How do I get rid of PIN screen unlocking access on S5 with 4.4.4?

[AC Question]

Just bought S5 with 4.4.4 from Costco yday. Set up the Pin code for unlocking screen thinking I could choose different method later. Nope. I want to go back Swipe, but can't. No choices are listed now, except to change the PIN number. Am I screwed or can I change this without resetting the phone to defaults? Thanks!

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Did you encrypt the phone? Encryption restricts you to using only PIN or password, in general.

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Just checked, and no, it's not encrypted. It never occurred to me that I couldn't undo a choice with something like that! UGH!

 

[B. Diddy]

Try going to Settings>Security, and Clear Credentials.

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Grayed out. Not an option.

 

[B. Diddy]

Go to Settings>Security>Device Administrators​. Anything there besides Android Device Manager or Knox?

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Under Security>Device Administration, I have (none grayed out): Device Administrators, Unknown Sources and Verify Apps. Verify Apps has a checked box. Unknown Sources is unchecked.

 

[B. Diddy]

Oh sorry--select Device Administrators there, and tell us what you see.

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Ok. I have Android Device Manager (box is checked) and AVG Anti-Theft service (unchecked).

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmm. Did AVG come preinstalled? If not, try uninstalling it.

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Uninstalled AVG, restarted and nothing has changed. So demoralizing! Really appreciating your help, though! It's like you get one chance to set this dam thing and that's it! How stupid is that?

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you even able to choose password or pattern unlock? Do you use the phone as a company phone?

 

[AndroidLoyal]

It's a personal phone and I have no other choices under Lock Screen>Screen Security. It says Screen Lock and beneath it is "Secured with PIN. I'm thinking I'm going to have to blow out the phone and start over. I just went through the manual and this is all I found that is even close: "On the Apps screen, tap Settings → Lock screen → Screen lock, and then select a screen
lock method. The device requires an unlock code whenever unlocking it.
If the unlock code is forgotten, take the device to a Samsung Service Centre to reset it." What do you think? Back to Verizon?

 

[B. Diddy]

I just keep thinking that the phone is encrypted, even though you said it isn't. I hate to ask, but are you absolutely certain it isn't encrypted? And I'm not asking if you ever encrypted it--is it possible that it came encrypted, or someone else encrypted it?

 

[AndroidLoyal]

No worries! I've worked tech support (it's been a few years), so I understand the reason to keep digging. I rechecked and the way I'm reading it, it's off, but here's a screen shot. Am I missing something obvious or otherwise?

 

[B. Diddy]

Grrr [banging head against screen]. Getting stuck here. Shot in the dark, try wiping the system cache partition: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-10404

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Tried it and nothing. I'm wondering if I'm just going to have to wipe it and start over. I got the thing last week, so it's not like I've got a lot going on with it yet. Do you agree that I should just do a Factory reset and hope for the best?

 

[B. Diddy]

Won't hurt--just a hassle. I guess that would be my next step if I were you.

 

[AndroidLoyal]

I'll give it a shot and let you know. Thanks for everything you did to help! Very appreciated!

 

[AndroidLoyal]

Working through the Factory Reset. It's reloading everything now, from the Verizon Cloud. Was given full Locking Screen Menu. Chose "Swipe" and then checked back. Ha Ha! Guess what? No other choices, AGAIN! At least this one is the one I want, for now. Weird!