;
  • Simple memorization of the graphic key.

Disadvantages:

  • The minimum number of blocking methods;
  • Gradually, emoticons can get bored;
  • The presence of a large number of advertising.

Locker Master

What is the characteristic feature of the best screen locks for Android? Perhaps a large number of themes to choose from. And it is desirable that all of them are free. And these themes should also be interactive, because it makes the lock screen animated and memorable. Why are we all this? And to the fact that Locker Master has all of the above qualities.

This application offers a choice of the best animations of various directions. The user is offered not just to put a picture. Each animation here is a special unlock mechanism! For example, a lock means typing a cipher you thought up in advance on it. And the piano keys make you play a short melody. In total, developers provide about a hundred of such diverse and unique unlocking methods.

There are also the simplest ways to unlock the device, which consist in entering a graphic key or PIN code. In the app's settings, you can find many options that customize the lock screen to suit your needs. In particular, here you can set the displayed information and assign some actions to hot buttons.

Advantages:

  • Original ways to unlock;
  • Many themes;
  • Distributed free of charge;
  • The presence of hot buttons;
  • The presence of the editor "Do it yourself".

Disadvantages:

  • Animation consumes battery power;
  • For full-fledged work, constant access to the Internet is required.

GO Locker

Another application that changes the lock screen and provides access to beautiful themes. The difference from the product discussed above is that the unlock method in all themes is used approximately the same. But on the other hand, such topics consume less battery power.

GO Locker allows you to change the clock on your lock screen. The wallpaper and many other elements also change. Interestingly, the product is open source. In this regard, enthusiasts have already released thousands of themes. And in the future their number will increase to tens of thousands! They differ from each other not only in wallpaper, but also in the location of widgets, as well as additional functions. For example, in GO Locker you can find lock screens that are perfect for a 10-inch tablet.

Gestures, a pattern or a PIN code are used here as unlocking methods. In a word, in this regard, everything is standard here. There is also a weather display. The only drawback is that the application does not allow you to choose a weather provider.

Advantages:

  • Many beautiful themes;
  • Distributed free of charge;
  • Hot buttons available.

Disadvantages:

  • Not the best translation into Russian;
  • No original unlock methods;
  • The presence of advertising.

Summarizing

This time our review turned out to be quite large. But even it did not fit absolutely all the programs that serve to change the lock screen. Google Play is literally littered with them. We tried to select the best of them, but it is possible that some "pearls" were beyond our sight.

Be that as it may, we recommend installing GO Locker and Locker Master. These apps will definitely not disappoint you. Most of all, you will be struck by the number of themes available for the user to choose from. A good option is to install Hi Locker. But this product encourages you to fork out for its full version. No less interesting program of this kind looks CM Locker. We talked about her in.

If for one reason or another you have forgotten your password, PIN or pattern to access your smartphone, do not be sad - all is not lost. Of course, all these security measures are specifically designed to protect your device from unauthorized access, so bypassing them is not so easy. However, in many cases, you can still unlock the device.
There are different ways to hack locked Android smartphones or tablets. We will talk about seven of the most effective of them.

Method 1: Use Google's Find My Device Service

The best option for most Android smartphones and tablets is to use the built-in Find My Device service, which can be accessed from your Google account on any device or computer.
True, this method only works on versions below Android 8.0. That is, if your smartphone has Android 7.1.1 Nougat firmware or lower, everything should work out.
As counterintuitive as it may sound, once Find My Device locates your phone, click on the Lock button. If the service cannot determine the coordinates of the device, try refreshing the connection by clicking on the "Refresh" button next to the name of your smartphone. Communication should be established within 5 attempts.

When you click on the "Lock" button, you will be prompted to enter a new password that will replace the forgotten pattern, PIN or password. Enter the password twice and click on "Lock" (Lock).

Within five minutes, the password will be changed and you will be able to unlock the device with the new password.

Method 2: Use Samsung's Find My Mobile Service

Samsung device owners can use a similar Find My Mobile service. Follow this link from any browser and sign in to your Samsung account. If you have not created an account, this method will not work for you, unfortunately.
After logging into your account, click on the "Lock My Screen" button in the left pane of the window. Now enter a new PIN code in the first field and click on the "Lock" button at the bottom of the screen. After 1-2 minutes, the new PIN code will take effect and you will be able to unlock your device.

Method 3. Use the "Forgot pattern" function

If your device is running Android 4.4 or lower, try using the Forgot Pattern feature. After five unsuccessful attempts to unlock the device, the message "Next attempt in 30 seconds" will appear. When you see this message, tap on the "Forgot Pattern" button at the bottom of the screen.

Now select "Enter Google Account Details". On some devices, you will be taken directly to this menu. Enter your primary Google account username and password. After that, you will either be sent a forgotten graphic key by mail, or you can change it right here.

