Database Develop

Returning Phone - Erasing Data

Hello,
My phone does not turn on properly and the screen is blank. I have been sent a replacement, and want to know how I can ensure the data on the old phone is gone and wiped and not on it when i send it back. How can I do this as the phone does not turn on properly?
Thanks

Have you tried to hard reset - hold down two soft keys in the front, while press on the power button.

I have tried that, but cannot see the screen to know if ive done it right. It registers on my PC as a mobile device, any other way to return it to stock? My friend sent his in, and a week or two later, his email and facebook was hacked, so I'd like to erase as much as I can off mine. Thanks

Mortron said:
I have tried that, but cannot see the screen to know if ive done it right. It registers on my PC as a mobile device, any other way to return it to stock? My friend sent his in, and a week or two later, his email and facebook was hacked, so I'd like to erase as much as I can off mine. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try reflashing the stock flash, it should delete your personal information. If you do it from your pc you do not need to see it on the screen as the pc will tell you the status of the flash.
You will not be able to align the screen, it will seem to be a new phone that has not be turned on to anybody who tries to turn it on after it has been returned.

cool thanks

sorry i searched for what i had asked and think i have found it.

[Q] Pattern lock -> Too many tries

I was playing around with the pattern lock and eventually got the 'Too many pattern attempts!' message, with it asking for my Google username and password to log in.
No matter what, it doesn't accept my username/password. I am 100% sure I've typed it in correctly.
This bug has been around for over a year with many people reporting 'bricked' phones without even doing anything particularly naughty with their phones.
This is the Google bug that has been posted on it: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3006#makechanges
As you can see this has been around for over a year. The 'null'-in-password trick doesn't work, nor does the spamming-home-button trick.
My phone is rooted and with the Voodoo Lagfix-only custom kernel. Any suggestions?

Do a hard reset / wipe. That's my suggestion.

Try booting into recovery (Home Button, Vol Up + Power), and resetting your cache and wiping it. Then try logging in with your Google account. If all else fails, try changing your Google password on the PC then logging in on the phone. And then if it still fails, looks like you need to flash the phone again. Next time, don't enter the thing wrong! Stop rushing haha .

I wasn't rushing, I was playing with the lock. It takes about 30 times before it's permanently requiring the username/password. But really...you can't blame me for not expecting this. :/
I'm currently trying to flash a new ROM but I've run into another problem - I can't get it to boot into downloader/recovery. It's not the lack of the 3 button combo - I've managed to reach Recovery and Downloader ONCE each in the past, but never again since.
And now with all my efforts to boot into recovery/downloader, it now cannot boot into normal usability mode (or in my case, locked mode). Instead, the Galaxy S logo loops endlessly.
Sigh.

Have you read the thread for the fix for Galaxy S variants that are lacking the 3 Button Combos? It's in Android Development. Maybe try that? Or, can you still connect the phone and connect with Kies?

I can't turn on the phone anymore, meaning no changing to USB debugging etc. And I'm having problem accessing recovery/download, even though I definitely HAVE done each of them once before and therefore do not have the 3 button problem.
Without turning on my phone, Kies can't detect it

So what happens when you power on?

Now, it shows the first Galaxy S splash screen, then shows the boot logo, then nothing. The boot logo continues to glow endlessly.

Be patient, i waited up to five minutes. If you see the s logo glowing/shining youare ok
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

okpc said:
Be patient, i waited up to five minutes. If you see the s logo glowing/shining youare ok
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's continuously shining. Haven't left it for up to five minutes though... And even then it probably won't help since I'm still locked out of the phone, and unable to access download/recovery mode to reflash it.

After waiting for a long time, the logo disappears, screen goes black. Menu and back buttons light up. Nothing else.

Looks like your going to have to reflash your phone again. Download the desired firmware, open up Odin and put your phone into download mode and start the flashing procedure. Be more careful next time.

