Removing the pattern on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The situation when the owner of Androida smartphone forgets the sequence of connecting the dots on the lock screen is one of the most common problems in technical support. The operating system Android 6.0 Marshmallow, released in 2015, is still actively used on budget devices and tablets, but its security mechanisms are already quite strict.

An attempt to enter an incorrect code more than five times in a row leads to a temporary blocking of the device, and in some cases, a requirement to enter data. Google account. If you do not remember this data, the standard way to restore access is closed, and you have to resort to more radical methods of interfering with the system.

In this article we will analyze in detail all possible unlocking methods, from soft methods with saving data to a complete reset. It is important to understand that modern security protocols make bypassing protection without losing information an extremely difficult task, especially if USB debugging was not previously enabled on the device.

Attempting recovery through a Google account

The first and most painless way is to use the built-in access recovery function, which was available in earlier versions. Marshmallow. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter a pattern, a “Forgot your pattern?” button may appear on the lock screen. or “Forgot your PIN code.”

Clicking on this button takes the user to the authorization window, where you must enter the login and password for Google accountthat was previously synchronized with this device. This is not a third-party service, but a native security feature of the operating system itself.

However, it is worth considering an important nuance: for successful authentication, the smartphone must have an active connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi or a mobile network. If the device is locked and the network is not configured, this method will not work.

⚠️ Attention: On many devices with Android 6.0, this feature was removed by manufacturers for the sake of security. If the recovery button does not appear after 5-10 attempts, this method is not available for your model.

It is also worth remembering that after successfully entering your account data, the system may take some time to check your permissions. At this moment, the screen may remain black or show a loading indicator.

Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

If soft methods did not help, the only working option is to force a reset of all data through the recovery menu (Recovery Mode). This process will delete all user information, including photos, contacts and applications, but will restore access to the phone.

To enter recovery mode, you must completely turn off the device. Then you need to hold down a certain combination of physical keys. These combinations differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, so below is a table with the most common options for the Android 6.0 era.

Manufacturer	Key combination	Additional action
Samsung	Volume up + Home + Power	Hold until the logo appears
Xiaomi / Redmi	Volume up + Power	Release power when vibrating
LG	Volume down + Power	Release and hold again when LG logo
Lenovo / Motorola	Volume up + Volume down + Power	Hold all three buttons
Huawei	Volume up + Power	Hold for about 10 seconds

After getting into the Recovery menu, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons, and selecting an item is done using the button nutrition. You need to find the section Wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action.

The formatting process may take from one to five minutes depending on the amount of internal memory. Upon completion, the system will prompt you to reboot the device by selecting the item Reboot system now.

Deleting the key file via ADB (Requires debugging)

This method is the only way to remove the lock without data loss, but it only works under one condition: “USB Debugging” was enabled on the phone before the lock (USB Debugging). If this option was active, you can use your computer to delete the system file that stores the pattern key.

You will need to install ADB drivers on your computer and connect the locked smartphone with a cable. Then, through the command line or terminal, you must enter a special command to delete the gesturing.key file.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

After executing the command, you must reboot the device. You can enter any sequence of dots on the lock screen and the phone will unlock. However, this method will only work if superuser rights (Root) are not required to access the system folder, which depends on the specific firmware.

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

If the computer does not respond to the phone when connected, it is possible that the debugging mode is really turned off or the drivers are installed incorrectly. Try a different USB cable or port. Without debugging enabled, this method is useless.

It is worth noting that in pure Android 6.0, access to the key file is often protected by permissions, so the command may return an error Permission denied. In this case, you will need root access, which are also difficult to obtain on a locked screen.

Using the Find My Device service

Google provides an official tool for remote device management, which was previously called Android Device Manager. This service allows you not only to track the location of your phone, but also to perform a remote reset.

To use this method, you will need any other computer or smartphone with Internet access. You need to go to the official website of the service and log in using the same Google accountthat is used on the blocked device.

• 🌍 Select your device from the list of available gadgets in the service interface.
• 🔒 Click on the “Clear” option device" (Erase Device).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action, realizing that all data will be permanently deleted.

As soon as the locked phone connects to the network (Wi-Fi or mobile data), it will receive a reset command. This process is similar to the action through Recovery, but is performed remotely.

⚠️ Attention: If your device has a PIN or pattern lock screen, the “Lock” function in the Find My Device service may not work to replace the password on Android 6.0 due to the security policies of this OS version.

Third-Party utilities and service codes

On the Internet you can find many recommendations on the use of service codes, for example, ##7780## or *2767*3855#. These codes can indeed initiate a factory reset, but their operation is highly dependent on the firmware and phone model.

Most modern shells (MIUI, EMUI, TouchWiz) block the execution of these codes from the lock screen for security purposes. Entering the code simply will not lead to any action, or the system will ask you to unlock the phone first.

There are also apps like Bypass FRP or Dr.Fone, which are positioned as tools for unlocking. However, the effectiveness of free versions of such apps is extremely low, and paid versions often require complex setup.

Using unofficial software carries the risk of not only financial loss, but also damage to the smartphone software, which can turn it into a “brick.”

FRP protection and subsequent setup

After successful Resetting settings (Hard Reset) you will encounter new protection, which appeared in Android 5.1 and became tougher in version 6.0. This is the mechanism FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

When setting up for the first time, the phone will require you to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset. This is done so that a stolen phone cannot simply be flashed and sold.

If you do not remember your account information, the phone will remain locked even after the reset. In this case, it is almost impossible to officially unlock the device without a purchase receipt confirming ownership.

Some users try to bypass FRP through vulnerabilities in the browser or accessibility settings, but Google regularly closes these holes in security updates. For Android 6.0, the number of working FRP bypass methods tends to zero.

Prevention and creation of backups

In order not to encounter similar problems in the future, mobile security experts recommend regularly creating backup copies of data. In Android 6.0, this function is built into the system and is tied to cloud storage.

Go to settings, find the “Backup and reset” section and make sure the “Data backup” checkbox is active. It's also a good idea to write down your credentials in a safe place, such as a password manager or a paper notepad.

Using biometric security, such as a fingerprint scanner, which became popular in the Marshmallow era, can serve as a convenient addition to, but not a replacement for, the main locking method.

⚠️ Note: Fingerprint only works as an alternative. If the phone has been rebooted or has not been used for more than 48 hours, the system will still require you to enter a pattern or PIN code.

Regular synchronization of contacts and photos with the cloud ensures that even in the event of a forced reset, you will not lose important information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to reset the pattern without losing data on Android 6?

In most cases, no. Saving data is only possible if USB debugging was enabled and you have access to ADB, or if logging in via a Google account on the lock screen worked (which is rare for this version of the OS).

What should I do if the phone requires an account after resetting, but I don’t remember it?

You will need to restore access to your Google account through the password recovery procedure on another device. If this is not possible, the only legal option is to provide the purchase receipt to the manufacturer's service center.

Will removing the SIM card help when resetting the key?

No, removing the SIM card does not affect the unlocking or resetting procedure. The pattern key is stored in the internal memory of the device, and not on the SIM card.

Is it safe to use apps to reset a password from a computer?

Using unverified software carries high risks. Many of these apps contain malicious code or require payment without guaranteeing results. Official methods (Recovery, Find My Device) are safer.

How many times can you enter a pattern key incorrectly?

Usually 5 attempts are given. After this, the device is blocked for 30 seconds. With further incorrect input, the blocking time increases. After many unsuccessful attempts, you may need to log in to your Google account.