Question

What I am doing

I need to remove (clear) Pattern/ Password/ Pin from device, for corporate policy. I am using resetPassword (String password, int flags) of Device Admin API.

as

public boolean resetPassword(String newPassword) {
        if(ActivityManager.isUserAMonkey()) {
            // Don't trust monkeys to do the right thing!
            AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(this.context);
            builder.setMessage("You can't reset my password because you are a monkey!");
            builder.setPositiveButton("I admit defeat", null);
            builder.show();
            return false;
        }
        boolean active = mDPM.isAdminActive(mDeviceAdmin);
        if(active) {
            return mDPM.resetPassword(newPassword.trim(), DevicePolicyManager.RESET_PASSWORD_REQUIRE_ENTRY);
        }
        return false;
    }

By calling

resetPassword("");

Problem description

If Pattern lock is activated on device and OS version is 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2, and I call resetPassword("") it gives me a security exception for

WRTITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission. But this permission can accessible by firmware applications.

This issue is discussed at following pages

Device Policy Manager – Reset Password – Android 3.0 Problems
and
Device Policy Manager – Reset Password – Android 3.0 Problems

So, My question is how can I clear the Pattern Lock on 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2 versions?

Answer 1

how can I clear the Pattern Lock on 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2 versions?

You can’t, apparently, except as an app installed as part of the firmware.