PaulForde said:
Looks like your going to have to reflash your phone again. Download the desired firmware, open up Odin and put your phone into download mode and start the flashing procedure. Be more careful next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice considering he said his 3 button combo stopped working =))

All I did when I got that black screen was adb reboot recovery and wiped and phone bootedup fine. But only if you have debuging enable and and sumsung drivers. Hopes this help.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Can't enable USB debugging when phone can't be turned on at all.

danamoult said:
I was playing around with the pattern lock and eventually got the 'Too many pattern attempts!' message, with it asking for my Google username and password to log in.
No matter what, it doesn't accept my username/password. I am 100% sure I've typed it in correctly.
This bug has been around for over a year with many people reporting 'bricked' phones without even doing anything particularly naughty with their phones.
As you can see this has been around for over a year. The 'null'-in-password trick doesn't work, nor does the spamming-home-button trick.
My phone is rooted and with the Voodoo Lagfix-only custom kernel. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i did the same thing, and spent hours googling.
Tried the key combinations to restore, but never worked.
Heres what worked for me, but, be warned all your contacts will be lost if stored on the phone.
From another phone, call your locked number.
Answer it on the locked phone, then hit the "back" button.
This gives you full access to the phones menus etc.
Hang up on the phone you called from.
Now, go into Applications / Settings / Privacy / Factory Data Reset.
This worked for me whereas all other methods did not.
Once your phone is up and running again, be sure to create your google account on your phone.
That way your protected again. If you didnt previously have the account set up from your phone, like i didnt, then you cannot log in of course.
This works...give it a try. Hope it helps.

danamoult said:
Can't enable USB debugging when phone can't be turned on at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to be able to enter recovery mode for you to solve this problem

danamoult said:
I was playing around with the pattern lock and eventually got the 'Too many pattern attempts!' message, with it asking for my Google username and password to log in.
No matter what, it doesn't accept my username/password. I am 100% sure I've typed it in correctly.
This bug has been around for over a year with many people reporting 'bricked' phones without even doing anything particularly naughty with their phones.
This is the Google bug that has been posted on it: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3006#makechanges
As you can see this has been around for over a year. The 'null'-in-password trick doesn't work, nor does the spamming-home-button trick.
My phone is rooted and with the Voodoo Lagfix-only custom kernel. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dear friend dont worry or panic... i'll tell you a trick , go to the samsung customer care and tell them that your phone gets heated up very often and today it just refuses to boot up normally...
since your device cannot get into recovery mode or download mode the company will never know that you had played with the system files in the device or not... (rooted )..
since the samsung people will also try to get your device in recovery mode.. but when it will not go to the recovery mode you will get a mother board replacement under warranty.....
this heating up of the device is a common problem in the galaxy here in india.. so use this excuse and i know it works 100% ... (just dont tell them that you had rooted and lagfixed your device )

What you describe sounds like a very large security hole if I am reading it correctly.
Are you saying that even if your phone has been locked out from too many lock screen failures, that just answering an incoming phone call gives you full access to the phone? Really?
I just checked on my phone and while I can answer an incoming call while the screen is locked, if I hit the back button or menu button, I just get the lock screen.
I'm missing something here...
OzzYGuY said:
Ok i did the same thing, and spent hours googling.
Tried the key combinations to restore, but never worked.
Heres what worked for me, but, be warned all your contacts will be lost if stored on the phone.
From another phone, call your locked number.
Answer it on the locked phone, then hit the "back" button.
This gives you full access to the phones menus etc.
Hang up on the phone you called from.
Now, go into Applications / Settings / Privacy / Factory Data Reset.
This worked for me whereas all other methods did not.
Once your phone is up and running again, be sure to create your google account on your phone.
That way your protected again. If you didnt previously have the account set up from your phone, like i didnt, then you cannot log in of course.
This works...give it a try. Hope it helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

distortedloop said:
What you describe sounds like a very large security hole if I am reading it correctly.
Are you saying that even if your phone has been locked out from too many lock screen failures, that just answering an incoming phone call gives you full access to the phone? Really?
I just checked on my phone and while I can answer an incoming call while the screen is locked, if I hit the back button or menu button, I just get the lock screen.
I'm missing something here...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chill my dear friend.... it cant be true.... its just his 1st post.. and samsung cannot be so dumb to leave a password protected keypad that can be cracked so easily.. even i tried the back key on a call with a password lock.. i cannot get passed the lock screen....

