They can’t force you to cough up a password though.
On iOS, holding the volume up and lock button long enough that the shutdown screens and whatnot start showing, will disable Face ID login and force the PIN to be entered on next unlock.
On android there’s Lockdown mode, so everyone should look into this regardless of what phone you have. Better to look up what to do now rather than when you need it
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-the-android-lockdown-mode-and-why-you-should/
I’d like a way to require a pattern outside of predefined locations or WiFi networks. Anyone know of a way?
Lockdown is great but if you fail to put it on then it’s open access for unscrupulous cops.
For almost any phone: just turn it off. Every phone I’ve used requires a passcode after a power cycle
You could try one of those automation apps. I remember seeing some triggers for entering and leaving a location, and the advanced ones should be able to use wifi connections/disconnections
Whether it can change security settings though I’m not as sure about.
On iOS, hitting vol up, then vol down, then hold power for a second will instantly lock down and also no danger of accidentally calling 911 or whatever.
It’s also the fast way to get to the power option.
Sure but holding volume up and power until the phone vibrates is a much faster and easier method and there is little worry you might accidentally call 911. It’s also easier to do without looking.
It has a countdown before calling with vibrations on every number.
It’s slower, actually.
Are you really trying to argue over ways of locking down the phone?
Just don’t ever use biometrics for anything.
But then you’ve created dozens (or hundreds) of opportunities a day for someone to get your passcode by shoulder-surfing, which you probably wouldn’t even notice in many situations. I’d argue that unless someone forcibly borrowing your face or fingers to unlock your phone is a strong possibility, entering a passcode each time is less secure than using biometrics.
Especially since the passcode also protects various security settings.
Trying to or successfully shutting down will quickly disable it. I don’t think the USA is at the point where we should all worry about arbitrary arrests.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
This very reason is why I cut off both thumbs. Can’t force me to unlock my phone with my thumb print now. Checkmate, cops.
In Android, holding power and selecting “lockdown” locks out access until your pin is entered. However, if you’re at a protest or something where illegal arrests are likely, turn your phone 100% off.
How is turning it off an improvement over lockdown? I was under the impression that the security impact is basically the same
Location tracking and recording of all activity (voice, text messages). The FBI has admitted doing so during big events like protests.
Can they force you to look at your phone though? Attention aware Face ID requires eyes ball on screen.
And as others have stated, holding volume up and power u til the iPhone vibrates locks the phone requiring the passcode.
Five quick presses of the lock button does this too, but beware as I think the default behaviour also starts a 3 second countdown to calling emergency services.
Pressing the power and a volume button for >2s (the same combination as shutting down the phone) also disables faceID and does not call emergency services.
