Device security
Making sure your device is protected
Your device includes several security options, strongly recommended in case of loss
or theft.
These options are as follows:
•Set a secure screen lock on your device using a PIN, password or pattern to prevent
anyone from accessing or resetting your device. For more information, see
Screen
lock
on page 12.
•Add a Google™ account to prevent others from using your device if it gets stolen or
wiped. For more information, see
Why do I need a Google™ account?
on page 9.
•Activate either the “Protection by my Xperia” or the Android™ Device Manager web
service. Using one of these services, you can remotely locate, lock or clear a lost
device. For more information, see
Finding a lost device
on page 19 .
Verifying the ownership of your device
Certain protection features require you to either unlock your screen with your PIN,
password, pattern, or enter your Google™ account information. Below are examples
of protection features and some of the required credentials:
Factory Data Reset
protection You must unlock your screen before you are allowed to perform a Factory Data
Reset.
Protection by my
Xperia If you remotely reset your device using this service, you must enter the
username and password for a Google™ account associated with the service.
The device must be connected to the Internet before the setup process can be
completed. Otherwise, you will not be able to use your device after the reset.
Android™ Device
Manager If you remotely reset your device using this service, you must enter the
username and password for a Google™ account. The device must be connected
to the Internet before the setup process can be completed. Otherwise, you will
not be able to use your device after the reset.
Software repair If you use the Xperia™ Companion software to perform a software repair, you’re
asked to enter your Google™ account username and password when you start
the device after the repair is complete.
For Android™ Device Manager, it is necessary to enter information from a Google™ account.
This can be any Google™ account which you have set up on the device. If you cannot provide
the relevant account information during a setup process, you won't be able to use the device
at all.
Screen lock
There are several screen lock options available. The security level of each lock type is
listed below in order of weakest to strongest.
•Swipe: no protection, but you have quick access to the Home screen.
•Pattern: draw a simple pattern with your finger to unlock your device.
•PIN: enter a numeric PIN of at least four digits to unlock your device.
•Password: enter an alpha-numeric password to unlock your device.
It is very important that you remember your screen unlock pattern, PIN or password. If you
forget this information, it may not be possible to restore important data such as contacts and
messages.
If you have set up a Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® (EAS) account on your Xperia™
device, the EAS security settings may limit the lock screen type to only a PIN or password.
This occurs when your network administrator specifies a lock screen type for all EAS
accounts for security reasons. Contact the network administrator of your company or
organisation to check what network security policies are in effect for mobile devices.
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