[Q] TW Launcher Error

Okay, all!
I have been a lurker for a while now and y'all have been a BIG help (I am actually comfortable flashing ROMs- and I am learning the lingo - see?)
Now it’s my turn to post. I am helping a friend with her Samsung Captivate - AT&T. something happened last night (it had to have updated, because she doesn't really download anything. also - her battery started draining very quick last night. She had to turn it off for other reasons too.) And now get the "Sorry! The application TwLauncher (process com.sec.android.app.twlauncher) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again. Force close" it is in loop mode, I cannot get anywhere after unlocking the screen. The status bar doesn't work, neither do the buttons. So I can’t even get to settings. I/we are not so worried about the phone itself, but she has some holiday pictures of her brother who recently passed away on it, and didn't have an SD card in it. So, this is really my last hope.
Now you are probably saying "well, why don't you look at other threads." I did! And came up with some options on my own as well. Below is a list of what I have thought of, have found, tried and have some questions on. Please let me know if you have any other options or info, as I am her last hope. The store and repair shops are not very helpful.
I can’t tell you for sure what she is running, but it should be current stock, no mods at all.
bat pull - DONE, no change
sim card pull - DONE, no change
force DL a new launcher from PC. - DONE, can’t get it to download. It says she never downloaded anything to the phone from the mobile market. (I think this may have something to do with not have 4g and Wi-Fi not on. from what I have read)
Built in recovery mode cache wipe - DONE, no change
I installed Samsung kies, tried to plug the phone into the computer, but the PC won’t recognize the phone. I think it is in charge only mode, but I can’t access the option to change it.
P.S. debugging mode is ON.
Okay, so now what I found on here - these lead to my questions as well.
If I "wipe user data" will this wipe pictures, videos, etc. as well? I do NOT care about apps.
I found the below threads and have questions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1795638
Post # 2 - can I do this from the recovery screen? And will is keep the data (pictures)? I don’t care about contacts, messages, etc.
Post # 3 - cans I re flash the ROM from the SD card? (Again - NOT rooted)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1417244
Found and tried everything - it don' work Lucy.
I think this is all for the moment. I appreciate any and ALL help. She is to the point of tears about those pictures and I really want to bring her some good news.
edit: another try: press and hold search key for voice. - DONE. i get a connection error for voice. or an "app has stopped unexpectedly"

chelseytx said:
Okay, all!
I have been a lurker for a while now and y'all have been a BIG help (I am actually comfortable flashing ROMs- and I am learning the lingo - see?)
Now it’s my turn to post. I am helping a friend with her Samsung Captivate - AT&T. something happened last night (it had to have updated, because she doesn't really download anything. also - her battery started draining very quick last night. She had to turn it off for other reasons too.) And now get the "Sorry! The application TwLauncher (process com.sec.android.app.twlauncher) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again. Force close" it is in loop mode, I cannot get anywhere after unlocking the screen. The status bar doesn't work, neither do the buttons. So I can’t even get to settings. I/we are not so worried about the phone itself, but she has some holiday pictures of her brother who recently passed away on it, and didn't have an SD card in it. So, this is really my last hope.
Now you are probably saying "well, why don't you look at other threads." I did! And came up with some options on my own as well. Below is a list of what I have thought of, have found, tried and have some questions on. Please let me know if you have any other options or info, as I am her last hope. The store and repair shops are not very helpful.
I can’t tell you for sure what she is running, but it should be current stock, no mods at all.
bat pull - DONE, no change
sim card pull - DONE, no change
force DL a new launcher from PC. - DONE, can’t get it to download. It says she never downloaded anything to the phone from the mobile market. (I think this may have something to do with not have 4g and Wi-Fi not on. from what I have read)
Built in recovery mode cache wipe - DONE, no change
I installed Samsung kies, tried to plug the phone into the computer, but the PC won’t recognize the phone. I think it is in charge only mode, but I can’t access the option to change it.
P.S. debugging mode is ON.
Okay, so now what I found on here - these lead to my questions as well.
If I "wipe user data" will this wipe pictures, videos, etc. as well? I do NOT care about apps.
I found the below threads and have questions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1795638
Post # 2 - can I do this from the recovery screen? And will is keep the data (pictures)? I don’t care about contacts, messages, etc.
Post # 3 - cans I re flash the ROM from the SD card? (Again - NOT rooted)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1417244
Found and tried everything - it don' work Lucy.
I think this is all for the moment. I appreciate any and ALL help. She is to the point of tears about those pictures and I really want to bring her some good news.
edit: another try: press and hold search key for voice. - DONE. i get a connection error for voice. or an "app has stopped unexpectedly"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest doing wipe user data option. It shouldn't touch anything stored on your internal SD as you've already read elsewhere but there's always the possibility that things can go wrong. If you aren't worried about apps, text messages, and all that stuff I would also suggest looking at this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18370912&postcount=3 If you go that route I suggest the Odin KK4 with bootloaders as your one click option. Going the one-click route will start you over with a completely stock phone as far as the ROM goes but again shouldn't touch the internal SD.

