PIN Auto Reset itself

[Ezio Crenshaw]

Guys, I don't know how useful this may be if you don't have the workaround already.
But still, here's my recommendation: Always have TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) on your phone if your device is supported.
TWRP replaces your normal recovery software (in-built software that lies between the OS and the bootloader),
and one of the many features is it's file manager.
To reset your PIN if you're having problems like this,
-Just open the file manager in TWRP
-Navigate to /data/system
-There should be multiple files which end in '.key'. Delete those.
-Then delete any files with the word 'locksettings' in them.
So, e.g. I have a OnePlus 3, and I had the following files in that folder:

gatekeeper.password.key
gatekeeper.pattern.key
locksettings.db
locksettings.db-shm
locksettings.db-wal

Note that this doesn't remove your fingerprints from the system, and I don't know those files. You can always unlock the phone without the fingerprint anyway.

 

[rachaelj]

I logged into my Samsung Galaxy to call a friend. While I was talking to her, I got a call from my mom, so I switched calls. By the time I got off of the phone, somehow my phone had changed the pin! I had the same pin for ages and didn't forget it! I've tried it 25 times and cannot get my phone to unlock!!! Did you figure out how to get in your phone when it did that to you? I can't believe this! So strange. I've never had anything like it happen before.

Thanks in advance!

Okay, so I kept reading and found where someone had restarted their 2014 Moto X. That worked for my Samsung Galaxy S4, too. So weird. I guess I'll keep my phone unlocked from now on.

 

[Dddd07]

I have a samsung galaxy s4 that has caused the same problem. It didn't recognise my pin so I pulled the battery out for 20-30 seconds and then restarted it. Problem solved for me. Hope this helps someone out.

 

[CYGNUZ]

Guys, I don't know how useful this may be if you don't have the workaround already.
But still, here's my recommendation: Always have TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) on your phone if your device is supported.
TWRP replaces your normal recovery software (in-built software that lies between the OS and the bootloader),
and one of the many features is it's file manager.
To reset your PIN if you're having problems like this,
-Just open the file manager in TWRP
-Navigate to /data/system
-There should be multiple files which end in '.key'. Delete those.
-Then delete any files with the word 'locksettings' in them.
So, e.g. I have a OnePlus 3, and I had the following files in that folder:

gatekeeper.password.key
gatekeeper.pattern.key
locksettings.db
locksettings.db-shm
locksettings.db-wal

Note that this doesn't remove your fingerprints from the system, and I don't know those files. You can always unlock the phone without the fingerprint anyway.

I was going crazy when this happened to me, thank you so much for this post, worked like a charm.

 

[houtx1]

Guys, I don't know how useful this may be if you don't have the workaround already.
But still, here's my recommendation: Always have TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) on your phone if your device is supported.
TWRP replaces your normal recovery software (in-built software that lies between the OS and the bootloader),
and one of the many features is it's file manager.
To reset your PIN if you're having problems like this,
-Just open the file manager in TWRP
-Navigate to /data/system
-There should be multiple files which end in '.key'. Delete those.
-Then delete any files with the word 'locksettings' in them.
So, e.g. I have a OnePlus 3, and I had the following files in that folder:

gatekeeper.password.key
gatekeeper.pattern.key
locksettings.db
locksettings.db-shm
locksettings.db-wal

Note that this doesn't remove your fingerprints from the system, and I don't know those files. You can always unlock the phone without the fingerprint anyway.

Worked great on Pixel C. Thanks so much, you are a life saver!

 

[Ian Murphy]

Thank you Ezio.
Same happened me on a Zuk 2 and your solution worked a treat.

Guys, I don't know how useful this may be if you don't have the workaround already.
But still, here's my recommendation: Always have TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) on your phone if your device is supported.
TWRP replaces your normal recovery software (in-built software that lies between the OS and the bootloader),
and one of the many features is it's file manager.
To reset your PIN if you're having problems like this,
-Just open the file manager in TWRP
-Navigate to /data/system
-There should be multiple files which end in '.key'. Delete those.
-Then delete any files with the word 'locksettings' in them.
So, e.g. I have a OnePlus 3, and I had the following files in that folder:

gatekeeper.password.key
gatekeeper.pattern.key
locksettings.db
locksettings.db-shm
locksettings.db-wal

Note that this doesn't remove your fingerprints from the system, and I don't know those files. You can always unlock the phone without the fingerprint anyway.

Works a treat but although it doesn't remove fingerprints from system it seems to remove the option of unlocking with a fingerprint once you get past pin lock. Maybe one of the options in the locksettings files?

 

[lady_jess22]

FIXED! WORTH A TRY.
This just happened to me and I dont have any additional security/pin apps.
I have had the same unlocking pin for years on all devices so I know I didn't type it (45 times) incorrectly.

I simply turned it off (30 sec) and back on. PIN IS WORKING! I'm guessing it was just a bug.

I was about to factory reset my Samsung 10.5 Tab and sooooo glad I didn't! Photos saved!

Now I need to go and apoligise to my 7yo Son who I accused of changing the pin code.

Note: I was never given an option to reset via Google account.

 

[Clark Cusick]

Same thing for me on multiple devices over the years. Last one I had set aside powered off for days several times. Was getting ready to reset it and gave my password a shot and was surprised to see it work. This is clearly a security flaw and should be addressed.