Remove encryption

[Android Central Question]

Z799vl, I did not encrypt my phone

 

[VidJunky]

Your device is encrypted but you did not initiate this action? So when you power on the phone or open it from sleep, you are required to enter a code, pattern, or password is this correct? Why do you feel the device is encrypted?

Encryption is not something that just happens, it usually involves the device to be unusable for a block of time while files are encrypted. It's a pretty major operation and not one that can be done by accident because at steps in the process you are asked if this is an action that you really want to do, and it also explains that the action cannot be undone. You cannot simply turn encryption off and on. If your device is truly encrypted and this is something you want to undo you will have to backup your data by whatever means you feel are sufficient and factory reset your phone. Anything not backed up or unable to be backed up will be lost. This is the protection of encryption. Backed up data is sent without encryption, and assumes that the initiator knowingly is releasing this data, so recovered data will not be encrypted unless by the app, program, or backup data service.

 

[hallux]

Actually, @VidJunky - depending on the device, encryption may be enabled by default. It was on my Nexus 6p, and would have been the case for any device shipping with Marshmallow or newer, provided the manufacturer did not find a way to disable it.

https://www.androidcentral.com/how-enable-encryption-android

Also of note in that article, and this one is that disabling it on a device that has it on by default is a bit of a chore.