whoa, dude. a lot of questions at once.
what rom was the phone running before you started?
you say it got updated but at&t doesn't do ota updates on cappy. they direct you to use minikies update packs, not kies. from samsung direct to pc, not ota.

Have u tried to use ADB to get the pics, etc. off the phone and copied to the pc ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

m1batt1 said:
I would suggest doing wipe user data option. It shouldn't touch anything stored on your internal SD as you've already read elsewhere but there's always the possibility that things can go wrong. If you aren't worried about apps, text messages, and all that stuff I would also suggest looking at this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18370912&postcount=3 If you go that route I suggest the Odin KK4 with bootloaders as your one click option. Going the one-click route will start you over with a completely stock phone as far as the ROM goes but again shouldn't touch the internal SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great - thanks! i will look at the url and try the wipe.
laughingT said:
whoa, dude. a lot of questions at once.
what rom was the phone running before you started?
you say it got updated but at&t doesn't do ota updates on cappy. they direct you to use minikies update packs, not kies. from samsung direct to pc, not ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure what rom she was on before - didn't look at the phone until today.
i think TW Launcher updated somehow. but i could be wrong. i was checking into the problem and found out about the Kies and tried that. but couldn't get the phone to connect. (i now can SOMETIMES get the notifications down.)
4-2ndtwin said:
Have u tried to use ADB to get the pics, etc. off the phone and copied to the pc ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no - please give me more info? i will try anything!

As for using adb to pull the pics, etc. off of the phone...it would be easier/quicker for u to do the search on xda and videos on youtube, as opposed to me tryin to explain it all. :thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
m1batt1 - thank you so much. I did the user data wipe and it worked! i now have access to the pictures and and downloading everything.
you don't know how happy i am, and my friend is. you have made her day!!!

4-2ndtwin said:
As for using adb to pull the pics, etc. off of the phone...it would be easier/quicker for u to do the search on xda and videos on youtube, as opposed to me tryin to explain it all. :thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will! thanks
now:
how do i change my post title to show the [solved}?

chelseytx said:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
m1batt1 - thank you so much. I did the user data wipe and it worked! i now have access to the pictures and and downloading everything.
you don't know how happy i am, and my friend is. you have made her day!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad that worked out for you and her. I would suggest making a backup of the photos and then look into moving up to some more recent roms that are posted here on XDA. They will make her enjoy her phone again and she won't have to deal with Touchwiz anymore lol

m1batt1 said:
I'm glad that worked out for you and her. I would suggest making a backup of the photos and then look into moving up to some more recent roms that are posted here on XDA. They will make her enjoy her phone again and she won't have to deal with Touchwiz anymore lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, believe me! they are already backed up.
as for the rom: she had an upgrade available, so that wast a big deal. and she jumped ship to the phoney world. LOL so no SD card anymore. now we just need to make sure we get her on the cloud. *grin*

Locked out of Xperia Z

So I'm locked out of my XZ because my baby cousin changed the pattern, how do I get back in? I don't really care if I have to reset the entire phone, I just need to be able to use my phone. Can anyone help me?

vi3tl4 said:
So I'm locked out of my XZ because my baby cousin changed the pattern, how do I get back in? I don't really care if I have to reset the entire phone, I just need to be able to use my phone. Can anyone help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just factory reset your phone with SUS, PC Companion or Flashtool.

DrKrFfXx said:
Just factory reset your phone with SUS, PC Companion or Flashtool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do I do that? I'm locked out.

Just install Sony Update Service and follow the on screen instructions.

