How to unlock android phone through code remotely

Question

I have written an application that locks android phone remotely. That is when a special code is sent from server then application locks the phone based on the special code. This is the code I am using.

if (!mDPM.isAdminActive(mDeviceAdminSample)) {
        // try to become active – must happen here in this activity, to get result
        Intent intent = new Intent(DevicePolicyManager.ACTION_ADD_DEVICE_ADMIN);
        intent.putExtra(DevicePolicyManager.EXTRA_DEVICE_ADMIN,mDeviceAdminSample);
        intent.putExtra(DevicePolicyManager.EXTRA_ADD_EXPLANATION,"Admin is added to do security operation.");
        startActivityForResult(intent, 0);
        } else {
        // Already is a device administrator, can do security operations now.
        mDPM.lockNow();
        }

The above code is working and it's locking the phone.

I am able to unlock the phone by entering password from soft keypad. Is there any way to unlock it through code?

My question is how to unlock the phone through code.(This unlocking should be done remotely in the manner I explained for locking)

Answer 1

I believe you cannot override the built-in screen-lock unless you make your own device like Samsung and HTC do. However, by having your customers use your own screen-lock-like app you probably can achieve what you are trying to do.

Answer 2

I do not think your remote unlock goal is achievable.

The way Android is set up, is that many apps may have Device Administrator privilege, and any Device Administrator can issue a lock command, but the unlock has to come from the user.

I can suggest one thing you to simplify this: Your app could try to remove the key lock password, and then the user can use the device without a code simply by sliding a finger on the screen.

Now there is a snag in what I suggested, if your app is not the only device administrator. In that case, some other administrator app could set a minimum password length (or some other password restriction) which would prevent your app from clearing the screen lock password.

If your goal is to help a user that forgot his/her screen lock password, then your server could invent a new password, inform the user what the new password is, and also send the new password to your app and your app could apply the password. The user can then unlock the phone. Do not worry, it is not as complicated as it sounds.