Don't Forget Your Unlock Method on Android 8.1, It Will Brick the Phone

Status
Not open for further replies.

Exterminator

Community Manager
Thread author
Verified
Staff Member
Well-known
Oct 23, 2012
12,527
Don't Forget Your Unlock Method on Android 8.1, It Will Brick the Phone

Android 8.1 brings a lot of exciting new options and features, but it also comes with a serious limitation as well. Forgetting your PIN, password, or pattern will leave users with a bricked phone.

Starting with Android 8.1, it will no longer be possible to bypass the protection of a device if you don’t know the PIN, password, or pattern. It’s a measure that adds another layer of security and makes a phone worthless if someone steals it.

To be fair, this is not something new on the market. For example, Apple is doing something similar with its iPhones, even if those users can’t really flash their devices. In any case, it’s the kind of modification that will most likely split the community into supporters and opponents.

Have a good memory is the best protection
You might think it’s an odd type of protection, but it’s actually very useful. Users that don’t remember their password or PIN will be at a disadvantage, but it also makes sure that someone stealing your phone or tablet won’t be able to do anything with it, including selling it. This, in turn, will make taking it less appealing.

A Reddit user found out the hard way that Android 8.1 comes with this modification. Even if it’s just a Preview, some users already have it. Unfortunately, Google didn’t say anything about this added layer of security and people are finding about it on their own.

It turns out that if you do a factory reset you no longer go through the same steps or setting up your Google device. You will have to know that password, PIN, or pattern, and you no longer have the option to choose another method.

Also, flashing the device with an older version of Android doesn’t work either, so there is no hope of getting around the protections in that fashion. It might be possible to flash TWRP (if the bootloader was already unlocked from developer options.) If not, then you can ask Google for leniency and hope that they will access the phone into RMA.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top