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
on the 12 page.
•
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 the 10 page.
•
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
on the 19 page.
Verifying the Ownership of Your Device
Certain protection features require you to either unlock your screen with your PIN,
password, or 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 homescreen.
•
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 lockscreen type to only a PIN or password.
This occurs when your network administrator specifies a lockscreen type for all EAS accounts
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