Method 4: Perform a system factory reset

If you do not mind losing the data on your phone, you can restore access to it by resetting the system to factory settings. However, due to the new built-in anti-theft feature "Factory Reset Protection", owners of phones released in 2016 and later will need a Google Account password.
The factory reset process varies from device to device, but generally you will need to turn off your phone completely first. When the screen goes blank, press and hold both the volume down button and the device's power button at the same time. When the bootloader menu appears on the screen, press the volume down button twice to navigate to the Recovery Mode menu item. To select this item, press the power button of the device.

Now, while holding the power button, press the volume up button once. In this case, your device should enter recovery mode. Next, using the volume buttons, navigate to the option “Wipe data / Reset to factory settings” (Wipe data / factory reset) and select it using the power button of the device. When the process is complete, select the "Reboot System Now" option. Your phone will be unlocked.

If your smartphone was released in 2016 or later, you will be asked to enter the username and password for your Google Account - the ones you used before the factory reset. If you remember them, you will get access to the device immediately after you sign in to your Google account.

Method 5: Use ADB to remove the password file

This method is only suitable for those who previously enabled USB debugging mode on the device, and at the same time allowed their computer to connect to the device via ADB. If this is your case, and at the same time, the data encryption function is not activated on your device by default, then this method will suit you perfectly.
So, first of all, connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable. Open a command window in the ADB installation directory. Next, type the following command and press Enter.

Adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Now restart your phone. The lock screen should disappear and you should be able to log into your device without problems. But this is only a temporary measure, so do not forget to set a new pattern, PIN or password before the device is rebooted again.

Method 6: Boot your device in safe mode

This method is for devices that have a third-party app lock screen, not a factory one.
To boot your phone into safe mode, activate the power off menu on the lock screen, and then long press on Power off. Now, when you are asked if you want to boot your device in safe mode, select OK. Once the process is complete, the third-party app's lock screen will be temporarily disabled.

Method 7. Trigger the "fall" of the lock screen

This method is suitable if your device is encrypted, it has Android 5.0-5.1.1 installed, and it requires a password to unlock the screen.
First of all, tap on the option "Emergency Call" on the lock screen and enter 10 stars in the dialing field. Now double-tap select the entered combination, copy it and paste it into the same field so that the number of characters doubles. Repeat the same procedure, increasing the number of characters more and more, until the characters with a double tap are no longer highlighted.

Next, return to the lock screen and open the camera. Then open the notification shade and click on the "Settings" icon. When you are prompted to enter a password, long press on the input field and select "Paste" (Paste). Repeat the procedure several times. Finally, when the number of characters entered in the field reaches a certain limit, the lock screen will fail, it will “fall” and you can access the rest of the interface of your device.

What method helped you? Do you know any other ways to hack Android lock screen? Write about it in the comments.

Denial of responsibility: This article is written for educational purposes only. The author or publisher did not publish this article for malicious purposes. If readers would like to use the information for personal gain, then the author and publisher are not responsible for any harm or damage caused.

One of the simplest blockers without unnecessary settings and functions. Protects application logins with a password, fingerprint (if you have a scanner), or a pattern. To prevent the protection from triggering too often, you can set a re-block timer.

Although App Lock warns that it contains ads, during the testing of the free version, ads did not appear. If they bother you, you can get rid of ads and thank the developers through a one-time payment.

2. App Locker

Like the previous blocker, App Locker belongs to the simplest programs in its category. It also supports three security options: password, fingerprint (if the device has a scanner) and pattern. Optionally, you can choose the color scheme of the interface.

App Locker will show ads on the lock screen of apps. You can remove ads by purchasing the paid version of the app.

3.AppLock

In addition to protecting applications with a password or pattern, AppLock can be a vault for photos and videos. You can access them only by unlocking the program. Moreover, in AppLock you can set up profiles for quick management of groups of programs. With these features, the application resembles Hexlock.

AppLock is able to block access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and automatic synchronization switches. The program also has advanced security settings. Among them - the display of a system error message when entering locked applications, the invisibility of the AppLock icon and the constant change of positions of numbers on the password entry screen. These options will help confuse an attacker.

In addition, in AppLock you will find a large selection of lock screen themes.

4. Vault

The most functional blocker from this collection. Vault locks apps with a password and acts as an encrypted vault for media files, contacts and SMS. For reliability, the program stores the data entrusted to it in the cloud. Inside Vault there is a browser where you can save and use web bookmarks, hiding them from prying eyes.

The free version of the blocker contains restrictions and is filled with ads. But the application has a paid subscription to the premium mode. Subscribers do not see ads, provide additional features and bonuses: more space in the cloud, hiding the Vault icon, activating the camera during unsuccessful unlock attempts.

Liked the article? Share with friends!
Was this article helpful?
Yes
Not
Thanks for your feedback!
Something went wrong and your vote was not counted.
Thank you. Your message has been sent
Did you find an error in the text?
Select it, click Ctrl+Enter and we'll fix it!