Call me daft but I was under the impression there was a back up security screen, in the sense you enter your password wrong so many times and it pops up, or is that just on face recognition?
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

There is a backup, asking for a password if you enter the pattern wrong. You can't even change the pattern without this pin? Something's wrong here.
Gesendet von meinem Xperia ZL

Give me ten minutes. I'll mess around with mine and see if you can get around the pattern in any way.
Ps I've just cracked my screen, so the phones getting binned anyway.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 08:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 PM ----------
vi3tl4 said:
So I'm locked out of my XZ because my baby cousin changed the pattern, how do I get back in? I don't really care if I have to reset the entire phone, I just need to be able to use my phone. Can anyone help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorted mate. Just keep blasting the wrong code at the screen. Enter it wrong a few times and it will lock you out for 30 seconds after a warning message saying you've entered your password wrong. Now you will notice a button at the bottom of the screen saying 'forgotten password?' click it. It will let you enter your email address and password used for your Google play account. Provided you know it you will unlock the phone and it will jump to the lock screen settings to disable the lock screen.
Good luck.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

ok heres the trick i have a z2 also, im loked out by password if u have aces to many users as u can use it to spam the acces on the main user soft reset as manay times, 1st is the main user pops up, click to change 2nd user go to settings of users click owner user again and again back to 2nd user then to owner user, until u have the chance to access ur user owner, i tried this and it worked, after you acess the user phone u have to do as much as possible you can, got to google play account if you remember or dont make another thats ur passage way to phone administrators, once u created the acount in google play, go to device administrator check ANDROID DEVICE MANAGER, PROTECTION BY XPERIA & CONFIGURATION AGENT i would prefer to first use the android device manager more useful for this kind of situation, okay you have now the account on new or old google play account, go to the computer or laptop type android device manager on google it shows sign in sign up, sign in the account type aagin android device manager now the map is shown and ur phone location and other it says ring / lock / ERASE ALL DATA first ur phone must be connected to a wifi then click ERASE ALL DATA then its processing factory reset
02/05/17

[Q] Problems while on the phone

Hi all. I'm using my Z1 withour rooting on .136 version.
While I'm talking on the phone, I noticed that there are some problems annoyed me quite a lot.
1. I couldn't enter the chat page on any messaging apps like whatsapp, line, etc.
but I could only enter the page showing the list of chats instead. (No matter I enter the app by launching them on home screen or by pressing the notifications)
2. the three buttons on the bottom have no response if I'm not on the call in progress page. Nothing happen when I pressed back button....
3. Tried using the Note small app to jot down some info while on the phone, the small app did launched normally but I couldn't input any thing in it since the keyboard is not popping up.
I am not sure whether I'm the only one having these problems or do I have something set wrongly? These problems are so frustrating since I couldn't reply to any message while I'm making calls until I finish my call...
I tried to factory reset my phone but end up these problems are still here.

i
pakhoosz said:
Hi all. I'm using my Z1 withour rooting on .136 version.
While I'm talking on the phone, I noticed that there are some problems annoyed me quite a lot.
1. I couldn't enter the chat page on any messaging apps like whatsapp, line, etc.
but I could only enter the page showing the list of chats instead. (No matter I enter the app by launching them on home screen or by pressing the notifications)
2. the three buttons on the bottom have no response if I'm not on the call in progress page. Nothing happen when I pressed back button....
3. Tried using the Note small app to jot down some info while on the phone, the small app did launched normally but I couldn't input any thing in it since the keyboard is not popping up.
I am not sure whether I'm the only one having these problems or do I have something set wrongly? These problems are so frustrating since I couldn't reply to any message while I'm making calls until I finish my call...
I tried to factory reset my phone but end up these problems are still here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it s software problem
u should use PC companion to repair ur firmware (if u have root access it will void by repairing)
if u have root access and want it u should search for another pre-rooted firmware in dev-section that be more stable.
:good:

x102x96x said:
it s software problem
u should use PC companion to repair ur firmware (if u have root access it will void by repairing)
if u have root access and want it u should search for another pre-rooted firmware in dev-section that be more stable.
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer sticking to the original firmware at the moment but it seems I'm the only one having this problem :/
I tried to reset the device and tried to repair it.. the problems are still here unfortunately