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Pattern Lock is a common security feature on Android smartphones and tablets that allows users to set a unique pattern that they can use to unlock their device in place of a PIN or password.

After all these years, I still prefer using Android's pattern unlock feature as opposed to a standard PIN -- here's why.

By default, Pattern Unlock uses a relatively small 3 by 3 grid on which you can draw your lock pattern.

And while some Android manufacturers replace this built-in capability with their own enhanced solutions, pattern unlock is in fact a norm on most Android phones.

For our purposes, choose the Lock option to unlock Android phone password without factory reset. A new prompt will appear where you’ll be asked to type in a new, temporary password.

In 2008, Google introduced pattern unlocking in its Android operating system, which accepts gesture input on a grid of dots to unlock a device.